The Next Steps

May 1st was my LAST day of chemo! 16 rounds, done! Mission accomplished! I had the most beautiful celebration as I finished on that Friday. I was guided home from chemo with cars lining my route from friends, family, co workers, and past students. They had signs, bells, and so much love. I was overwhelmed with emotion. My heart was, and still is, so full from this beautiful day. Thank you to each and everyone of you that came out to cheer me on as I made my way home and made my way across the chemo finish line. You have no idea how much it meant to me. That day was a big accomplishment and you all allowed me to celebrate it. I am so grateful for this village around me. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Chemo is complete and now I am moving on to the next step. I will be having a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery on Thursday, May 21st. It is coming quick! They will also be removing the lymph nodes that had shown the cancer had spread too. I am so looking forward to this next step. It brings me that much closer to being healed. I will have 4 weeks of no lifting, or doing much of anything. Those of you who know me, know this will be hard. Especially, because that means not lifting my little bundle of JOY, Edwin. Ugh, that will be the hardest. However, staying on the positive side, as I always say, I will sacrifice this little bit of time for a lifetime with my boys. From my surgery, they will be able to determine the exact path of treatment for me after surgery. For now, they are very hopeful and we are planning on just 5 weeks, every day, of radiation. Hopefully after that, I will be on my way to recovery!

Each day I get a little more of my energy back as I recover from that last round of chemo. I sleep a little less, I laugh a little more, and I even find myself singing along to the radio again. It feels amazing knowing that this Friday, I get to just be, no going into chemo! I will keep healing and regaining strength for the big day next week. 

My Marigold is simple this week…MY VILLAGE! All of you are my marigold. My strength comes from the love you have shown and I am forever strong and forever grateful! Thank you all for everything you have and are doing to keep me and my family going. We are able to rejoice when things are hard because of you! Thank you.

Last Day Of Chemo…