Three days and counting!  This Tuesday, the 15th, is my last treatment and it's amazing to me how incredibly emotional I've been the last few days.  I'm sure a part of it is that with the treatments comes all kinds of hormonal changes - the hot flashes are ridiculous sometimes - but I'm also feeling so moved by this entire experience.  It's often surreal to me ... like it hasn't even happened.  Some days it seems like just yesterday that I got the "call" and other days it has felt like it would never end.  Now it's ending ... at least the chemo part (radiation is next but that will feel like a picnic compared to the last few months) and my easily flowing tears are filled with joy and freedom and reflection ... and sadness for everyone else who has gone through this and still has to...

It's taken me longer to recover from this last treatment.  I'm usually full of energy the last week before another treatment, but I've been pretty lethargic and not feeling great.  I hope like hell that my blood counts haven't dropped because if they delay my last treatment, I think I may have to kill someone.  ;>)   I also feel like I have allergy problems all the time - puffy eyes / runny nose - and wondered out loud this morning why that is because I never have problems with allergies.  Then it occurred to me (duh) that my immune system is different now, so I guess anything goes.

And then there's my memory - holy cow!  I feel like an idiot sometimes because I forget things so easily.  They warned me this was a side effect to expect but it really hasn't effected me until just recently.  I've said this before but it continues to amaze me how much your body doesn't get used to the treatments.  You'd think it would adapt (so to speak) but it just breaks down a little more each time.  But the GREAT news is I am so close to being done and I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to being back to "me."  And not the old me, but the new me.

I feel so at peace with my life right now.  And having had this time to reflect and imagine and plan my future has been just incredible.  There I go ... crying again.  Jeez!

With all the grumbling that I just did above (and sometimes you just have to allow yourself to grumble), things happen in your life almost daily that put everything into perspective.  I got a call not too long ago from my good friend, Debbie Lynn (pictured on the right), who has also been diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was an early find and she is going to come through this strong and determined, but they also found isolated cells in her lymph nodes and she's pretty upset by it ... rightfully so.  We had a wonderful lunch the other day full of questions and laughter and fear.  She is a beautiful, strong woman who has had some challenges in her life.  She will make it through this ... I just know it.  I love you Deb!

Following are some pictures Kevin and I took when we went sailing last night.  What an incredible evening.  We went out for a couple of hours and explored the coast a little bit.  The sunset was just amazing and we got some great photos.  I hope you enjoy them!

My bald self driving the boat.

This was me the year before.

Kevin enjoying the beautiful sunset.