Thursday the 16th of February of 2012 was the last day of Grandma M’s cancer treatment. Yes, we still have to wait a month to make sure the tumor is dead. I have great faith this will come to pass.

Unfortunately, I was not able to be with her on her last day of treatment. I wanted to wait for her to come out with a sign that said, “You did it!” I was with her in spirit and I hope she knows that. No, I know she does.

She is now enjoying a well-deserved month long vacation. Still trying to talk her into Disneyland, but hey, I think the fact that she does not have to see another doctor, machine, or IV bag for a while is enough.

The story is far from over. We have a party to plan. I have a butterfly necklace to return. Until then.

Thank you Lord.

We in the blog world know that all caps are the equivalent of yelling in the real world. Today is Grandma M’s last day of chemo. NO MORE CHEMO! Oh yes, she, I and all of us have earned the right to shout that phrase.

This is week six of everything and after Thursday (last day of radiation) it is time for a well deserved month off. Damn, I think we ought to hop the next flight to Hawaii or Jamaica or…Disneyland! Isn’t that what winning quarterbacks say when they win the Super Bowl? I think every winning cancer patient should be asked, “What are you doing next?”

Cancer patient, “I’m going to Disneyland!!!”

That aside, I snuck around last week and took a few photos of the radiation department. I was not sure if it was ok so I hid out in the changing room and waited for the treatment to start. I turned off my flash, waited for the tech to disappear and then got a few shots. Since the flash was off the photos are a little grainy but you can get the idea.

This is the entrance to the treatment area where the beast lives. I swear that door is almost a foot thick.

When the treatment is going on the sign lights up and you hear the beast music.

Oh, Grandma M, the X-Ray sign does light up in the beginning.

In the very small waiting room is a TV that has never been on, along with magazines, books, and puzzles. This puzzle was worked on by patients and families for over 5 weeks. There was a running joke that you had to find at least one piece everyday. I never found one. Kudos to those that did.

Time to get off the Interwebs and get ready for the last long day. Pray for Grandma M’s recovery and back to normal life. All kidding aside (remember? humor?) the road had been tough, but she stayed on the road and that is the important part. It takes a lot of guts and determination to live through something like this. And I do mean Live.

So maybe I might be caught sneaking around the chemo room today.

Yesterday Grandma M attended her second to last chemo treatment and she now has only a week and a half of radiation. Her doctor is pleased with her progress and how well she has handled the whole process.

I must say she looks great. Much better than at the beginning. We met a new partner in the cancer crime. A very nice couple. The wife apparently has been involved in her battle for quite some time. She is holding her own. I could not believe it when I learned she was 86 years young. She does not look this age and we wish them the best.

Yesterday, chemo ended up a four hour long process. The chemo room has four nurses and usually two medical assistants. Yesterday we had Nurse Slow IV Drip. Or I might call her Nurse Bossy. We had her the first day and did not break out until over four hours. She tends to be a bit brash and kept stepping on my backpack. She would make a great military nurse.

I left for a bit to visit the library around the block from the office. I returned to find Grandma M hooked up to oxygen. She had a coughing attack (side effect of radiation.) Geeze, I leave for a half hour and this is what you do? (Just kidding! Humor right?)

One more chemo treatment. Just one request. Can we please watch a different movie? We’ve seen the same movie three weeks in a row. Just saying.