When the bell rings...

Ring this bell

Three times well

Its toll to clearly say,

My treatment's done

This course is run

And I am on my way!

~Irve Le Moyne

I hardly know where to begin- my grateful heart is bursting right now.  

This past week has been filled with surprises. 

In a way- it seems the bells have been going off all week.

First came all the cool stuff in the mail.  (See above.)

We also enjoyed more delicious meals prepared so generously by our friends.  We are well fed and grateful for the energy it has helped me conserve this week.

Rick's birthday was yesterday and we had a great dinner out.

I got a haircut and color from Amanda who gifts me with her time and talent so often.

I was so surprised to run into the secretary from my former Riverside Elementary School- Mrs. Jones.  She is 91 years old and as spunky as ever.  She said to me "I don't remember seeing you very often in my office- you must have behaved yourself!"  

Then I mentioned my mother to her, and she instantly remembered her.  "She gave me that coffee mug, and I still drink from it today!"  

I was also lucky enough to meet her daughter, who acknowledges that she reads my blog, and I was so touched by her kind and gracious words to me.  I know I will see her again soon.  

And today I completed my 15th and final day of radiation! 

My friend Heather, the charge nurse in radiation oncology, and one of the sweetest souls I have ever known, gave me the beautiful pink roses (above) after completing my last treatment session this morning.

Then she asked if I'd like to ring the bell.

Without even a hesitation, I embraced the chance.

I've been practicing my "word" so much, "embracing"seems like second nature.

Today, what I noticed, was how much- I was being embraced right back. 

Its true, for some, the ringing of the bell signifies a completion of treatment, in a way in which they may never have to do treatment again.

For me, I remain ever-hopeful, that while this latest chapter on radiation has closed, that re-visiting this form of treatment, is still a future option.  

My appointment with Dr. Panwalkar on Wednesday went well.   He had just read Dr. Foster's report and was encouraged by my radiation treatment.

He quickly went over my lab report acknowledging my counts have taken a hit, as would be expected with the radiation I've had.  But they aren't dangerously low, and should begin to improve again.  

I asked him what the plan was for treatment, and he said he'd like me to start back on Tykerb again on Monday.  

And then at some point in our chat, he casually mentioned he had read my blog.

I gulped.

Looked down.

Smiled.

Then said… "Welllll?"

He laughed and said…"Its good! You write well. And it was so nice, what you said about me."

And I laughed.   

Because he sounds so incredulous that someone would say kind things about him… and he has no idea …but I only know kind things about him.  What else could I possibly write?  

He concludes our visit by also mentioning he has run into someone who knows me.

He mentions being at the store owned by my cousin Rob and his wife Jana.

I smile even bigger.  

I imagine Jana somehow recognized Dr. P's name - maybe through the blog- and she mentioned me?

All I really know- is- its a small world.

The "bells" have been ringing all week long, reminding me of just this, and how lucky I am to still play a part.