Onwards and upwards!

[color=#800080:1uz6616v]Just to simply wish you the best for your future. [/color:1uz6616v]

Wish you the very best Kathleen you also have helped us, thank you.

Sunshine how did you get the flower under your name??

Sunshine and Wicklow Lady,

Thank you for your lovely messages. I'll miss you all, but I feel that the time has definitely come for me to move on.

All the best

Kath

You're probably right but it's sad to lose a great lady and I wish you so well and hope you don't have to revisit for the wrong reasons but if you ever feel like letting us know how good you are please do xxx

Hi Kathleen,

Congratulations on being one year out of chemo and I'm delighted that things are returning to normal for you.

I have a similar situation to yourself. I'm Irish and have been living in Germany for 10 years. This forum has certainly helped me during the past 9 months. It's so informative and you just can't beat the good old Irish humour and banter.

I was quite anxious before my last Taxol in January and you replied with some great words of encouragement. Your words really helped me during radiation. You wrote that you walked 5 km to the hospital for your last chemo. I never managed that during chemo but during radiation I walked one day a week to the hospital (also 5 km).

Many thanks for the support and inspiration you have given to me and the other ladies on this forum.

Onwards and upwards for you.

Roseo

Hi Kath - best of luck with everything its been great to chat with you - you are right sometimes its good to close a chapter and move on.

Best of everything xxx

Hi Roseo and Dee,

I was very touched by your replies. Thank you.

Roseo, well done on walking to the hospital once a week for rads. I did some of my radiotherapy journeys on foot too. I always felt much more like I was winning the fight when I'd get there under my own steam Nice to hear too that I am not the only one being treated abroad.

Dee, your courage and fighting spirit is an inspiration to us all. I wish I had had even a fraction of your courage last year when I started chemo. Your blog is amazing. I love the way you finish with all of the wonderful things happening to you. May there be many many wonderful events ahead for you Dee, and for you all on this site.

Yes, I need to move on, to 'graduate' if you like, but I promise that if I learn something that would be helpful, I will post it. For example, when I figure out a way to not get vicious leg cramps at night from Tamoxifen I'll certainly share.

Hugs

Kath

Thanks Kathleen we will miss you I wish you the very best of health and a good long life xxxx

Hi Kathleen,
Best of luck in the future you have a lovely way with words. Wishing you the best from now on.
Onwards and upwards!!
Bernie xx

Hi Wicklow Lady and Bernie,

Wicklow Lady, thank you for the regular doses of Wicklow sunshine It does us all a power of good.

Bernie, you have a lovely way with words too - thank you so much for saying 'thank God for high heels and makeup'. So right!

I'll leave you for now with a few quotations from Eleanor Roosevelt. (I promise I'm not calling anyone a 'bag' ...)

[color=#0040FF:2mskl5s7]A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.[/color:2mskl5s7]

More seriously:

[color=#4000FF:2mskl5s7]We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot[/color:2mskl5s7].

And finally:

[color=#BF00FF:2mskl5s7]It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness[/color:2mskl5s7]

Thank you all for lighting those candles and keeping them burning.

Hugs

Kath

Kathleen,
Im nearly in tears reading your last post.
Reading about your journey has really made me see the positive side of having this illness - and there are so many upsides.

I was laughing about you walking 5km to your chemo.
I lived in Holland for years and when we came home I brought with me my black High Nelly bike which the kids were so ashamed of they stashed it at the back of the shed. Ive had it fixed and sprruced up and have cycled to my chemo the last two times - you should see the cut of me with wig; wooly hat and helmet - but I don,t give a damn what I look like. Apart from needing the exercise, Im loath to give another €5 to whichever NAMA developer runs the car park in Vincents! Just hope the weather is a bit kinder for the daily journeys in and out to radiation!

Anyway Bon chance Kathleen -so glad you have reached the end of your journey but hope you will still dip in with your words of wisdom from time to time as we get through the next stages of ours.
Liz

Having been cancer free for 20 years (lumpectomy & rads 1992) I was diagnosed with cancer again in Feb 2012, had mastectomy followed by chemo then rads. Doing well now, slowly getting energy & hair back. I have been truly inspired and encouraged by visiting this site and reading all of your posts during the past year, It often felt like I was staying in touch with friends who completely understood what I was feeling and going through. I am filled with admiration with how all of you much younger women are coping with what life has thrown in your paths. Just felt that at last I should come in and say - THANK YOU!! and I wish every one of you all that is good for you and your loved ones in the years ahead. Carpe Diem (sieze the day)
Invicta

Hi Liz and Invicta,

Liz, I loved your Dutch bike story and your wonderful description of your stylish cycling attire. And cycling in for chemo! What can I say but that I am so impressed. Well done!

Invicta, so sorry to hear that you needed cancer treatment again. Thank you for your lovely message and good luck in your recovery.

Hugs

Kath