In Michelle's Words

Two summers ago Michelle and I joined some friends for a kayaking trip down the Susquehanna River. About halfway thru the trip was a rope swing hanging over the river where a few teenagers were hanging out and having some fun. We figured this was a good place to stop and eat and maybe try out the rope swing ourselves.

Little Miss 5 Year Old Michelle really wanted to try out that rope swing and after I let her hang on it a few times but only swing out over the water and back to land I asked one of the teenagers to hang out in the water after he jumped off and I would allow her to “let go” if he would stay there and make sure she didn’t float away. He said “yes” so I handed my phone to a friend to record the moment and after making sure her life jacket was secured I gave her a big push on the rope and when she got to the right spot we all screamed “LET GO!” And let go she did.

I have it on tape. Her ponytail went straight up off her head and she splashed into the Susquehanna like a champ. The teenager made sure she got back to land safely and as she ran towards me she was saying “I did it. I can’t believe I did that!”

I did it. I can’t believe I did that.

I did it. I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe all I have been thru lately. All I have subjected my body too in the name of good health.

I have had both my breasts removed and dealt with a long and at times complicated post surgical recovery. I did it. I can’t believe I did that.

As soon as I was over the worst of that I started having chemo pumped into my body. For a total of six times, over the course of 18 weeks, I willingly allowed poison to be infused into my body. I did it. I can’t believe I did that.

Words cannot describe how I feel about closing this chapter of my treatment. I have a lot more to do before I am done, a lot. But chemo is over. Dare I say the “worst” of it is over?

It will take a long time for my body to heal, to get back to “normal”.

But,

I did it.

I can’t believe I did that.