Today I started my day with a visit to my oncologist. Everyone was very pleasant and welcomed me back as I haven’t seen them in 6 weeks.

The nurse walked in and said she needed to draw blood. I told her ok draw from my arm. She said no we need to draw from the port. I freaked out and told her no. She said the port needs to be flushed every 6 weeks. I said well it hasn’t been since 12/26/18. So then we discussed whom would access my port. We agreed that Caroline from infusion would do it.

I started to tear up and did the sign of the cross. I believe the tearing up was both fear and flash backs of chemo. Nurse Caroline walked in and used a 1 inch needle. She cleaned the site, sprayed cold spray then pushed the needle in. Nothing happened. Then she adjusted it and both Juan and I herd a pop. She was in and was able to draw blood and flush the port! Success!!! Dr. Ajaz came in and talked to about the next phase. Chemo pills for 18 weeks. Two weeks on and one week off. Six cycles of this. She kept telling me to go on vacation. That I can travel while on the pills. We also discussed reconstruction and being put on a trail. Dr. Ajaz was very positive said I have lost weight. 7 lbs, much more to go! She even mentioned my hair growing back. We discussed having a scan and she said we would do it in July/August. There is still much more to happen. But I am on my way.

Then off to radiation. Today was my first boost radiation. They said it would only be in the breast area but it is getting a portion of my armpit. I was hoping it wouldn’t as the Dr. said it wouldn’t. The skin under my armpit is raw. They couldn’t even mark my skin. They even prescribed pain killers. It is painful but I know I am at the home stretch. I did have a few moments today of just giving up! Not wanting to continue and just saying I am done. It hurts just to take a shower. It hurts to put the cream on. Then you have to take the cream off prior to radiation and that hurts. Whomever said radiation is no big deal obviously didn’t get radiation like I am having….

FOUR more sessions and I am done! I am so grateful to have such a great support system!

I am blessed! I got this!