How are you celebrating (or going to celebrate) completing Rads?

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Curlykat
Curlykat Member Posts: 85
edited July 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I haven't even started yet, and I'm already thinking about how I want to celebrate or commemorate my completion of rad therapy.

Right now I'm thinking jewelry, though I have plenty of rings and don't wear much else.

Have you done (or plan on doing) anything special when you finish rads?

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  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2015

    I did a couple of things to commemorate finishing different parts of treatment and one thing to count down to the end of rads. For my countdown to the end of rads I bought 35 Cherry Blossom chocolates and had them stacked on the mantle. I would eat one every time I came back home from my rads treatment. It was nice to see the visual countdown to the end. I also read about another lady who bought lottery scratchers and scratched one after every treatment.

    The other main thing that I did to celebrate the end of a particular treatment is to get a Pandora necklace, I'm not a fan of having something around my wrist. Once i was done a particular treatment, I would go and get a charm to comemorate having gone through that part. I have one that represents chemo, surgery, radiation and Herceptin. What I like about it is that most people don't know the symbolism of each charm, so they just think it's a pretty necklace. My next charm will be when I hit the two year mark.

    I say do what ever resonates with you :)

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2015

    Fun ideas, Runner! And I like the idea that the meaning of the jewelry is something that won't be obvious to everyone.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited April 2015

    Curlykat, I traded my car in for a new 2015 Chevy Cruze when I started chemo. I took the longest payments on the loan, great motivation. I had 72 payments, and I have made 8 so far. And I love my car! So a very big deal for me. Cheryl



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  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 2,221
    edited April 2015

    I was all about making it a celebration for my kids who were 11 and 12 at the time. We went and bought a cake at the bakery and had them customize it with the words "Finished! Stupid machine!" You should have seen the bakery lady look at me when I told her what I wanted on it - finally had to explain it so she didn't think I was a crazy person (my kids on the other hand know better - they know I am insane!)

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited April 2015

    I read here some planned vacations or cruises. Not in my budget. There was a National Maltese dog show in Orlando a few months after I finished treatment. I felt good enough, and I could do one day there.

    That day was special to me, got to meet some on line friends, and see beautiful dogs. May not be what most would like to do,

    Do what will be special memories for YOU.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2015

    drink, drank, drunk. Repeat as necessary.

    Seriously, had a party with bonfire in backyard, food and friends. A wonderful night

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2015

    We will be checking into a beach house with all of DH's family one month later, on my birthday - coincidentally. I'm sure we'll celebrate then.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited April 2015

    We bought a vacation home last Feb before all of this in Costa Rica. After rads and before I go back to work...we are going to sit our bums on the beach for 2 wks. I can't imagine what it will feel like to not have any weekly appts....it's going to be weird

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2015

    congrats to anyone who feels up to celebrating, I was spent and uncomfortable, and all I wanted to do was stay home with a really loose shirt on and sleep.

    not to be a wet blanket, I went to support group the last day of rads, and went home and got really blistery.

    I was really tired and it took me a good two weeks to get any energy or focus.

    (I did walk to the hospital all but the last three days)

    about 4 weeks out I went to the YSC conference, I was feeling about 80 percent

    6-8 weeks I was back to myself

    So don't feel bad if you don't feel like celebrating, I am a celebrator, but rads took a lot out of me


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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited April 2015

    Cookiegal - I totally hear you. I'm only on day 6 of 30. I have no idea what I'm going to feel like but after the last 6 months I desperately need a break.

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2015

    Cookiegal, I get that. I'm hoping not to be exhausted, but know that is a possibility. I don't expect to party, but I do want to commemorate the end of rads. I'm still pondering jewelry.

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2015

    I did three gold bands. The thickest was for finishing chemo, the middle size is for getting through surgery, and the thinnest one is for finishing rads. My husband gives them to me once I have completed a step. Not sure how to inscribe them yet...was thinking "when going/through hell/ keep going"

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2015

    jewelry sounds cool

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  • Cmo65
    Cmo65 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2015

    I start 5/11/15. I'm going the Pandora bracelet and getting a charm for each rad completed. My last one will be the Pandora BC ribbon charm. Mission accomplished!

