Chemotherapy put our lives on pause. It was hard to think about what would happen afterwards, in the middle and each day - although the last four treatments of Taxol were far less abusive to my body.
Every time we stepped into the hospital on chemo day and they'd take my blood sample to make sure I was healthy enough for treatment - I'd pray that we could just stay on schedule. Anything difficult is easier to endure when you have an end date.
I don't know when the tradition to ring the bell at the end of treatment began, but I was unsure whether I wanted to do it or not. The bell at Roswell is in the main lobby, off in the corner. We'd never heard or seen anyone use it and it almost looked like a prop instead of something to really use.
But, I rang that bell. In the lobby, it echoes up the four levels into the atrium. It's loud and clear. My in-laws were there and brought our kids - a moment for all of us to celebrate the end of this weird, weird time. I had been tearing up all day thinking about how victorious it was going to feel. I was holding it together until everyone in the lobby clapped and cheered for me - who knows how many of those people had gone through the same experience. I think they should also add a neon sign that blinks "F#$K CANCER!"
So proud of you, Babydoll. Xoxo
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