Next Phase of Kara

It's almost 12am on a Wednesday night and I'm just getting into bed to go to sleep. The problem is, I feel like a little kid the night before the first day of school. I'm incredibly excited. Why you ask?

Well, as I get under the covers, I take a long, deep breath. I look around my room to see my walls empty, my clothes in boxes and all my jewelry and accessories stored away. I'm moving into New York City on Sunday...and with the man of my dreams. Actually, the man who helped me wipe away my nightmare and brought my dreams to reality.

As I look around my room, I see all of the thoughtful little gifts I've received over the last year: the breast cancer support teddy bear, the pink boxing gloves from Mrs. O'Hanlon that stood as the metaphor for getting through the fight, the little guardian angel pink I wore inside my coat on the way to chemo the angel figurine that stands for strength, the cards around my mirror, the countless books to conquer cancer!, and of course the "love you more" sign that hung straight across from my bed so everything I woke up after a long dreadful "chemo sleep," I would look up and see "love you more" and think of my mom and how much I'm loved.

Now as I'm writing, I have tears rolling slowly down my cheeks. I knew in my heart this day would come; the day that I have put all of this behind me. The day when I can honestly say I've moved on, I'm happy, I'm healthy, I'm in love and I'm loved more than I ever thought I could be - by not only the best man I know, but my best friends, my family and of course my hero: Mom.

I'm packed, I'm ready to go - to the next phase of Kara. It's time for bed and I need sleep. Can't wait for Sunday!

Celebration!

Buskers was the venue. Celebrating the end of my cancer journey was the occasion.

Friends from different lives attended:

Old friends from high school whom I don't see enough!

My second parents, Patty and Teels (who gave me some bottles of bubbly to celebrate!)

My big sisters: the Rutgers girls and Kim (and her soon to be hubby who I love!); Plus my big brothers: Love you Jax and Rocco!

And let's not forget my Garnier savior: Kristie!

Then about 30 to 40 minutes after we arrived, Nate the Great walks in with a bouquet of flowers, his two roommates (or should I call them OUR roommates) and two great friends! Those guys are probably the newest addition to my friend pool and they've had such a big role in getting me through all of this -- probably without even knowing it. I mean, imagine meeting your new boyfriend's friends for the first time -- with no hair! Yuk! But they always asked how I was doing, always were there keeping me smiling. I just love them.

Then, Uncle Carm pulled his usual antic: "Sorry Kar, Aunt Laura and I can't make it. Have a great time." Yeah right! They walked in around 10pm and partied and danced all night!

I can't forget to mention my college roommates...Megs, Colleen, and Allison (Katie couldn't make it but love her anyway!). These girls are not friends, they truly are sisters to me. Though they live about four hours away, they have emotionally, mentally and physically been there every single step of the way. From showing up at my mom's house after my surgeries and going home later that night, sending me cards and gifts in the mail, constantly calling to check on me, and keeping me flying high - they are truly the best.

Meaghan comes out with the most ridiculous nonsense and I just love it. Allison is hysterical and Colleen is always smiling. Thank GOD for York College!

And last but not least, my loving, giving, and well, excited family: Mommy, Dana, Steve, and Jabe. I cannot thank them all enough for everything! I actually don't even quite know how to begin. From making special dinners, going to every doctor appointment, keeping me balanced and unafraid to tackle the next step in the journey, shaving my head, making it fun to buy wigs and hats, watching Gossip Girl on chemo weekends and making jest, to crying together, laughing together and putting all of this behind us!

So last January (2009) when we held the first party at Buskers to say goodbye to the tatas (see first post on this blog) we thought this day was so far in the future...well, here it is! The post-celebration happened and my new boobies, new hair, new experiences and new life is just...well, fabulous!

Thank you all! xoxoxo

No more Chemo Day!

It's April 15. Most people think today is tax day, which it technically is; however, for me, today is the last day I will ever have a chemotherapy treatment in my life.

I'm headed over to Memorial Sloan Kettering at 4pm this afternoon to have my last Herceptin treatment. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's an extension of the harsh chemotherapy (without the side effects) that is targeted to my cancer cells due to my "Her2 positive" status (in layman's terms). And for those of you who didn't even know I was going through this treatment - that's because I'm feeling great, back at work and my hair is growing so fast, I'm beginning to look like a chia pet! I actually started this treatment exactly one year ago today, while I was undergoing Taxol, the second half of my harsh chemo treatments.

It's a very strange feeling to finish chemo completely. One, because it's so incredibly exciting you feel like you want to walk around the office telling everyone - or even wear a sign on your back that says: "I've beat cancer! I feel great!" I mean, it feels more important than getting a huge promotion, being given a tremedous raise, winning a pitch, graduating grad school or even winning the lottery. Chemo is OVER!! I want to yell from the Publicis rooftop!

The other feeling...is being a bit scared. What if they didn't get it all? Now that I don't have to go back and get this magical injection that cures cancer with no side effects, I try not to think that any left over cancer cells now have the chance to play around in my body and spread their cancer cheer. But the worry should be over -- according to my doctor, she assured me that due my Tamoxifen pill (that I take daily) along with regular checkups including tumor marker bloodwork, that the killing of cancer cells is not over -- and won't be for another 4 years!

So, as of 5:30pm EST this afternoon, April 15th will officially be known as the day Kara Skaflestad finished chemotherapy forever and will never have to go back for another dose of poison again!