Baby, I rang that bell

I was no timid bell ringer yesterday afternoon. While I'd heard a couple end-of-treatment bell ringers earlier in the day, I knew my peals would ring longer and louder.

Yesterday was another butt-numbing, long day of chemo, but the anticipation started building as I was on my last couple of infusion bags - the ones that don't take hours to go in. The excitement of ringing the bell and of walking out of there (hopefully) for the last time made me extremely happy.

Wben nurses reviewed my charts and asked if this treatment was my last or when I shared the news with the fellow chemo patients to whom I talk, my smile was a mile wide and my voice almost cracked with suppressed glee. Yes, hallelujah.

My last three visits, I've struck up a relationship with another ovarian cancer fighter. I've shared some side-effect fighting tips that she tried after her last treatment and she had much better results. She's one treatment behind me. She was in the other room (the chemo suite is split into two separate treatment rooms) and when I took a walk because I couldn't stand sitting any more, we chatted. She told me to ring that bell so she could hear it for inspiration. I'm pretty sure her eardrums heard the dongs.

The lone, male chemo nurse extended his arm to escort me to the front desk followed by the three or four chemo nurses he could gather (the ones not already gone home or occupied treating other patients) to witness and clap the bell ringing. Then I was skipping outside on a glorious, summer day.

Michael took pictures, some of which are posted here. He got emotional. I was so excited. We hugged and kissed - to the ahhhs of the chemo nurses.

No, things didn't go perfectly yesterday. My veins knew what was coming and decided to hide, so it took three needle sticks before I began the treatment at 11:10 a.m. I was also on the dark side of the chemo threatment suite, but on the plus side, I did get a bed right away.

I managed to sleep for the first time during treatment. Michael says I was out for about an hour. I think I felt better last night because of it.

My appointment with Dr. P. went well. My blood levels were good, he seemed optimistic and again, treated me like I was normal - go do what you want as long as it doesn't hurt. Of course, I'll have to build up to doing all those things I was doing before - after I get over the side effects of this treatment - but at least I have the go ahead to try. He'll see me for my follow up appointment in four to six weeks.

I was thankful to have Michael there yesterday. He bookended my treatments - the first and the last. It was a shame Angie, my constant chemo companion couldn't make it, but she had to work and she's figuring out the first days of school for her boys (they went back on Tuesday). I missed her but appreciated all the hours she spent sitting around during chemo.

This morning is a typical first morning after chemo. I'm going to enjoy my coffee and paper. I'll go out for a little while later while I still feel good. The tiredness and skunky mouth will sneak in this afternoon and then I'll be down for the count.

But this morning, is okay and holds promise. I have the anticipation of getting better and a summer day. The sun is just coming up and it's going to be a glorious one. Enjoy.

Tina