Finally Crossed the Finish Line - YEAH!

Sunrae
Sunrae Member Posts: 808
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Yesterday I had my last rad treatment, 35 total. I was so excited to get it all over with and its a great feeling. Today, I'm just doing normal things around the house and keep telling myself that I have no more rad appointments. The last 2 weeks I started burning and my skin is red, raw, stinging, burning and peeling. The ointments weren't doing the job so my dr. gave me medicated gauze packets to cover the burnt skin and I have to change it every 2 hours so it doesn't dry out and pull my skin when I change it. The lymphedema arm is still swollen so I'm still wearing my compression sleeve every day.
For those of you who don't know my history, here goes. I was dxed over a year ago in Sept. 09 with invasive intraductal carcinoma, stage 2, 1 large tumor and 2 smaller ones with lymph node involvement. I took Femara for several months to reduce the tumors. Right before I was supposed to have surgery, the drs found I had 2 blocked arteries, so I had to have a rotoblation and balloon angioplasty to clear one of the arteries. I also have diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, allegies, glaucoma and fibromyalgia, all which tends to complicate the matter. Finally in April of this year I had a masectomy. My diagnosis was changed to Stage 3 because 11 of my lymph nodes out of 17 removed had cancer. The chemo treatments were started in May and I had 12 weeks of treatments, once a week. Lot of infections caused by the chemo and my onc thought I would have to quit the treatments. I wanted to keep on and did but by the time I was done I wound up in bed for a few weeks after all the treatments, weak and sick. Started radiation in early Sept. and finished yesterday.
Whew! It tires me out to think about it all. I have an appt. Nov 2 for my first mammo in my other breast, and will see my surgeon and onc the same day. Other tests will follow to see if all the treatment did the job, which is to "SLay the BEAST".
I want to let all of you know who are going thru treatment that you can make it. It wasn't easy for me but I was able to get thru it with the support of my family, friends and all of you sisters here on this board. When I needed understanding and comfort, this is where I came, to those who knew my pain and could encourage me. I appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts and support that you sent me. I hope to be able to support all of you in the same way and pay forward all your love and committment to help you in your battle with bc. May you be comforted as I have been and know that there is always a bunch of strong souls ready to help you in your struggle. Looking forward to all of you crossing the finish line. Much love, Sunrae
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Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Congrats on being a "treatment graduate!" I'm really proud of you....you've had a long tough road. It's a wonderful feeling to be finished.....it's almost "now what do I do with all this time I now have?" I finished ALL treatment exactly one year ago this week......so I know, first hand how wonderful it is to be finished....I find myself wondering sometimes, how in the world did I do all that and live to tell about it.....We find strength we never knew we had......Now you can be a testament to those just starting this long journey that we have been on.
    Pat yourself on the back, job well done!
    Nancy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    I am dancing!!!
    Congrats, grad!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    You are truly an
    You are truly an inspiration! Yayy--ou have done it! Now get some well deserved rest and have fun. So very happy for you!
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Way to go!!!
    Sunrae, yes, you have had one heck of a time as you fought this demon. The good news....you are at, make that over, the finish line. I never throught you wouldn't make it. You have the strength and determination that was needed. Now, rest and get back to your "new" normal. You are an inspiration to many on this board. I am so happy for YOU!! Congratulation to a very sweet lady with a beautiful smile.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member

    You are truly an
    You are truly an inspiration! Yayy--ou have done it! Now get some well deserved rest and have fun. So very happy for you!

    Congratulations Sunrae!

    Congratulations Sunrae!
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    MyTurnNow said:

    Way to go!!!
    Sunrae, yes, you have had one heck of a time as you fought this demon. The good news....you are at, make that over, the finish line. I never throught you wouldn't make it. You have the strength and determination that was needed. Now, rest and get back to your "new" normal. You are an inspiration to many on this board. I am so happy for YOU!! Congratulation to a very sweet lady with a beautiful smile.

