One more week

I keep counting down in my head to March 24.  This day is huge for me.  I have been waiting (im)patiently for this day since last November, and now it's just a week away.  After next week, I will have survived seven rounds of chemotherapy, including one treatment that tried to kill me.  If I had the energy, I would run up and down after my treatment, pumping my fists in the air yelling, "I AM THE CHAMPION."   I'll write it down on my calendar a week from that chemo to:

Run a chemo victory lap.

Right now, I want to show some major love for my chemo nurses because these ladies absolutely rock.  To be a chemo nurse, I think it takes a really special person with nerves of steel.  I have never encountered a surly chemo nurse or anyone who has me recoil and go, "Hmmm.  You're a jerkface."  The nurses in the chemo room are constantly moving from one patient to another to start a new drip or bag.  They are constantly surrounded by people who are sick and some who never get better, yet you never see the stress of that get to them.  At least, they never the let it show to their patients.  They have always been kind, funny and caring providers to me.  

When I went into shock during my first treatment, I was never in any real danger, per se.  My nurse was standing right there and was staring right at me.  As soon as I croaked out, "I'm having chest pains," she went running for the other nurse to come help me ASAP.  They were cool, calm and collected, while I was the panicky, "Zomg, I'm going to die 'cuz I can't breathe" person.  Imagine seeing and dealing with that on a semi-regular basis... talk about a high-stress job.

Finishing chemo is going to be a huge milestone for me.  I imagine when I finish radiation and I'm done with treatment all together is going to be even more insanely awesome.  I don't care what else happens this year, to be honest.  Nothing is going to be as amazing as being done with my cancer treatment.  I can't wait to go out and start enjoying life and making amazing memories with my sweetie.  Life is too short, and I'm looking forward to what Act Two has in store for us.