(re)mission accomplished!

Almost, but NOT quite, crossing a line here....

A couple of weeks ago, my oncology nurse called to remind me of an upcoming appointment. They always call a couple of days beforehand, because they deal with people who have “cancerbrain” (forgetfulness, lack of focus) every day and they probably quickly grew tired of patients forgetting their appointments. She said it was marked “FINAL” on my chart and I asked, “Does this mean you’re all finally tired of me and you plan to put me to sleep?”

After a pause, she said, “Uh, no, and you know we aren’t even close to being tired of you, you goose. It means Tuesday is your last infusion.”

Wait, what, now? Last infusion? But aren’t the infusions keeping the mutant cancer cells dying by the millions and turning me into a superhero?

The thought of stopping them was scary.

Dr. Waits explained that since my bloodwork had improved so dramatically, and stayed within normal ranges for months, i don’t need the infusions anymore.

Whoa.

So. on my last infusion day, Sharon took me out to the big canvas hanging in the hallway. On it was one word, “Hope,” and the inscriptions of others who survived before me. She handed me a black Sharpie, which I returned after digging a purple one from my bag.

Here’s what I wrote: “When I began treatment for leukemia, I felt hope. As my treatment progressed and my cancer regressed, I knew my hope was justified. As I complete my last treatment today, I am hope personified. You are in good hands here, NEVER lose hope.”

Then I went back to the infusion center to gather up my things. There was Dr. Waits, standing by my chair holding a smiley-face balloon.

It was time to ring the bell, the bell I had stared at every infusion, as it was mounted on the wall across from my “regular” chair. Only survivors ring the bell, and I was about to cross the line from “fighter” to “survivor”.

The nurses all gathered around, and I rang that sucker so vigorously, I broke it. :-)

I still go in once a month now to get bloodwork and make sure the leukemia stays at bay. I also have my intravenous port flushed, which is exactly as exciting as it sounds.

I did it, you guys :-)

Patti is Editor of the Greene County Daily World. She loves kitty-cats, drinking wine and listening to records with good friends. If you would like to share a story or just make a friend, she can be reached at pattippdanner@gmail.com.