    Yea!!
    Congratulations!! God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    MyTurnNow said:

    Way to go!!!
    Sunrae, yes, you have had one heck of a time as you fought this demon. The good news....you are at, make that over, the finish line. I never throught you wouldn't make it. You have the strength and determination that was needed. Now, rest and get back to your "new" normal. You are an inspiration to many on this board. I am so happy for YOU!! Congratulation to a very sweet lady with a beautiful smile.

    You have been through a lot
    You have been through a lot and now you are a rad grad! Congratulations Sunrae and I hope you are planning to celebrate this weekend!


    Hugs, Angie
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    Congrats
    Congrats on finishing. Hopefully all your tests from here on will be negative.

    marge
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member

    Congrats
    Congrats on finishing. Hopefully all your tests from here on will be negative.

    marge

    You are one tough cookie, Sunrae
    and I congratulate and admire you. You are an inspiration to all of us and I am so happy for you that treatments are complete.

    Rest up, take good care of yourself, and enjoy your beautiful life!

    Hugs, Renee
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    Sunrae,
    A big hooray for the

    Sunrae,
    A big hooray for the finish of the treatments. You had a lot to deal with and I know it wasn't easy but you did it. My prayers will continue that your stay cancer free.
    Stef
  • kya911
    kya911 Member Posts: 157
    fauxma said:

    Sunrae,
    A big hooray for the

    Sunrae,
    A big hooray for the finish of the treatments. You had a lot to deal with and I know it wasn't easy but you did it. My prayers will continue that your stay cancer free.
    Stef

    Fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    Oh my gosh you certainly
    Oh my gosh you certainly have been through alot Sunrae - i'm so glad to hear that you've finished your radiation and you can rest and recouperate now :) Wishing you much happiness & good health!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY
    (> " " <) (> " " <) (> " " <)
    ( ='o'= ) ( ='o'= ) ( ='o'= )
    -(,,)-(,,)- -(,,)-(,,)--(,,)-(,,)-....
    CONGRATULATIONS SUNRAE

    I am so very excited for you, I remember how wonderful that feeling is~HIP HIP HOORAY FOR SUNRAE! I hope you get out and celebrate!

    ஜ۩۞۩ஜ RE ஜ۩۞۩ஜ
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    Soooo happy for you!
    I can remember my last day. I was actually a little sad because the people at the center were wonderful. Congrats.

    Roseann
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    yipee yahoo woot-woot yabadabadooo!!!
    Sunrae, I can't tell you how happy I am for you! I know what you have been through and you have had a tough time of it. You soooo deserve to be done. I bet it feels so good just to say to your self I don't have to go anymore. Take care Sunrae, stay strong be happy. you will always be in my prayers and thoughts. Kay
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    You have crossed the finish line....
    Celebrate your successful completion of treatment. I am so happy for you. Now to the task of getting on with life and your new "normal".
    Best of wishes for many celebrations and healthy outcomes.
    Hugs, K
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    What a wonderful day!
    I am so happy for you. You are an amazing woman!

    Many hugs for you,

    Sue
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Oh my dear sweet
    Oh my dear sweet Sunrae------ can you hear the applause? I am soo HAPPY for you. It has been a long struggle and you made it. Praise God and may He continue to bless you and your hubby each and every day. Love and lots of Hugs.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    natly15 said:

    Oh my dear sweet
    Oh my dear sweet Sunrae------ can you hear the applause? I am soo HAPPY for you. It has been a long struggle and you made it. Praise God and may He continue to bless you and your hubby each and every day. Love and lots of Hugs.

    Wow so excited for you!! you
    Wow so excited for you!! you finished this long hard road. You have such determination and resilience!!! So happy for you!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    carkris said:

    Wow so excited for you!! you
    Wow so excited for you!! you finished this long hard road. You have such determination and resilience!!! So happy for you!

    What's that saying .. you've come a long way, babe!
    YaY .. for you Sunrae .. Job well done, finish line crossed .. Now to recover, heal a little and get back to normal.

    Congratulations!

    Vicki Sam