The End of Chemo

On Sunday I took my final chemo pills! I am glad to be done and, quite frankly, surprised that I have weathered this grueling 6-month chemo protocol so well.

I expected that I would feel elated, free, joyous and a host of other positive emotions, but I haven’t felt the joy that I was expecting. Perhaps it is because I was completely exhausted throughout the entire weekend or perhaps it is because it doesn’t feel like it is truly over.

My friend Brent, who is also a doctor, told me that he wasn’t all that surprised about my feelings. His comment was that just like I was in shock going in to this experience, it would make sense that there would be a bit of a shock ending it as well. He assured me that soon enough I would be restarting my life and as the time passed that I will be able to move on. I am hopeful that after my CT scan at the end of August that I will be given the “all clear,” I can remove the port and then I can truly celebrate!

On another positive note, I wanted to alert you to the headlines regarding my fellow cancer patient, Patrick Swayze. He is calling his response to treatment for his pancreatic cancer “a miracle.” In case you didn’t know, Patrick is being treated by my oncologist, Dr. George Fisher! Dr. Fisher is also the President-Elect of the American Cancer Society, California Division. Did I mention that I think he’s pretty incredible?

One thing that I’ve realized throughout this process is the importance of believing in your treatment and in your caregivers. It was reassuring to me to work with a medical team that I truly believed would give me the best chance at life. I will always be grateful for not only the competent care but also the kindness that I received from Dr. Fisher and his team throughout this horrendous time in my life.

I’m also grateful to Pat for all of the positive encouragement and endless support he has given me throughout this process. And to each one of you—whose kind words, prayers, meals, and endless generosity have sustained me over these past seven months!

Over the next few months I will be focused on regaining my energy. I’m looking forward to the day that the neuropathy in my fingers and toes dissipates and I will suffer less from “chemo-brain” problems.

This is the beginning of the rest of my life. It is now up to me to determine how to make sure that the extra time that I have been given - thanks to modern medicine, acupuncture, and an amazing support network - is used wisely and results in making the world a better place.