It's a Celebration!

How did you mark the end of chemotherapy?

March 14, 2011 by JBBC

A reader contacted me looking for some advice.

Her mom is scheduled to have her last session of chemotherapy this week and her daughter wonders how best to celebrate the event.

So, what advice can you give her? Did you do anything to celebrate or mark your final session of chemo?

I would love for you to share your thoughts with this reader.

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Posted in Family | Tagged end of chemotherapy, marking the end of chemo | 8 Comments

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1. on March 14, 2011 at 10:01 pm | Replydebbie

   On my final session of chemo my friend who went to most of my sessions with me baked chocolate chip cookies and we handed them out to anyone who was up for them. On my final Herceptin I baked pumpkin bread and gave it to all the people in the oncologist’s office. On my last day of Radiation I did the same thing. I know some people celebrate really big, it depends on how your Mom is feeling physically and mentally and emotionally.
   • on March 14, 2011 at 10:32 pm | ReplyJBBC

     Hi Debbie – how sweet – thanks for sharing hon x
2. on March 14, 2011 at 10:25 pm | ReplyBarbara

   I never feel very good that day so there were no big celebrations just hugs from all the nurses which was nice. I also received 2 surprise bouquets at my door congratulating me for making it through. That made me smile knowing people recognized what a major accomplishment it was.
   • on March 14, 2011 at 10:31 pm | ReplyJBBC

     Hi Barbara, thanks for taking the time to leave your comment. I didn’t feel up to much celebrating on the day either as I always felt too sick after chemo for a week or so after a session, but it is nice to have the hugs 
3. on March 15, 2011 at 3:03 am | Replyfeistybluegecko

   Interestingly this is something very much on my mind at the moment as I marked a year yesterday from my 7th chemo, and the anniversary of my 8th (and hopefully last) chemo will be on 4 April.

   I had expected to feel like celebrating but on the actual day I felt very different. In my blog I wrote that when the needle came out “I was completely overcome, and cried like a baby …… It was totally unexpected and I am not quite sure what happened. I think a mix of relief, disbelief that it is finished, and after months of holding things together during the chemo procedures I was overcome by the enormity of what I have been through.”
   The details are here-http://feistybluegeckofightsback.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/the-final-instalment-of-chemo/

   I guess that my advice would be to try and gauge what your reader’s mum feels like and to be prepared to be flexible and ready to respond. Don’t be disappointed if she doesn’t feel like celebrating right away, it’s a weird time. I found my system of chemo treats worked really well (planning and buying a treat after every chemo) as it gave me something to focus on and plan for and when I felt well enough I would go out and get it. So perhaps even planning an end of chemo treat could be a way of marking the end of chemo.

   How wonderful that she has such a thoughtful and considerate daughter, I wish them well.
   P
4. on March 15, 2011 at 11:44 am | ReplySighle

   I finished Chemo 2 weeks ago. My son and daughter in law arranged for a leasurely “day in town” for me. We went in and I had a make over in Brown Thomas, followed by a Manicure ( my nails were red, sore and weak from Chemo. Then, a late lunch, all with my 1 yr. grand child in the buggy! I’m still enjoying the beautiful coloured nails! It was a treat , but I was only disappointed that a night out ,all made up was out of the question, home to bed as soon as Chemo tiredness kicked in! Good luck with your treat for your mum, the real treat is knowing you plan it! S x
5. on March 15, 2011 at 3:24 pm | ReplyJBBC

   Philippa, I agree with you – one really doesn’t know how one will feel until the day arrives – just go with whatever the mom indicates she feels like doing and if that is nothing, then that is fine too.
6. on March 15, 2011 at 7:37 pm | ReplyPink Kitchen

   I couldn’t celebrate until two weeks later, because I was generally sick that long. But I do remember driving home from chemo and hearing “Here Comes the Sun” (Beatles) and thinking I was going to be ok now 
   In fact, ironically I heard it today.

   When I did celebrate, I had a huge pizza – which might sound lame, but it was a big deal for me because I gave up cheese after diagnosis.

   http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/how-did-you-mark-the-end-of-chemotherapy/