I am typing this update through tears because I JUST FINISHED CHEMOTHERAPY! I am overwhelmed with gratitude, empowerment, and anxiety over what is yet to come in my cancer battle. But to finish chemo is likely the most intense hurdle I will overcome throughout this process. 

I feel compelled to reflect on the past 6 months, both the good and the bad. 

On one hand...
- I don't wish the initial diagnostic period on my worst enemy; that whole experience was traumatic
- I lost about 20-30% of my hair
- I lost all my eyebrows and eyelashes
- I struggled through scalp cooling because the entire process and meticulous hair care is not for the faint of heart
- I desperately miss working and exercising that part of my brain
- The effects of chemo are cumulative and that has become very true toward the end; I will feel horrible for about the next 5-6 days
- I'm in medically induced menopause and hot flashes are unreal

BUT on the other hand...
- I continued to lift weights 5 days a week throughout chemo
- I almost never missed one of the kids' sporting or school events
- I KEPT the vast majority of my hair! 
- My eyebrows and lashes are already growing back! 
- My mid-way MRI could not detect my defined tumor!
- I maintained my weight throughout treatment
- I have the absolute BEST circle of family, friends, and coworkers imaginable 
- Cancer is strong, but I am stronger

For the remainder of this week I will feel like hot garbage as I recover from this last round of chemotherapy. I expect I'll feel crappy through the weekend and will start returning to myself early next week. Then, we shift focus to surgery. 

Next week I have a post-chemo MRI that will help prepare my breast surgeon. In two weeks, I have my pre-op appointments with my plastic surgeon for reconstruction. At the end of October we run my labs again to check my blood cell counts and confirm that I've recovered enough from chemo to undergo surgery. For now, my surgery is tentatively scheduled for early November (not yet sure if I will have one or two surgeries).

As we turn the corner into the next big phase of treatment, I want to thank you all again for your support, helping hands, and delicious meals. 

For now...peace out chemo! I'm done with you!