Ring That Bell!

Thursday 14th September - Tuesday 19th September

I AM DONE! Yesterday (Monday 18th Sept) I had my final dose of radiotherapy! Apart from friends coming over to our house for dinner on Sunday 17th, the past few days since my last blog don't seem to have any significance - only yesterday - my final radiotherapy treatment. It meant the start of a new chapter in my recovery, a chapter where, apart from my Herceptin every 3 weeks, I don't have to have any further treatment - all I have to do is concentrate on getting really well and getting through any of the 'left over' side effects of the chemo and of course the radiotherapy.
I must just mention that on Friday 15th I attended the Lymphoedema Clinic - all is well! I have no excess swelling or fluid in my left arm after the lymph nodes being taken from my left armpit. I have another check up in November. Also on Saturday I managed to go to Essex University open day - Reno and Sam had been earlier in the year when I wasn't so well, so we decided to go and have another look to give me a taste of the University that Sam hopes to get a place in - I approve!!!!
Back to Monday! - after my final treatment I had a review appointment where I was given a copy of my treatment plan and some information regarding side effects which can reach a peak 7-10 days after the last treatment. I have another appointment on 7th November by which time any side effects will have passed and the clinic will just make sure that I have no worries about anything and that any side effects have passed and healed. I was asked if I had any questions but I only had one - "Please can I ring the bell now?" "Of course! It's a must!" was the answer!
In the reception of the radiotherapy department there is a large brass bell fixed to a plaque on the wall - the bell was donated by a Karl & Shirl Barber and customers of The Railway Inn, Aldeburgh - on the side of the plaque is the following rhyme by Irve Le Moyne:-

Ring this bell

Three times well

Its toll to clearly say

My treatments done

This course is run

And I am on my way

Each radiotherapy patient gets to ring the bell after their last treatment and everyone around applauds! So I made my way into reception and.............I rang that bell! and the applause followed, I felt quite emotional as I left the department and made my way to the car.

 

So I guess that now my journey is almost done, I feel relieved, uncertain, happy, tired, elated, a bit insecure.................yes a whole range of emotions - it's been a tough year and I know I still have some recovery time to go as well as regular check up appointments. I am so grateful for all the doctors, nurses, radiotherapists, and surgeons who have made me well - they are all my heroes.  I am grateful and want to thank all my family and friends who have been on this journey with me, whose support has been so much appreciated, especially my sisters Anita and June - there have been times that I simply would not have got through if it wasn't for them and at times I wasn't the best of patients to look after - they will know what I mean! Of course words cannot express my love for Reno and Sam they are my world and my fight was for them above all. They have had so much to put up with but they have taken it all in their stride keeping me focused throughout.

 

I hope this blog may help others who find themselves in a similar situation to me.

 

So during the past 8 months 20days after diagnosis of breast cancer:-

 

I accepted it    -    I fought it with every bit of strength I had    -    and    -    I BEAT IT!!!!!