This was taken before the surgery to insert my chemo port and remove lymph nodes for testing.  I am very fortunate in that the cancer did not reach any of the nodes!

My faithful longtime protective bear friend, Napoleon, along with my mother’s breast cancer pin which she gave me for luck – they accompanied me to surgeries and chemo.

Chemo day, in a cold cap, holding a cupcake.  My friends did everything possible to try to make these experiences as pleasant as possible – hence the cupcake.

The cake says it all!

Taken just before my lumpectomy and chemo port removal.  That was a happy day!

Resting comfortably at home after my lumpectomy.

My sweet friends helped me celebrate every milestone on this journey – and this was an especially delicious celebration!

Happy Lumpectomy to me!

Starting radiation!

This is the radiation table.  You lie on it and the back part moves around you.

My sweet friend Lindsey made me a Freedom from Radiation cake!

A really wonderful dinner with dear friends to celebrate the end of radiation.

I really bonded with my radiation team, and on “radiation graduation day,” they threw me a little party, complete with tiara!  It was so fun and made me feel special!

On radiation graduation day, there is a tradition of “ringing out.”  I liked the feeling of closure that came with that.

Poem with the bell – I loved this!

A little while after my treatment ended, I had a lovely party with all my friends to celebrate moving forward.

One of many happy photos taken at my Freedom From Cancer party.