I've graduated.....

HollyID
HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I really didn't want a graduation at the infusion office. I just wanted to walk out without anyone knowing I was done except me and the nurses. :)

They of course announced to the other 23 patients there that I was done with all my chemo and that of course I finished all 12 rounds of treatment. I'm sure this gives encouragement to other patients that still have a few or more rounds to go that if I can do this, they can do it. I did buy 6 dozen of bite sized cupcakes for them and the staff. Us nurses LOVE sweets. I really thought I'd cry but didn't. Knowing I'm not really leaving them or them leaving me gives me strength.

I can't believe I'm done. I have many follow-ups. A CT on the 7th of July, follow-up with the doctors on the 13th. Will have my CEA drawn that day as well. Last CEA was 1.7. Not too bad.

I LOVE you all. I really mean that. How would I have gotten through chemo without you all? Your support and kind words have meant the world to me. This alone makes me cry. You've all meant more to me than my chemo nurses. Reading all the words we make to each other shows a lot of love and compassion that we have amongst our "own". Some things that only us semi's can understand.

Kimby, Peter and JR, you're all in my prayers. I love you all! Craig, you're like the scarecrow. I love you, too. I want you to be safe during your upcoming surgery. Please know that I think of you everyday for good vibes to be sent your way.
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Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Congratulations Holly! I am
    Congratulations Holly! I am really happy for you! What a feeling that must be. Best wishes as you start the next leg of this journey.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    No words really describe it...
    but congratulations on finishing the marathon...it is a tremendous burden lifted to be through with the chemo...good for you Holly....The aches and pains and minute' twicthes and feelings that you have will diminish in time, and your strength will return, and then every low CEA count will be another small victory won...You really feel great when this happens...Love and Hope to you and I hope that it will continue on to be gone for the rest of your life...........But for now...Grin like a Rooster....Buzz
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Awesome
    Congratulations on finishing your chemo. It's kind of like a celebration of many kinds. Glad that they did announce it because, you are right, this gives the others tremendous hope for the end of their chemo. Good luck on the upcoming CT scan and doctor's appointment.

    Kim
  • JDuke
    JDuke Member Posts: 438

    Awesome
    Congratulations on finishing your chemo. It's kind of like a celebration of many kinds. Glad that they did announce it because, you are right, this gives the others tremendous hope for the end of their chemo. Good luck on the upcoming CT scan and doctor's appointment.

    Kim

    Yeah!!!
    Congratulations on having completed your chemo. You have indeed acquired inspiration status. Hope that everything ahead will only bring more reasons to smile your beautiful smile!
    Blessings,
    Joanne
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Yay!
    Lovely! I'm so happy for you. Celebrate like crazy!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    Congratulations Holly!!! I
    Congratulations Holly!!! I know you did not want to celebrate it, but imagaine how your chemo nurses felt and all the other patients, you are an inspiration to the patients still going through treatment and your nurses get to see you walk out, feeling great! That is their celebration in a world where they see so much despair!
    So Enjoy, celebrate, and take on the rest of this journey with the same attitide and determination that got you this far!


    Kathy
  • khl8 said:

    Congratulations Holly!!! I
    Congratulations Holly!!! I know you did not want to celebrate it, but imagaine how your chemo nurses felt and all the other patients, you are an inspiration to the patients still going through treatment and your nurses get to see you walk out, feeling great! That is their celebration in a world where they see so much despair!
    So Enjoy, celebrate, and take on the rest of this journey with the same attitide and determination that got you this far!


    Kathy

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    Well done you
    as you said to me we'll both be fine hugs
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    Yey!
    so glad you've made it! celebrate and don't forget the naked happy dance!
    mary
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    msccolon said:

    Yey!
    so glad you've made it! celebrate and don't forget the naked happy dance!
    mary

    YAY YOU!!!
    Congrats Holly!! What a great feeling that must be.... You go girl!!!

    Jennie
  • P_I_T_A
    P_I_T_A Member Posts: 133
    Another one that's...
    12 and DONE. Congratulations!!

    -DJ
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    Congratulations!Dance and
    Congratulations!Dance and happy for you.
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    Congratulations
    Congratulations on your graduation. My husbands chemo nurses did the same thing to him. I think it helps patients to see the end of chemo treatments is a time of celebration. I bet the nurses feel good that another patient has gotten through the treatments. They are special people with a lot of patience, kindness, and sincerity. Take care, keep positive thoughts and enjoy each day God gives you. Margaret
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    Thank you, everyone!!
    You all mean the world to me!!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    congrats
    Holly,

    Kind of a bittersweet moment, I imagine. Yeehah- you made it!!
    Now it's time to LIVE and be cancer free!!!

    Hugs,
    Lisa
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Good Job Holly:
    See you made it through all 12 treatments, you were determined from the start and you finished, congratulations. Now don't go worrying about the unknown, just enjoy the now and move foward with your life. Enjoy all the big and little things life has to offer.

    Take care, Hugs, Tina
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Graduated with Honors
    "Craig, you're like the scarecrow. I love you, too. I want you to be safe during your upcoming surgery. Please know that I think of you everyday for good vibes to be sent your way."

    Hi Holly, thank you for your kind words! I love you back:) I appreciate your thoughts about my safety for surgery - very sweet of you to keep me on your mind, I'm touched:)

    A Scarecrow, huh?

    Well, I've been called a lot of things in my life - just don't call me late for dinner, LOL:)

    Thanks so much for the good vibes - looks like I'll be needing some afterall.

    -Craig:)
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    I never graduated
    I felt like I missed out on something, but my last chemo(s) were both determined to be the last ones after the fact. I didn't complete either my 8 IP cycles or my 12 systemic cycles.

    Congratulations on a significant milestone!
  • tesslee
    tesslee Member Posts: 97
    abrub said:

    I never graduated
    I felt like I missed out on something, but my last chemo(s) were both determined to be the last ones after the fact. I didn't complete either my 8 IP cycles or my 12 systemic cycles.

    Congratulations on a significant milestone!

    Congratulations
    Holly that's a significant milestone. i can understand your emotions. no one but other cancer survivors can understand. i know that now. i spent 2 1/2 months living with my brother and sister in-law. at first they were there for me emotionally. then things changed. i needed to talk, but they withdrew and i think expected more from me as far as being more active and not sleeping as much.

    i hope you take this time to enjoy as much as you can. celebrate the little things, your love for these folks, your love for others. i bet the nurses really liked your goodies. now i got an idea from you. cupcakes are an easy pick up for me at walmart on my way to chemo.

    be well, be as happy as you can, and never forget your true friends. lean on them.
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    Sweet Holly! Love
    Sweet Holly! Love it....Thanks for the well wishes for JR. Paula