Chemo Day #4 – The Finale…#Banishtheblues

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Yay, I made it!  Had my last chemo today and in exactly two weeks I will take my bald head and one saggy boob and one sloshy boob (nope, I don’t mean hubby 😉 although he’s going, too) to the beautiful Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort for a week of sitting at the pool and just enjoying the warmth of the sun on Maui!

There was a lovely little ceremony at the Cancer Center where all the nurses, techs and volunteers congratulated me on completing my journey and beating cancer, I rang a bell to send me on my way, there were hugs and yes, some tears, and I got a chance to thank all the lovely people who were always fun and supportive and kind.  So, to Derrick, Kelly, Kari, Heather, Shannon, Juliet, today’s nurse, Tiffany, and everyone else at the Cancer Center, I love you all and really hope not to see you again! ❤

107 responses

  1. So happy for you!!! That is an awesome accomplishment!!! Enjoy your vacay you ‘ve have most definitely earned it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, we planned it a long time ago so I’m really happy we’ll be able to go and celebrate hubby ‘s birthday with three of the kids!

      Liked by 3 people

  2. Enjoy your vacation. Very well deserved😊

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    1. Thanks! We are excited to go!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m so happy to hear this! Yay!!!!!

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    1. The next few days I’ll feel crappy but should feel okay by the time we go. How are you all?

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Congratulations! So happy to hear that. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, the trip is for hubby’s birthday and I’m so glad we can still go!

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  5. Oh honey!!!!! Yayyyy 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m so glad.

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    1. Thanks, sis! I’m so glad we get to go on the trip, we planned it last year for hubby’s birthday and there are 8 of us going! So excited 😊

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      1. That’s so wonderful. Now, just rest up so you can have a great time ❤

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  6. Enjoy! Congratulations.

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  7. Such great news!!!! 😃

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    1. Thanks, heads were going to roll if I couldn’t make that trip 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Congratulations, Diane! And enjoy your trip, you so deserve it! 💜

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    1. Thanks, Kay, it’s a bday present for hubby and there’s 8 of us going so I’m so grateful it’s working out!

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      1. That’s so awesome! I’m excited for you.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Congratulation on your last treatment! That is so fantastic. Have a wonderful getaway to Maui.

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    1. Thanks, Holly, I’m pretty excited!

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      1. It’s so exciting. I’m green! 🙂 ❤

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  10. Congratulations!🎉 Hang in there for the next few days! Enjoy your well deserved beach time!🏖

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    1. Linda, thank you, so happy it’s working out! 3 of the kids, spouses and one grand are going, so we’re all excited…

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  11. Wow! Awesome! So happy for you and that you get your well-deserved vacation. Enjoy, enjoy!! ❤❤❤

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    1. Most of the way through this production and I get to go, so, yay! As long as this weather cooperates. So far, so good!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, Mother Nature has been vindictive in the Mid-West this year! 😕 I hope it doesn’t interfere with your travel plans!

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      2. It better not! I’ll need a lawyer to bail me out if something goes wrong!!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Right! Looks like we might be getting some of the weather for a change! I’m excited!

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  12. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a fun trip!

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    1. Thanks, C. It’s a bday present for hubby we’ve planned for a year, so very excited it worked out that I can go!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Yay!!!!! Enjoy your vacation! (I’m a good luggage carrier 😉)

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    1. Thanks, just bring the booze, my friend!

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      1. That’s a deal!! Woohoo!!

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  14. So happy that this journey is behind you! The one ahead sounds like it will be terrific and very well deserved. Enjoy and celebrate!!

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    1. Who knew it would be such a big production? Getting thru chemo and getting to take this trip is really important to me, planned it for hubby ‘s bday and 3 kids, spouses and one grand are going, too!

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      1. The more the merrier…I know you’ll enjoy every second. That’s the important lesson we all need to learn…safe travels and lots of fun & laughter!

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      2. Thanks, so looking forward to I!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I’m so happy for you! And the certificate with all those signatures… the celebration you describe… how wonderful! You deserve a fabulous vacation. And I need to know if you have a suitcase big enough for me to crawl into. 😀

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    1. It was sweet. And yes on the suitcase, but you’d be riding in baggage! Not good! We need to do a trip to the beach — it could be Myrtle Beach or Florida, we can trade for there, too!

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      1. I’m going to need a lottery win. Or at least a job. I can’t go anywhere right now! I’ll ride in baggage. I’m not picky. 🙂

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      2. You are such a trooper 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  16. VictoryInTrouble | Reply

    Congratulations! So glad you’re finished and you get to go away somewhere warm! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Vic, me, too. We planned the trip awhile ago,I’m so glad it’s working out.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. VictoryInTrouble

        Yes, definitely!

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  17. Congratulations! I am so happy for you, and soon you will be conferencing with the humpbacks in Maui! WOO HOO!

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    1. Thanks, Cindy, I’m so excited to be going now. Our first time getting to see the whales!

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  18. Congratulations. You my friend, are an inspiration.

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    1. Aww, so sweet of you to say! It’s been an eye opener, for sure!

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  19. A @ Inner Ramblings Boulevard | Reply

    Lovely. Congrats. Enjoy your vacation. ☺ 🌷

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    1. Thanks, A. I need to come over and visit more. The last few months have been tiring!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. A @ Inner Ramblings Boulevard

        Don’t worry. Just focus on being well. Hugs 🌷

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  20. Congrats! And what a great reward! Enjoy and stay well, Diane!

