Today is my last infusion and it was BYOB. Bring Your Own Bell. The infusion center doesn’t have a wall bell so we are making sure I have my own little celebration.
And the day started off celebratory right from the beginning, with texts from friends and family celebrating this moment with me.
This infusion is my “last chemo” though actually it’s not technically chemotherapy. The medication is called Herceptin, or Traztuzumab, and it’s considered a targeted therapy. Patients with HER2+ breast cancer typically do one year of this medication to prevent recurrence.
But it’s another one of those survivor milestones. A big one. After today, I’m no longer considered in “active treatment” (though I have 5-10 years of oral meds to take). Today I get to ring a bell- and then more importantly, toss (read: burn) this poor white v neck t-shirt I’ve worn every third Friday morning for a year.
I knew Matt (husband), Oli (son), and dear friend Peggy were in the lobby, waiting to join me in celebration. And then we’d head to brunch with a few other friends as well. I was wearing my “brunch pants” (aka party pants).
When I walked out into the lobby I was surprised with even more of my friends, multiple bells, and pink hats that read’ “BELL YEAH!”
I was so overwhelmed by the love.
These women (and others who were there in spirit) have been with me through the hardest year of my life. What a huge blessing this has been. They came with BELLS ON, literally.
Of all the things this year has taught me, celebrating the moments & creating our own joy is the highlight. Sometimes you just need to bring your own bell.
