Celebrate Good Time C'mon!

Yay radiation is complete! To start my day my Mother picked me up to bring me to my last appointment. My father called while we were en route so we could all  say "woohooo" together. One more morning in a pink johnnie. They got me all set up and I gleefully counted the 20 seconds of the radiation treatment. When I was done I met with the radiation RN who gave me my discharge instructions (Jean's cream 3 times a day for 2 more weeks at least) and my diploma. That's right I have a formal piece of paper that says I successfully completed radiation. Signed by the doctor, nurse and radiation tech. Let's just say it shall be framed.

Meanwhile,  my mother was busy getting a grand tour of the radiation suite. Everyone was excited that someone who worked there 34 years ago could see how it was all set up today. She was taken into every treatment room and they found the doctor that she worked with. He was really excited to see her. It was great.

How do I know that my no touch policy is forever gone? I hugged no less than 15 people today. 5 of them while I was wearing a pink johnnie. These are great strides people. There was much celebrating with my  colleagues throughout the hospital today. I hugged or high fived someone on every floor I went to. Also, the experience came full circle today when I was leaving the hospital my chemo infusion nurse was leaving too. She saw the pink flowers and pink frosted cupcakes I was carrying out and asked what the occasion was? I told her I was finished with radiation today and we both did a little celebration dance that looked like this:

Today I finally put the pink ribbon on my lab coat at work. My colleagues have been wearing one since August on theirs for me and my mother wore hers on every single outfit every single day though out treatment. After I was finished with treatment I felt now was the time to proudly wear mine.

Next steps: In two weeks I start tamoxifen (estrogen suppressor) which I will take for the next 5 years at least. Within the next month I will start the clinical trial for the breast cancer vaccine. At the end of March I will have a mamogram and follow up with the surgeon. In April I will follow up with the radiation oncologist and in May I will follow up with the medical oncologist. Watched closely much?

I will continue to post my experiences as a breast cancer survivor, but today is a day made for celebrating. And eating lobster and a lot of cake.