Chemo Bell!
Ringing the bell with these amazing people!
Phase 2: Time to Celebrate! 🔔
This past Wednesday marked my 12th and final round of chemo, and I got to ring the bell! When I started back in June, 12 rounds—and all those weeks ahead—seemed almost impossible to imagine. But here I am… DONE! Well, done with that part.
And I have to celebrate another little victory: cold capping worked! I’ve managed to keep the majority of my hair through all 12 rounds, which I’m incredibly grateful for. That said, I’ve been told to expect some hair loss in the next few weeks, particularly my eyelashes and eyebrows. So I’m enjoying what I’ve got while I’ve got it!
My oncologist also reminded me that while the chemo treatments are finished, it takes about three months for the effects of chemo to fully leave your body. So I know there is still some recovery ahead, and I’ll need to give my body plenty of time, patience, and grace.
There is still more to the journey, but this feels like a BIG milestone worth celebrating.
I’ll continue with an infusion called Herceptin through June of next year to target the HER2+ cells. It’s every three weeks and takes about 45 minutes, so compared to chemo, it sounds like a much easier chapter—with minimal side effects, they say. I’ll happily take that!
And hopefully, I’ll round out the year with reconstruction, which will be another big step forward.
For now, though, I’m taking a moment to celebrate this milestone. Twelve rounds. So many emotions. So many appointments. So much strength I didn’t know I had.
Again, thank you for all your love and support,
Love, Kate