Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Congrats, Laura!  You may have a crash vs. energy now that you crossed the finish line.  A sense of accomplishment that you've never felt before.

I have 3 more full breast radiation treatments and then 8 boosts.  I'm really sore underneath my breast and strangely emotional today  I hate when it hits and you can't explain it.  "What's wrong?"  Umm. . . nothing I can describe!  I'm hoping my hormones are waking up again. 

Kelloggs - That massage sounds great! Glad you were able to use it. My co-workers gave me a gift certificate after I was diagnosed. I figure I'll use it after my exchange. I hope the relaxation lasts all weekend for you!

Laura - Congrats! Welcome to this side of the finish line. It will still be a little tough over the next few weeks, but you've made it through. Wishing you a quick recovery from any lingering SEs. 

Thanks Rachel.  I have a feeling the effects will be wearing off tonight.  My DH is a heavy metal drummer and they have a "gig" tonight.  Heavy Metal is not my favorite music but I've missed some gigs due to my tx and I will be in the front row cheering him on tonight!  Hope my ears can take it!

Congratulations Laura!!!

Thank you so much my wonderful friends!  I have to say that although I am so happy to be done with chemo, it still doesn't seem quite real to me and I've been more exhausted than ever.  I even slept through the steroids.  Very emotional too.

Now I find myself feeling so disconnected, from treatment and doctors and from my former life.  I guess it will be a step by step process. 

Naan I'm so sorry about the delay.  You will be done very soon! 

Ok, a good day to all,

Love,

Laura

Congrats to everyone that are crossing the finish line!!!!!!

 I had the BEST weekend ever!!!  A friend of mine contacted me a couple weeks ago for a family photo session at her house.  Fast forward to Saturday....the date of the scheduled session...early morning was opening day for my little boy's baseball league.  It was cold and damp out so I called her to make sure we were still on for the day.  Yep...just going to move it inside.  Cool....raced to the studio to pick up an extra light and raced to her house.  

Guess what...there was no photo session....she gathered a group of my friends (with my husband's help) for a no more chemo party!!!!  I was totally shocked and speechless!!!!  I really had NO idea this was happening!!!  They all brought little pampering gifts--like a GC to Victoria's Secret and VS's Pink lotion and body spray!!   I felt so great!!!! 

Aww...Lori what a fabulous surprise!  You certainly deserve it after the hard time you've had!  She is a good friend.

Aww. Love that!

What a great suprise, Lori!  So thoughtful of your family/friends. 

That's great Rachel, to give back. I would like to find some ways to pay if forward also.

Congrats on your LAST tx Tskaiser!!!!! YAY!!!!  Just remember, the SE's this time will be the last time!  Welcome to the other side.

Lori, what wonderful friends!  I'm so happy for you. 

Rachel that was also wonderful of you.  And a donation on top of that. 

I've been pretty seqeustered these last months.  This Sunday is a combo birthday for my dad and celebratory end of chemo for me.  Just a few family members coming. 

Tskaiser, contrats!  Last one.  Hope the se's are mild for you and you gain strength and stamina back quickly. 

Kelly how was the gig?  Sounds like a fun time. 

Mardi, the waiting for the hair is difficult.  I think I may be shopping for a new wig.  A shorter one that won't be such a shock once I stop wearing it.  I wonder how realistic it would be to cut the shoulder length one I have. 

My hair is growing in around my head, sparse on top.  Of course on my neck where they usually buzz you when you have a haircut. 

Seacret - the gig was fun, but OMG I forgot how loud heavy metal was!!!  My brains were rattling!  I actually made it until about 1:15am.  I just love that man so much I have to try to support him after all he's done for me lately.  I settled on a short wig too.  In the beginning I was having fun, wearing different colors and lengths (everyone knew and I had a hairdresser friend give me a couple wigs).  Now that I am done with treatment and I'm playing the waiting game I am wearing one particular short one.  I think it will make the transition to my own easier for me...not them!

Whata, we're your friends, so technically not a lie, hee hee

Had treatment 9/12 finally, 3 more to go then surgery rescheduled for 6/8, then radiation.

Tkaiser - I hope your last chemo went well. Congratulations! Mixed feelings are normal. But you're DONE! Even if the SEs hit you harder this time, each day you make it is one day farther away from your treatments.

Had my first post-chemo checkup with the MO and six-month follow-up with the BS today. Both think I'm doing very, very well. Still some edema in the ankles but she said it was at a normal level to be expected - she'll give me a water pill if it's still around next week. Bloodwork was great; rbc while 'low' was supposedly very good for someone this soon out of treatment. Guess I'm glad I've been taking my iron supplements every night. I'm usually low on a normal basis.

So from here on in, it's bloodwork/MO appt every three months. No markers, though. She said my situation - no nodes, etc - doesn't warrant it unless they start to suspect something. Otherwise, there are too many wild goose changes when proteins can fluctuate for other reasons. Wish there was something to keep an eye on, but I guess we're all working from the assumption that they got it all through surgery and chemo was the 'just in case' mop-up. As for the BS, I'll see him once a year. Once a month he wants me to look in a mirror, raise my arms up and look for anything different.

So, I guess I can start to say, "And now, back to our regularly scheduled life...."

If only!