Whew.

So, I'm done!

(insert applause & raucous cheers here)

Of course, I didn't just finish. There was more to it than that. I was *supposed* to finish on August 23, and I looked forward to that date for weeks. But, my white count was too low, so I had to wait. I received a series of 3 Neupogen injections that week, and returned Friday, half holding my breath. Thankfully, the Neupogen had done it's job & my count was *much* higher, so I received my last FEC on the 26th!

Hopefully, that was my last ever. :)

So now that I'm done, I'm looking forward to getting back to that thing we like to call normal. At least the *normal* that doesn't include spending hours in infusion & days laying in the bed. I'm trying to remember that even though I am done, I am still not back to normal yet; I sort of learned that the hard way last week when I got a bit over zealous with my schedule. It was all sorts of packed. Lots of fun, but man, I was tired. Generally, the second week after this type of treatment is like that, so I shouldn't have been surprised that my body ached and my eyes could not stay open!

I imagine you're all wondering "Well, what now? Surgery? No surgery? Radiation? No radiation?" Well, inquisitive readers, I will tell you. Last week I met with my surgeon who went over all of the details of the "What now?" We discussed that surgery is generally always indicated, even if it appears that the tumor(s) are gone. She sent me for another mammogram just to be sure; yes, my tumor has decreased significantly, but it is still there, as is the second (smaller) lump. Becuase of the presence of multiple tumors, the best option is a mastectomy. Obviously I had hoped to avoid that, but in reality, I knew it was always still a possibility. I knew that if I had a lumpectomy, radiation therapy was a given. That is a HUGE time commitment - 5 days a week for 5-7 weeks, several hours each day. The mastectomy appealed to me because I could do that & then be done for good. I mean, I would have liked to keep all my body parts, but let's face it - it's not like losing an arm or anything. I really prayed before I went that whichever option was the right one, that it would be clear, and it was. I do get to keep the left one, so that's a plus. I'd hate to bore my male readers (all three of you) with bosomy details, so I'll just leave it at that. :)

I haven't officially set the date for that yet, but it will most likely be at the beginning of next month. I have a fun little weekend planned at the end of the month, and I'm looking forward to a nice little respite after the last 8 months! I'll be attending the .Mom Conference in Birmingham, thanks to a sweet friend who won extra tickets and knew I needed to be there! I had wanted to go when I first found out about this unique event back in December, but just didn't have peace about it. I soon knew why that was, and knew that if I was to go, it would have to be a last minute decision. I'm so grateful for my sweet friends who know just how to bless my socks off :)

Speaking of blessing, "Thank You" could never sufficiently convey how much you have all blessed me over the last 8 months. From prayers to dinner to "happies" to childcare - I am SO overwhelmed with gratitude. I am looking forward to seeing how God blesses each of you in return!