It’s the last one. Coincidentally, it falls on the same day exactly one year ago that I had my first appointment at Dana-Farber.

I didn’t ring any bell.  I’ve heard about the bell later on. I wasn’t aware that was an option. I totally would’ve done it. It would be less of a symbolic gesture and more like fulfilling a childhood dream of banging a gong or hearing the Liberty Bell ring.

A year on, my Herceptin appointments have become part of my routine. Mary and Maggie, Josh’s aunts who feel like they’re my own aunts, accompany me during my infusion. I get to spend time with my chemo nurse Ann who clears out my port and makes getting an infusion as comfortable as possible. Despite the drive into Boston, the experience is not too bad.

Herceptin doesn’t have the same side effects of traditional chemo. Sure, you pee a lot afterwards, and it makes your pee smell weird. Not asparagus weird, more mediciney kinda weird. Also, there’s fatigue. But again, completely different than chemo and much more manageable.

I also felt a certain amount of comfort or security with Herceptin infusions. Herceptin meant that I was on a treatment with manageable side effects that was making sure cancer doesn’t make a comeback.

So, today was my last one. I’m hoping soon after it means my port is coming out too. Not sure what I’m going to do with all this free time. Just kidding, I got plenty of appointments to go.

I think this is one of many first steps to going back to life post-cancer.