CHEMO - ROUND SIX, CYCLE TWO

THE END!

I was almost giddy this morning.  Excited to have chemotherapy behind us.  Four months and twenty five days (a.k.a. - 142 days) is a long time.  It's 20 days more than one-third of a year.  And at times it has felt longer than that.

Many days full of discouragement.  Watching my son lay in his bed feeling cruddy. Often when I would walk  past his room, I would find him on his knees next to his bed ... praying.

Chemo went exactly how we were told it would.  No infections, no major complications, no delays.  We have been lucky (a.k.a. - blessed)!   

I was so excited to hand out our thank you gifts that I could hardly wait.  Taylor was kind of shy and unsure about it.  But in the end he enjoyed it once he saw how happy it made the doctors and nurses.

Due to risk of infection, the oncology department has very strict rules about no siblings and only two adults with each patient.  However they agreed to allow family members to wait just outside the clinic to join in the celebration.

Checking in.  Weight, height and vitals.

Hopefully, his last port access.

This is Jessica.  She was Taylor's nurse for his very first chemo.  

How appropriate that she is again for his last.

We had hoped that our family would be there to share it with us.  But Colton couldn't get off work and Jonah just plain didn't want to come.  (The whole thing really scares him.)

Taylor was ready to bolt.

The nurses came clapping and singing.

The nurses presented this monstrous bear to Taylor!

Lots of hugs.

The tears were flowing.

So grateful to these amazing people!

Ring the bell Mr. Taylor ..you're done!

The smile of relief.

The bear is almost as big as Taylor!

Since they have been our main support during this trial, we invited the Floyd family help us celebrate Taylor's last treatment.  In the beginning, Stephanie offered to accompany us to Taylor's chemo treatments when Shane wasn't able to go.  It turned out that he was only able to attend three treatments, including today.  My cousin Leslie was able to come to one.  And Stephanie came with us to all of the others.  She has been a mother, a sister and a friend to me throughout this difficult experience. I can't tell you how grateful both Taylor and I have been for this.

We have shared many long hours with the Floyd's and the oncology staff during the past four plus months.  Thank you for all that you have done.  Chemotherapy - DONE, OVER, FINISHED, THE END... HOORAY!!!!!!

GOODBYE!