Friends, I did it! I completed my twelfth treatment (6th round) of chemo! I was also able to get my picc line out the same day, so I feel like a free woman 💪

Chemo was an early start day. The night prior felt like the night before a big trip: too much excitement and nervous energy to get good sleep. We anticipated we might get one of the more private rooms since it was so early, but we we were in the main room. We were first in, and I ended up being glad for it because I got to see the others trickling in, also with their loved ones. For the last one, I got to be surrounded by others fighting the same kind of battle I am.

I spent my time scrolling my phone, snacking, and snoozing. A tap on my shoulder woke me up.

“You’re all done.” It was my nurse “time to ring the bell.”

For those who don’t know, ringing the bell is a symbolic ritual done once chemo or radiation treatments are completed. It’s something to look forward to at the end to mark the accomplishment.

Jess helped gather my things, and my nurse started gathering the other nurses. We all walked to the hall where the bell is. Surrounded by Jess and all the nurses who have helped treat me, I read the accompanying plaque out loud and rang the bell! 🔔

I got cheers and applause from the nurse staff, and could hear applause coming from back inside the treatment center - the other patients. A doctor and patient who were having an appointment even stuck their heads out and cheered me on.

I remember hearing someone get to ring the bell a few treatments ago and I clapped and cheered from my seat, thrilled for them and knowing mine wasn’t far away.

Everyone wished me well, we gave our many thanks for taking such good care of me, and we were on our way. I didn’t have an official appointment for my picc line removal until the next day, but was told I should swing by after chemo to see if I could get squeezed in. Luckily, they weren’t too busy and saw me right away.

I sat down, a little nervous. I knew it was going to be easy, but didn’t know if it would hurt or feel strange. She removed the dressing and told me to bear down. I looked at Jesse, breathed in and braced for it. A second later, it was out. I felt nothing. The area in my arm that previously housed my picc line was clean - no blood or bruising. She put on a small gauze bandage that I’m able to remove today. I was able to finally get a good look at the line, too. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was simpler than I imagined. Jesse snapped a picture of it for me and I waved goodbye to my little buddy who had been dangling out of my arm for the past 5 months.

Incoming picture of my removed picc line below 👇 No blood or gore

So, what’s next? I have an appointment next week for a follow-up PET scan. With how good the previous scan results looked, we’re expecting to see the cancer 100% gone. I also have an echocardiogram scheduled for next week. This will be to check if there’s still any fluid left around my heart, and if any additional monitoring will be necessary. I’m also due to get bloodwork done in a month or so to make sure any impacts of chemo are on their way out. I’ll be immunocompromised still until my bloodwork goes back to normal, but otherwise? I’m on my way to some normalcy soon.

I appreciate you being here and following along so far. This journey has made me a stronger person, or at least has made me believe in the strength others said I had. I plan to keep writing because I want to document the ways in which cancer has changed my life moving forward.

In practice of positivity and gratitude, here are some things that made me happy this week: