June 4, 2004

Wow!!! I never thought I'd see this day! Today, exactly ONE YEAR from the day I had my mammogram which started this journey, was my LAST radiation treatment. In fact, it's my LAST of any kind of treatment!!!!! I AM THROUGH.....DONE........F I N I S H E D ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! :-) No more dr's appointments, no more abuse to my body by chemicals or electric energy....no more painting on eyebrows and eyeliner....no more nuthin!!!! :-) I'm FREEEEE!!! And to celebrate.....I leave day after tomorrow on a week long motorcycle ride to the Adirondak Mtns of NY. I can't wait!!!! But first, tomorrow, I'm walking in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure with about 25 of my chorus members. The weather may not be great, but who cares??????

One of my co-workers baked a cake in my honor!!! And of course, I baked my chocolate goodies (Mock Heath Bars) to take to the hospital to give to the staff. They were SO appreciative! Everyone gave me a hug and congratulated me on being their STAR patient!!! They said I was always so upbeat....and that I never complained about yucky symptoms.....well, I never had any yucky symptoms! So, they told me to spread the word: radiation isn't as bad as it's made out to be! Yeah, I had a few ill effects, but it didn't even come close, to comparing to chemo. I'd rather have 100 radiation treatments than any chemo!

I'm too emotionally hyped right now to be reflective and try to bring this journal to a close.....so I will part for now. I will write more later when I return from my vacation. At that time, I will also put together a photo album for you all to see ALL of my pictures along the way....from my spiky haircut before chemo, to my hair falling out, to no hair, to it gradually coming back, and pictures of the dr's and nurses who helped me....and a few others as well.

Thanks to all of you who have faithfully read my journal and sent me encouraging notes (and even lovingly "nudging" notes, like "hey, you haven't updated your journal in a while, get on the stick!!!") This has been a therapeutic exercise for me, and I have enjoyed telling my story. Several of you have even said I should turn it into a book! I don't know about that....but I will go back and edit it some later....there are some structural/grammatical things that are bugging me, but I'll fix those later!

Big hugs, and lots of love to all of you, because without you, there would be no journal. I wrote it for you! Gotta stop now....welling up with tears again......awwww!!!!! :-)