    Lovely ideas posted here!

    Christine

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited April 2015

    Great idea!

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2015

    I found my "reward" today. Only on day 13/34-37, but this was the first thing I saw, after looking for a couple of weeks, that I really could see me wearing and loving. I've been looking at rings and bracelets, but I have plenty of rings that I don't wear, and my Fitbit gets in the way of bracelets. I saw this last night when out shopping with DH, and had to return to the store today for a return, so I asked the clerk to git it out for me to look oat. Got it for 1/2 off, plus 20%, so that helped too. Now to tuck it away until the end of June. Maybe for my birthday or our anniversary, I'll find a great sale on the matching bracelet!

    http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Primary/PRD~5400365SG530117D17/Belk+++Co++Diamond+Circle+Mesh+Necklace+in+Sterling+Silver.jsp?navPath=Jewelry_And_Watches/Shop/FineJewelry/AllFineJewelry&cm_vc=cross_sell_prod_page

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  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2015

    Gatomal what a lovely idea

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  • Dorosie
    Dorosie Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2015


    Completed rad almost 2 weeks ago!  I prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. I took my dog on a longer than usual walk early the following morning. It was quiet and peaceful and gave me a chance to reflect. I'll be celebrating with family members and friends when everyone can agree on a time and place. I'm going on a long awaited camping trip with family in a few days!!!  Later this year my friends and family will join me in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure  Run/Walk.  :-) 

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited June 2015

    So..this is what I did along with my trip to Costa Rica. It is my first tattoo...(not including my radiatation marks). I have never really loved tattoos but I wanted something permanent to define this bumpy crazy road. It's actually very small....and I am not a worshipper of the pink ribbon but I love it.(my DD's also think I'm cool.)

    image

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2015

    JJ, I love that!

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited June 2015

    Thank you....I'm still in shock that I did it!!!

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  • speace
    speace Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2015

    I'm starting week 5 of 7. I'm going to celebrate with a trip. My sister is a pilot for a major airline, and she flies internationally to Europe. So once I'm done I'm gonna hop a flight with her to Paris, Rome, London or Madrid! It will just be a 3day trip but the price will be right!! FREE!!

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited June 2015

    speace...a trip is a wonderful way to celebrate!!! It's not about where you go...it's abothe memories you make. Happy planning!!!

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2015

    speace - that sounds great!

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  • Okie9000
    Okie9000 Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2015

    The rad team gave me a beautiful floral arrangement as I left the last apt. I called my Mom and we cheered. Then I went back to work.Hubs kept asking if it was done. I think he needed the cancer crap down more than I did. That night I took a long shower and bawled! Felt to get to exhale again. felt like I was holding my breath as I kept work and home abnormal as possible and slid rads into to its own little surreal space.


    I celebrated more 3 weeks later with friends. It was finally starting feel like I was moving into the next stage.


    Good luck with your Rads! Nivea lotion is the best! I had a reaction to the radaplex.

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  • Curlykat
    Curlykat Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2015

    Okie,

    That was sweet of your team! I ended up taking two dozen mini cupcakes (Gigi's) and they said that they love those, so that was a win.

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  • speace
    speace Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2015

    Well tomorrow is my last day (monday). And I'm leaving for a 9 day trip to England and france on Wednesday to celebrate the end of rads! Wooo!!!!

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  • Midgiemoon
    Midgiemoon Member Posts: 174
    edited July 2015

    I love this thread! Personally I am considering either a tattoo or a puppy! I am also going to Canada to spend time on the ocean at my cousins farm! It gives me something to look forward to. I am still wearing stickers and waiting for my radiation start...


    And, I am planning a fund raiser for my cancer center in October. It will involve a spinning event and maybe a zumbathon...

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