Friday will be the first treatment of my last cycle of chemotherapy. And let me tell you, it’s been a bitch.

When we began, I had a long conversation with my oncologist. I was fairly disappointed with the treatment options available for my type of cancer. And I let him know that I felt there was a failure in the oncology community regarding research for my type of cancer.

He apparently took that conversation to heart. I received a phone call from him that evening explaining that he wanted to change the treatment protocol. It would be pretty brutal but, he felt it would be more effective.

I had told him my goals were 1) LIVE 2) Save the hair if possible. But obviously, live was most important.

He hadn’t misled me. This has been absolutely brutal. The nausea and fatigue getting worse with each treatment. I’ve lost about 50%-60% of my hair. Thankfully, it’s just “thinned” so far and there are no blatant bald patches. I do have a wig if I feel I need it but, I’m just focused on getting through treatment right now.

Had it not been for the amazing care from my team at the Winchester Cancer Center, I think things would be very different. They thankfully, have remained keenly aware of my MS and treated me accordingly. Including hydrating me 3 times a week.

It became very clear right away that I couldn’t stay hydrated. And they responded beautifully. Proactively. The way medicine should be practiced.

I’m also so incredibly fortunate to have a best friend like Terri Maguire who basically just stepped in and took over managing all my care. Including driving me to most of my appointments and taking care of myself and the dogs every day. I honestly couldn’t have done this without her. The hours she’s had to sit in the hospital or the cancer center are ridiculous. As my healthcare proxy, she’s had a couple of scares. The worst being when they tore my sub-clavian artery. I, was blissfully asleep. And had no knowledge anything was wrong until I woke up and saw the look on the surgeon’s face. Terri, unfortunately was aware of what went wrong and what the possibilities were. I was thankful she had been there in that situation. I know she was frightened but she doesn’t panic. And that, is a trait you need in those situations.

Terri built her house next door to me about 24 years ago. Something she is so regretting right now. Thankfully, she loves that house.

And I have to also thank Katie McGinness who once was an adorable 3 year old who just wanted to hang out and play with my dogs and now is an amazing young woman who stepped up to help Terri when needed. All those years with the dogs paid off. She’s been able to fill in with the dogs when needed. She’s an amazing dog handler in her own right now.

Terri also recruited two of her sisters to help. Karen, who stayed with me in the hospital during and after my lung surgery as well driving me a couple of times for treatment and Linda, who despite being allergic to dogs drove me to treatment a couple of times.

It takes a village.

Through it all, I’ve been less than useless. On the verge of needing transfusions a few times. But as my neurologist said “We can deal with your MS later. Treat the cancer!” And we have.

Terri and I were both taken aback to hear my oncologist use the word “curative” when talking to us one day about how bad the treatment was. If true, it’s obviously worth it. But, there’s never a guarantee with cancer.

I’ll finish my treatment on May 11. I finish with the treatment that really wipes out my red blood cells. So, I don’t know how long it will take to start to feel like myself again.

I have so much I want to do. Start working out again, begin respiratory rehab, eat normally, drive! Just live my life again.

Do I know the cancer can come back? Yes. I will have PET scans and actually won’t have my port removed until after the first or second PET scan.

Do I worry? Somewhat. But, I can’t control it. I’ve done everything I could do. And I don’t believe in worrying about things I can’t control. If it does, I’ll deal with it then.

I just know I’m almost done with this chapter. The rest is still unwritten.