Last chemo and the end of phase 2 of my treatment....

I have to admit that as far as the day I received my last chemo treatment goes - it was pretty unexciting. It was actually an unusual day in that it was a Monday instead of a Friday so I had a different cast of characters and it was a much longer day. I missed having my usual chemo nurse, Robin - she took care of me for half of my appointments. All of the nurses are great but apparently I like the consistency. I enjoyed getting to know her a little more each visit.  So I was a little sad that my last treatment didn't include her. She did come by and say hello but it's not the same. It was very quiet in the chemo room which also seemed out of the ordinary - there is a lot more activity on Fridays.  The funny thing is that even though it was a quiet day my treatment still took longer. In the end I had to send Mark home and have a very sweet co-worker bring me home. (The benefits of working just across the street and having awesome co-workers is that I can find help easily). 

That's not to say I wasn't a little excited. I was!  But as Mark said it won't feel like it's over until I get through all the side effects. 

And what side effects they have been!  Round 7 of chemo was really rough but compared to the last round.....  I know that I said Taxol was supposed to be easier but apparently I'm not one of those people. Just imagine the worst flu you've ever had. I don't mean the stomach flu - I mean the flu you get a shot for each year to protect against. So I didn't have the stuffy nose, cough, or fever but everything else applied in extra amounts to make up for it. In addition, I think the Taxol messes with my emotional state a a well. Sorry to my family. Luckily I started on the upswing sometime Christmas Eve - so although I didn't feel like a superstar on Christmas Day, I did feel good enough to enjoy it tremondously, thanks to a loving, attentive spouse and some awesome and funny kids. 

In retrospect....

As I entered into his phase of chemo I had developed some sense that although not fun the whole chemo thing wouldn't be too bad.  I had brief conversations with people who had worked all through their chemo treatments and the doctors and nurses had all talked about how the new drugs made such a huge difference with the side effects that I should be able to live my life as if chemo was just something else going on.  I have to admit - maybe I'm a wimp but - I'm really glad I didn't work during chemo. All the anti-nausea and vomiting meds did keep me from being sick to my stomach and losing weight during the process and I am thankful (at least for the not being sick to my stomach all the time). But the other symptoms are not fun either. 

I still love chemo and I still don't like it!