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  21. Yay, Diane! May this ending be the start of wonderful, wonderful things!

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    1. Thanks, Pam. Fingers crossed it all goes well!

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  22. Woohoo! Congratulations, and enjoy every minute of that amazing holiday! xxx

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    1. I definitely think it will banish the blues!

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  23. So happy for you, D. You are indeed AWESOME…and now you have the certificate to prove it. Enjoy every minute of that vacation ! Go get ’em. 💖

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I am sure you are greatly relieved to be done with your treatment. Wishing you a year filled with good health.

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    1. Thanks, B, we’re hoping for a year with neither of us in the hospital!

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  25. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. So glad to be done with this part!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m so happy for you!!!!!!!!

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  26. You crack me up and a big CONGRATULATIONS! WOO HOO!!!! Last one. That must feel soooo good. Hope you and the boob(s) enjoy the sunshine. 😉

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    1. Thanks, K, we definitely will!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Yay! So, so happy for you!

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    1. Thanks! I cannot wait to do the trip and keep moving on…

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  28. I am so happy for you and wish you a smooth and perfect journey away from this disease. I have not posted any comment to your open and inspiring chronicle of what you have lived. Now that you have passed this milestone, I feel free to thank you for including us and to wish you many happier things to write about. Enjoy a wonderful trip,

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    1. Thank you, Isobel, it’s been really cathartic for me to share! Or overshare, as I’m known to do! 😉

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  29. Life threw you a very large lemon and you definitely chucked it back! What an incredibly hard journey you’ve been on and I wish you the very best, with your holiday being just the start of an amazing new chapter in your journey through life! Well done, a very big congratulations and a MASSIVE Hug – all sent with love! xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Wendy, believe me, I did not feel alone at all on this journey. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but I hope I showed that early detection and treatment can make breast cancer very manageable. But I’m so glad chemo is over!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You certainly have shown how to deal with whatever life throws in the most positive way possible and that it’s possible to move through and come out the other side. You are truly inspiring! Thankfully…I can’t possibly imagine how glad you must be that chemo is behind you and now you can dream big for your future… xxx

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You’re very welcome and have a fantastic holiday! x

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  30. That is absolutely wonderful! I’m very, very happy for you! Have a fantastic time in Maui! (I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve heard it’s a great place for relaxing.)

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    1. It is so beautiful there and this will be the first time we will see the whales that winter there!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That sounds wonderful! I hope you an amazing time. 🙂

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  31. Well done my dearest Diane. Now go for that relaxing time. I’m glad you are done with this and you handled it with so much style and courage.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. hey congrats@@@
    now go slow, relax, ease back into real life, HEAL.

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    1. Thanks, Vi, sorry, you were in my spam and I’ve forgotten to check there. I’m so excited about vacation in Hawaii next week!

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  33. sportsattitudes | Reply

    Maui will never be the same. I hope they’re ready for you guys! Congrats Diane!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Great news, followed by a great vacation, I wish you all the best!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. This is great news. And to think, other friends and I celebrated ending chemo with a bottle of wine or a movie. Seriously, I’m celebrating with you, Dee – in your honor I made a 8″ deep snow angel. Thanks! My tailbone actually feels better. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

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    1. Funny, Roo! Thanks for the snow angel, lol! We are actually celebrating hubby ‘s birthday and I am thrilled I’m cleared to travel!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Happy birthday to hubby and many happy returns!

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    2. Hi Robert!!! It’s good to see you here at Diane’s party. Thanks for the like ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Congrats! That is awesome. Enjoy your vacation!

    Liked by 2 people

  37. Yayyy! Congratulations! And have some great fun in the sun!! Goodness knows you deserve a little R&R! 😀

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    1. Thanks, Paula, celebrating hubby’s birthday with some of the kids, I literally cannot wait I’m so excited!

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Ah, such slushy sentimentality. 🙂 Well done, Dee.

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    1. I do wax poetic sometimes, don’t I? 😉 Thank you, Robert, glad it’s behind me!

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      1. Nah, you’re lovely, Dee. But yes – glad you’re through it. 🙂

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  39. Brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations, Diane! So happy for you. Enjoy the well-deserved vacation! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Em. I was surprised at the amount of people getting chemo at just my one suburban Chicago hospital. Makes you feel much less singled out in having cancer!

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Yippee, Diane! I am so happy for you. This is a celebration of joy. 🙂
    Good for you for going to nurture yourself. That is so important, isn’t it?
    Sending you lots of blessings from Los Angeles!!! So glad I saw this post,
    Love,
    Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Deb, we r stopping overnight in San Fran on our way out next week. Hope you all are safe from flooding!

      Liked by 1 person

  41. yay, congratulations and happy trails from here on out. thank you for reading and following my blog – best, beth

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Of course, and thanks for your best wishes. I’m glad to put some of this behind me already!

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  42. This is great news. Congratulations Diane!💖

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  43. coastalcherokee | Reply

    This is awsome news congratuations

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, almost done with everything. And I’m even getting some hair back!

      Like

  44. Congratulations!! That is awesome. Enjoy your well earned break. I am up to cycle 5 and know how hard chemo can be on your body. Good luck for the future and savour every moment.

    Like

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