Targeted Therapy Infusions are DONE!

I'm On December 8th, I received my last infusion of herceptin. I had a shorter visit to the chemo lab for my last dose. They gave me a certificate and a blanket, then I hit the gong and hugged the nurses. It's been a long year and I was fighting back the tears. I don't know if it's that I'll miss the wonderful nurses or if it's the huge emotional sigh of relief at the end of it all. I feel like I held strong during all of it, like I just did what had to be done with the best attitude I could because there really wasn't an option. But now that it's over and I look back, it's a little sad. As pathetic as it sounds, I feel sad that I had to go through it. 

There are things that remind me of that time and of feeing sick. It's hard to face those things, kind of like the aversions from morning sickness. For example, my hats/scarves, I can't stand to look at them. But there's a pessimist hoarder in me that's worried I'll need them again one day and wish I had them. Sad, I know. There are foods and situations that remind me of chemo too. Like I hate the smell of the medicine cupboard. Reminds me of getting all my meds. 

I decided to end my clinical trial so that's why I'm done early. The Perjeta was causing such a horrible side effect with my skin. Some people have said it sounds like shingles, but it isn't shingles. My arms and neck itch and burn and sting and it's awful! The doctors don't have a lot of experience with this side effect from this drug, so they are trying everything they can think of to help my skin. Nothing's really worked. I can ice it to numb it, but now that there's snow outside icing makes me too cold! I can use lidocaine creams and patches too. I just hope it goes away soon!!

Oh and the port is out! That means it's really done. But oh how thankful I am for ports!!!! I can't imagine getting all of those infusions through my veins. I wouldn't have any usable veins left. 

I've got another outpatient surgery with my plastic surgeon next week and that should be it!! Now it's time to keep working out and attempting to eat better (exercise is much easier for me than eating right). I just need to get healthy and strong and get all of this behind me.