I realize I have not updated my blog in over 2 weeks especially since I hit a grand milestone last week.  I had my last chemo session EVER on December 30, 2016.  I had been looking forward to this day of course ever since I started Chemo on September 23.  This day had so much meaning when I got diagnosed because it would mean 2016 would end and I would have a new beginning to life in 2017.  2016 was the year for the highest of highs with the birth of our son, Kiaan and the lowest of lows of getting Breast Cancer. Who knew one year could have so much meaning.  Although after my last session I felt like I was hit with a brick wall. Starting January 1st (ironic since it was the first day of 2017) I started the morning off fine but got hit with extreme bone and joint pain as the day progressed.  It only got worse as the week progressed.  I took alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 4 hours and still had no relief.  For the first time in my career I almost called off work because of the pain.  My finger and toe nails hurt so badly that I literally thought they were going to fall off.  This was all so new to me considering the side effects had been very minimal to this point.  I of course having the personality that I have kept on going.  I took naps during my breaks from work and slept as soon as I got home.  I did not want this last session to get the best of me.  I did not have energy to do anything else, which is the reason for my delayed post.

My last session of chemo felt like it was my birthday!  My sisters, our best friends, my brothers and my husband were all with me to celebrate.  I had gotten our nurses gifts for Christmas/thank you for everything they had done for us in the past 8 sessions.  Nurses deserve so much praise because they are at the forefront of patient care and I can’t thank them enough for being so kind, supportive and just good at what they do!  I always felt well taken care of and they never once made me feel like I was ”sick.”    This session started out a lot different than my other sessions because I had scheduled my mammogram and ultrasound for that morning as well.  My surgeon, Dr. Hansen needs imaging post chemo so she knows exactly where the tumor is and where she has to make the incision.  I had a breast MRI done a week prior and the radiologist told me that the tumor had shrunk from 5.8 to 3.2 cm (WAHOO!) and that I just needed a mammogram to confirm the size of my calcifications.  In true Northwestern fashion I got to my mammogram/ultrasound appointment 30 minutes early so they took me in right away.  Side note- I can not give enough praise to Northwestern as well.  This hospital has NEVER made us wait for a doctors appointments, blood work, imaging or even chemo they have always taken me at my scheduled appointment time or earlier.  Their model is amazing and as a patient I appreciate that they value my time.    The radiologist comes into the room after my ultrasound to show me the images right away and confirms that the tumor has in fact shrunk and agrees with the surgeons decision for a lumpectomy.  He also tells me that although my tumor usually responds to chemo that he has never seen such a great response.  Oh do I love this body of mine 🙂

After I complete my imaging appointments I head over to the other side to start my last session of chemo.  The infusion floor is a lot more packed than usual and we don’t get a private room this time.  We get seated in a POD and my nurse, Amy comes right away to start my pre-meds.  As my pre-meds are infusing my squad starts to show up with balloons, a sign and cupcakes!! I was SO excited.  Chemo sucks, hospitals suck but friends/family are what makes suffering through all of this worth it.  Our sweet friend, Hari got me custom cupcakes from Molly’s that each had a special word on them.  The first letter of each word spelled out chemotherapy and had a meaning that was related back to me.  He is so very thoughtful and I can’t thank you enough Hari for doing this for me!  My sister, Gargi made the sweetest sign that I got to take pictures with.  And then I had my support-my sister Sadhna, brother mitesh, future brother Rishi and of course my amazing husband, Bar.  After all the celebrating and pictures the boys left to go get us all lunch while my sisters stayed with me.   8 minutes into my Taxol infusion I got the feeling again that my throat was closing up.  My sister flagged down my nurse and she again had to administer another steroid to combat my allergic reaction.  Its so interesting how the human body works.  I didn’t have a reaction my first or third infusion but the second and last.  This was so scary for me but at least its the last time I will ever have to deal with it.

Because I knew chemo was ending December 3o we decided to host a New Year’s Eve party to celebrate the start of 2017 and end of 2016!  All of my closest friends and family were there and it was such a great way to ring in 2017.  I had prepared for weeks for this party  by pinterest-ing my way for the décor.  I love to host and I wanted this party to be one for the books.  Since it was also Kiaan’s first New Year I planned on it being extra special.   Before the party my sister,Sadhna and her fiancé Rishi came over early so we could exchange Christmas gifts and they got us the most thoughtful presents.  Because of chemo my anxiety has been off the charts and I had been looking up natural ways to cope with it.  Being a Chiropractor my fellow peers are always finding new things to help naturally.  A Himalayan salt lamp is something I came  across in my research and kept putting it off to purchase one.  Ironically Rishi bought me one for Christmas!  It has already helped keep me calm and I am so grateful for this gift.  Another side effect I have been having trouble withis sore and stiff muscles.  Sadhna bought me a gift card to red door salon, and our friend Hari got us massages at elements in the south loop.  Now that chemo is behind me I can’t wait to pamper myself with all these gifts.

Chemo has ended, 2016 has ended but the fight is not over.  I have a follow-up with my surgeon next week to discuss the results of my imaging and then surgery scheduled February 10th with radiation to follow.  Although this journey is not over I am so grateful for modern medicine that has helped me get this far and I am excited to get my hair, my nails and my body back to ‘normal.’