PAMELA FIGHTS IN PINK!: #8 - Chemo is done, I DID IT!!!

Feeling like a champ....last day in a chair!

Well I did it! I completed 8 rounds of dose dense chemo and it feels like a major accomplishment. To be honest, the feeling I had this day was equivalent to the feeling I had the day I graduated with my Masters degree! So it was a good fit that my mom and sister made me a chemo graduation cap with a pink tassel while I rang the bell. I sat through 4 rounds of AC treatment and 4 rounds of Taxol treatment and each time I would hear at least one patient ring the bell. Each time I couldn't wait until it was my turn, yet was happy for them that they were D-O-N-E! Now I know what it feels like and I hope to never have to do it again.

I was looking forward to seeing my oncologist to give her a big hug but she was not there on my last day. I had to see another doctor and I was impressed that he knew so much about my history with chemo. He knew that my 4th round of AC put me in the hospital and emphasized that it could happen again if I don't take care of myself. I decided to tell him that I wanted to get in on turkey season before it ended and that I would be flying in 2 weeks......he looked at me like I had 3 heads! Then he scheduled be for follow up bloodwork the day before I fly out as a precautionary but I'm confident that my numbers will be pretty good. I NEED a vacation at this point.

My sister tagged my car :)

Over the past 6 months I've read everything I could regarding breast cancer and chemo treatments. It amazes me how the same treatment causes different side effects among us patients. The AC definitely kicked my ass but the Taxol has been slightly "easier". I've read about what some have endured from Taxol and consider myself fairly lucky at this point. The body pain is awful but at least I didn't get the peripheral neuropathy like many others have to deal with. Mine is so minimal that complaining about it would be embarrassing! The body pain that I get would probably be comparable to what it feels like after rolling down a hill or set of bleachers. However, we have drugs for this and I am not afraid to take them so I can be somewhat comfortable! Thankfully, it is temporary and that is something I say to myself when I get fed up with being in pain. Having constant aches and pain does suck, but getting through this is going to make me tougher just like all the others that have been through this before me. I don't think you will hear me ever complaining about menial things from here on out! My hopes are that I detox soon and start living a healthy productive lifestyle so that my immune system is always on point.

Last time checking in!!! :)

I am so thankful that this part of my cancer journey is complete.....I smile just thinking about it. It has gone by much faster than anticipated and now I am focusing on the surgery and getting back to "normal". I'm a different person now and I think those that know me may even notice a change at some point. This sure has been a wild ride and I'm glad it's over. I've probably stated that 10 times in this blog already but at least you will know how passionate I am about how I feel!

This weekend my team of 35 will walk, run, jog, hobble, stroll, roll the Miles for Moffitt 5K. We've raised $3,650 so far for cancer research and I couldn't be more proud. I love doing these types of events and this one will be personal for me. All of us will walk for those that have suffered from cancer and I can only hope that they will all join me again next year. This is an excellent way for me to celebrate and let cancer know it can kiss my ass as I walk this 5K on my own!

Below are a just a few of the pics from my last day. You'll see it was very emotional and I tear up now just typing about it. I wasn't much of an emotional crier before but that surely has changed. If you haven't been a cancer patient I hope that reading my blogs has enlightened you in some way. I hope you go out of your way now to hug someone that has gone through this. I hope you feel more compassion towards someone just diagnosed. I hope you make sure they know you love them. I hope you don't look the other way when you see someone bald from cancer. I just hope that you have a better understanding of what it takes to fight cancer and that it more than just a colored ribbon.

Having fun w/ selfies on our ride to celebration dinner!

My husband and best friend that I love!

Collage made by my sister of my last 6 months

Sister, Mom, Me and Dad - My family that I LOVE!

My fan team cheering me on to ring the bell, I didn't know they were ALL here!

My new "breast" friends. Notice the tears in my eyes as these ladies are still fighters yet have been my mentors. I love these two ladies and they are truly an inspiration.