Anyone who knows me, knows that patience is not exactly my forte. As I sit here waiting… first for my blood test, now to see the oncologist, and then finally for my chemo to actually start later, I’m thinking of how patience has been forced upon me. What choice do I have right? Everyone in this room is like me. You can’t be annoyed or impatient about that. We all sit here together, strangers with a common reality, a very sad reality.
While I wait, I watch. I would say the average age of most patients is 75. Some in their 60s, a few in their 50s, and only me right now in the 40s. As much as this sucks, looking around the room I’m happy I am young enough to fight this with the stamina and strength of this age. Because most of these elderly are definitely struggling and their bodies are frail. Knowing the rigours of cancer and chemo, their reality is much more challenging than mine. When the oncologist told me in October that he was not concerned about how I would handle it, I now understand what he meant.
Also as I wait, I’m thinking of my dear friend Kevin. Today would have been his birthday… ironic that my last chemo falls on this day. Soon it will also be the 4th year anniversary of his death to this disease that I am now also fighting. Kevin was a rockstar, an inspiration, a fighter to the end. I wish he was here today, telling me to not sweat the small stuff… telling me I will survive this. I wish this disease wasn’t so deadly, because the reality is terrifying.
But Kevin wouldn’t want me to focus on the negative, he would be telling me to fight. And that’s what I’m doing. This last chemo will be as much of a celebration as it can be! We will make it so!
Great news is that now it’s over!! I received my chemo completion diploma (no joke!). I intend to burn it to ashes on the beaches of Mexico!
And I got to ring the chemo bell with Madison and Shane by my side and Dan as the videographer (clink on the link for the video of the bell ringing)! We followed with a celebratory lunch at Dos Mariachis!
http:/Finally, a huge hug and thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way through this first half of the journey. It’s not over yet, but I think the worst is behind us, or I hope so anyway!
These were pictures from my 6 chemos, with the exception of the second because we forgot to take one so I put in a substitute! Lol
Now I start the process of the chemo side effects… wish me luck! I will be out of commission for the next 10 days or so.
Oh!!! I almost forgot!!! The PICC line is out! YAY!
❤️🙏💪💪💪
A huge episode of your journey to recovery is over! I’m super happy for you and you did it like the best patient that any doctor can ask for. So proud of you!
Thanks Karen! I can’t wait to say it’s ALL over and going back to work!
Congratulations Ann-Marie!!! Completing chemo, removal is picc- huge step!! Your strength, perseverance, determination and positivity continue to inspire! Thank you for sharing your journey. Hugs to all of you. xo
so happy to read the news of the PICC line out and last CHEMO – you are rockstar just like your friend Kevin – continue to get your strength back – I am sending all my positive energy your way!