She might spring a leak! Or ding-dong the cancer's dead!

Finally July 26 arrived--my 16th chemo.  Bev, my sister who is also an oncology nurse, drove me. I brought flowers and chocolates for the nurses and staff who had been so kind and good to me. They all deserve a special spot in heaven. 

My veins continued to be uncooperative but finally Cathy was able to get a line in my left hand. They joked that they had better not give me liquids because I might spring a leak (I had so many sticks).

I wasn't the only patient graduating that day. A young man graduated ahead of me.  The nurses blew bubbles and gave him a big bell to ring.  I was touched when he wished me luck.

Finally the chemo bags were empty, and they put a big pink frame around me. and gave me the bell! My friend Polly Tullock brought awesome chocolate cookies to celebrate.  I cried, Bev cried. We didn't look so pretty, but I was done! 

I never want to do this again, and it's likely that i won't have to because my ultra sound from yesterday (nearly a week later) indicated the cancer is gone. Dr. Roulier looked but couldn't see tumors in my breast or lymph nodes. She said, "You've had a terrific response to the chemo." Whew! But I asked Dan to call her to verify what I heard. He texted back: "No cancer anywhere.." These results are important for another reason besides the obvious (the cancer is gone).. Dan says that if you have a complete response to the chemo, chances are that your cancer won't recur.   I was so relieved. I nearly cried again but I was trying to keep it together.  My dear friend Judith drove me and waited for me forever as they did the ultrasound.  I was shaking a bit from adrenaline when it was over.

On Monday August 7, I meet with the surgeon and he'll tell me about what to expect with surgery. It will probably be a lumpectomy, but I don't know if they will take out lymph nodes too.   We will see. I hope the roughest part of fighting the cancer is over.