The end of all the Chemo

 Here we are! I made it to the end of the worst of the chemo. My symptoms have not really improved in most areas, but the fact that the end was near kept me hanging on. Basically everything upset my stomach and made me sick, but somehow I was able to eat enough and not lose a bunch of weight. I am glad for that, I don't need my body to have more to recover from. Since my last post I have been struggling with my eyes a lot more.

Taxotere has caused my eyes to water constantly. I tried my best to keep them clean and to be gentle on them, but they swelled up all along the lash line and just got worse. I had to go in for antibiotics twice now. I have blepharitis from the tears being there and touching irritating things. The doctors seem to think that the odds are that my eyes will dry up and get back to normal soon. The truth is that my odds have not been the best with most of the side effects, etc. I don't exactly think that my chances are great, but I am going to remain hopeful.

With treatment for the blepharitis I have seen that the tearing at least doesn't hurt now which is nice. I can open and close my eyes without the swelling causing pain which is also nice. It also made it a lot easier to use my eyes. They were so swollen before that I could not read or see. I walked from my bed or chair to the bathroom or table slowly and squinting the best I could but glasses were of no help because I couldn't see past the swelling and constant tears.

I made it through though! The worst of the chemotherapy is done! They said I will be put on "baby chemo" later but I have made it through this leg. In about 6 weeks I will go in for my surgery to remove my port and to remove the tumor and affected lymph nodes. It is good to see that I am on the other side. The sun feels like it is shining a bit brighter and my smile feels closer to the surface.

Kids have started school again and so far they are enjoying things the best they can. Things are super busy and I am so thankful for Husband who helps keep things managed still since I am not feeling myself yet. I really hope to be feeling a lot better SOON! This feeling sick and sitting around a lot has been so annoying for me. I am a get up and get things done person so sitting has been really hard on me mentally.

When I came home from my final chemo there were flowers and balloons and a giant sign on my garage from FRIENDS. I felt so loved and seen. While I know that they would have loved to give hugs and cheers in person, it was exactly right that I saw it and then went straight inside, laid down and fell asleep.