Celebrating treatment end

Jill,

I think that's a GREAT idea! I did that and it was wonderful. My family and I (husband and 14-year-old son) have rented a cabin for 1 week or 2 in northern Minnesota for several summers. When I began treatments (my diagnosis came a year ago tomorrow!), one of my concerns was, "Am I going to get to go on my vacation, the one I look forward to every year?". My oncologist was really good about giving me dates that we could go. Two weeks after treatments (chemo and radiation) were completed, we were able to head "Up North." It gave us/me something to really focus on and look forward to; when we got settled in the cabin, it was quite an emotional evening, since it truly had been "the light at the end of the tunnel" during the months of yucky stuff. It was also a wonderful chance for the 3 of us to re-group, re-connect, and plan for our "new" future together.

Actually, we tried to celebrate whenever we could. My last day of radiation was Friday, July 2 - my 4 closest friends accompanied me to my last treatment - we started out by going to lunch, then drove to the hospital (about 30 miles from where we live) - I wore a graduation cap and gown, we had flowers, etc. Afterwards, we went to a little park by a river and had a party - confetti, champagne, grapes, cheese and crackers, etc. What a great way to finish and to allow those who had been with me the whole time to also celebrate.

2 days after that was the 4th of July - I called it "my own personal Independence Day." We had our traditional 4th of July family party (we're the only ones in our family with a pool :-) - so that's the holiday that is always at our house) and truly celebrated.

Then - finally - a couple months after treatments (when I was feeling a whole lot better) we had a chili party for family and friends to thank them for all their support.

I was lucky that I never got terribly sick from treatments and could do all these celebrations - but I also think having the celebrations (and looking forward to them) helped tremendously through the process.

Good luck to you - finishing treatment is exciting, not only because you're done with all the "ick," but because you're poised at the beginning of a whole new era in your life.

Beth

martyzl said:

Hello Jill,
Congratulations in advance!
I am now 2yrs out of chemo. (Dec. 2002) and we (my wonderful husband and 2 daughters -then 8 & 11) went on a family trip to Scotland (one of my very favourite places to go) to celebrate the end of my chemo. that March.
For us, it was a stretch, financially, but it was the perfect trip. It meant so much to all of us and we all have such wonderful memories to carry with us. We also celebrated our daughter's 11th birthday while there with a very quick jaunt over to Paris, where she was born but hadn't been since 2-1/2 yrs old. Quite the adventure!

It could be a wonderful "beacon" for you while you finish up your treatments. Time will fly!
Think on what you REALLY want to do and have fun planning it! You are worth it and you deserve it!

Be well and have fun!
~marty

Jill, is there some place you've always wanted to go, or some thing you've always wanted to do? That's what I did. I figured it's time to start doing those things I've always wanted to do and never did, and that's just what I'm doing. No more excusses. I'm trying to knock at least one thing a year off that list. Wheather it's to go some where exotic, or to be pampered, go - do - and experience. We deserve the best. Good luck and congrats.

Celebrate as small or large as you want to. It is definitely a time to celebrate. The first weekend in June, our cancer center has a Celebration - Survivor's Day. Last year was my first year at it. I had just finished six months of chemo. We released butterflies. Over the holidays, I flew for the first time to see my Dad and his wife in FL. I rented a car for the first time. I snorkeled with our beloved manatees for the first time--I float very well just like they do. I absolutely loved going to the sunshine state and absorbing as much as I could before heading back to the snow and cold of MI. Earlier in the fall, I took my first train ride (color tour). Maybe you can think of some "firsts" that you would like to do. Feel free!