Today is a big day.  A giant step forward.  NO MORE CHEMO (or CHEMO LITE)!!!  She is done with the infusions.

I remember the beginning of this journey. It seems so long ago now.  I was scared and worried. How was she going to do this?  What could I do to help?  Why Kelly, why not me?  How would the boys handle it, what about her job?  So many questions.

But I never questioned whether she could do it.  I never doubted it.  I am sure Kelly's friends and family don't doubt her toughness either.   

Kelly is tough.  She completed all of the infusions.  A port surgery, a gallbladder surgery (I still chuckle that the NP thought Kelly was just nervous and that the vomiting was anticipatory).  Snow so bad I didn't know if we could make it to one treatment, and Kelly called the cancer center to say "someone better be there, we are coming in".  So much nausea. Side effects and surgeries, sleepless nights. 

We all did what we could for her, but Kelly suffered through each step of this journey.  And despite the smiles, and assurances, it wasn't easy on her.

It was a rough Christmas (last year), Kelly went with us to my parent's house for Christmas eve, and I will remember that night forever.  Christmas eve was tough on Kelly, and we all noticed the strain.  The next day she made sure the kids and I had a good Christmas before she went to bed for the day.  As the older sister, Kelly rushed to Nashville when her brother got cancer.  As a grieving daughter she has worked to help her mom and her family.  We missed travelling to Naples this year for Christmas (thanks Southwest Airlines), and it really hurt.  Kelly found the good in the situation and joked that we would have just gotten stuck there anyway and she was right (our return flight was cancelled) and she would have missed her last infusion.  We are still waiting for our bags, 6 days later, and this was just one more challenge in 2022.

Kelly could have used cancer as an excuse so many times (and it would have been perfectly fine) but Kelly never did.  She won't let cancer define who she is.

Congratulations Kelly.  This is one giant step forward.  I knew you could do it, but it was tough to watch.  The journey isn't over, but I hope you can turn around and see how far you have come.  It is a big deal, it is impressive.  You are so strong.

Thank you everyone for your kindness, thoughts, and prayers.  Happy New Year!!