My sister, Cindy, drove me to chemo; and each of my children went as well. My husband, Chuck, met us there to help celebrate. A party of 6 trooping through the oncology and infusion center was quite a group; but we didn't care. We were celebrating. In addition, my friend, Missy Frechette, stopped by on her way out of town with a gift. I received text from friends, family, and work family all day congratulating me on my final day of chemo. The sun was shining brightly, and the temperatures were in the upper 50's for the first time all winter. Even God was smiling on me and helping me celebrate such a fabulous occasion. Below are the celebration photos from yesterday.
My daughter, Autumn, decorated the car so everyone knew on our way there and home what a fabulous day we were celebrating. 
In case it's tough to read, it says "Today is my Last Chemo"
Our Chemo Party Crew complete with the G-Rated and the R-Rated signs. I am on lucky girl.
Me and my daughter, Autumn.
Me and my daughter, Makya.
Me and my husband, Chuck.
Me and my sister, Cindy.
Me and my son, Scott.
Finally, my awesome work crew celebrating at my office. I have a wonderful work family.
They were able to get my IV started on the first try, which was a big YAHOO to end chemo. I am so proud of myself for making it through 16 chemo treatments without a port. That was one of my biggest goals from the day this nightmare began. I did NOT want a port; and I am so proud I stuck with what I wanted and didn't cave into what others tried to convince me to do. Thank God I have good veins and everything went fine as I realize not everyone is that fortunate.
I met with my oncologist, and she gave me the clear all to receive my final chemo treatment. We talked about me being positive for the BRACA1 gene. She covered things I already knew; but hearing it from her solidified what I already knew: My children were at risk and needed to be tested (each of them has a 50% chance of also carrying the gene), I will need to have my right breast removed in addition to my left breast as my chance for a secondary breast cancer in the opposite side are very high, after I am done with this breast cancer mess, I will need to have my ovaries removed as the BRACA1 gene is also known to cause ovarian cancer. While none of these things are GOOD news, I have accepted them as part of my life, and I'm moving on from them. I cannot do anything to change these things, so I am leaving them in God's hands. Only he has the power to watch over my children and save them from this dreaded gene. Only he has the power to watch over me and ensure this is the one and only time I face this dreaded disease and get to grow old to see my children grow up. To meet my grand babies and spoil them rotten. I have given it all up to God.
After meeting with my oncologist, our crew headed over to the infusion area. All the nurses were cheering as we walked in and celebrating with us before we even began. I had purchased 50 small containers the size of a Carmex lip balm tub, and made homemade lip scrub. I handed them out to all the nurses on the Oncology floor as well as the chemo nurses. I see cupcakes and cookies on the floor all the time, and I wanted to do something a little more personal for each of them that also wouldn't wipe out my bank account. They were all so very appreciative and truly seemed to be excited to use them! My final chemo was the same as every other time; but this time, there was an air of excitement in the air. We all laughed and talked through the treatment, and it went by quickly. Yes, I still felt tired as the drugs were being pumped into my body, and I still felt a little sick to my stomach, but I was able to overlook it and keep talking to my family. It felt good to laugh and smile. I have not did much of that lately. I have had more sad days filled with tears than I've had with smiles and laughter. I truly have had many dark days lately. Yesterday felt like I was breaking that cycle.
My husband had to leave before my infusion was complete to head back to work; but just before my treatment ended, all the nurses came in the room with a "Warrior Award" for completing chemo. They each had pink pom poms and were doing cheers and cheering for me. It was a sweet gesture and a perfect ending to a perfect day. I was brought to tears, which I held back, several times as I looked around the room at the support all around me and the efforts they had made to make this particular day a day of celebration that I wanted it to be. They each worked hard to give me what I wanted--a day of celebrating a huge milestone. As we left the infusion center, we walked out to Destiny's Child's "Survivor", and it was fitting.
As we drove the 2 hour drive home, people were honking and giving us a thumbs up and waving. A random stranger took a picture of the back of our car and posted it on Instagram stating how great it was to "see people beating this dreadful disease". A girl my daughter knew who happened to be friends with this girl tagged my daughter in the photo because my daughter had posted a photo of the car earlier in the dar. Overall, it was truly a day of celebration, and I feel so very blessed to have people who love me and made this happen for me. God reminded me yesterday that I have much to be thankful for. I have more reasons to smile than I do to cry; and most importantly, God has not forgotten or abandoned me. He simply has his own plan for me, and I need to trust in his plan even though I may not understand it at the time.
I'm sure I will have my share of sad days ahead of me; and I temporarily will forget the amazing day I was blessed with. But I have no doubt the love of my family and the love of my God will pull me through and remind me of all the amazing reasons I have to be happy in my life.
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