November & December: Wrapping Things Up

 Hi there friends and family, it's been a while since I've posted on my blog. 

Here was my last post that I was working on around Thanksgiving....

As I write this to you, I just finished my last round of chemotherapy this week Monday, November 30th! We had pushed the date of my last session back to after Thanksgiving so I could enjoy all the time with family, loved ones, and the delicious food. It was such a special weekend. My dad was released from the hospital after a triple bypass heart surgery the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We weren't sure if he was going to be home from the hospital but thanks to many people's prayers and his hard work, he was able to come home. My brothers were both able to come into town from Kalamazoo and Chicago area. I was thankful we were able to carry on Thanksgiving traditions. My friend Alecia and I go downtown Detroit every Thanksgiving morning for almost the past 10 years or so for the Turkey Trot. We couldn't cancel, so we decided that we would participate in my parents' neighborhood Turkey Trot this year by walking. I was very glad we were able to continue with this tradition. We watched the Lions, my boyfriend Chris was able to join us that day too as we celebrated. We were able to Zoom family members that weekend and catch up a little bit.  The rest of the weekend we spent a lot of time with Chris' family and my own. It was such a special weekend. I was grateful for every moment. 

                            

                  

 In the past, I've had issues with my IV insert and getting my blood drawn. Thankfully both went really well this time! I did end up getting sick when they took me up to my room for the day. The nurse said that it was anticipatory nausea. Thankfully I felt extremely better after this, they gave me some more medicine and I ended up sleeping through the entirety of my treatment! My mom picked me up with yellow balloons attached to a cowbell. I walked up to her and she rang the bell. I gave her a huge hug as tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe I was done and had finally made it! 

             

Side effects have been pretty standard... food is still weird, still have a bit of nausea, sleeping in quite a bit too. I am quite honestly pretty excited to kick these side effects and be back to normal come January. My final Petscan will be Monday, January 4th. So prayers that I continue to stay cancer-free and my body responds well to this final round of chemotherapy.  So thankful to be walking into this Christmas season with this confidence! 

The holiday season was so special and being able to enjoy all the things I love... more time spent with family, all the pretty lights, cooking and baking delicious things, exploring new towns, and hot chocolate.