The End - #33 of 33

The custom cookies I ordered for today!

Me and my doctor

Me with the funny graduation hat they made me

My husband me and my son

All my punch cards are done!

My tiny emotional support mouse friends 

The picture I made of my doctor as a superhero

Tuesday, September 9 – 33 of 33

I Rang the Bell

It’s done. I finished my 33rd and final radiation treatment today.

I can’t even describe how surreal it feels. I walked in with a heart full of nerves and excitement - but nothing could have prepared me for how the day unfolded.

My husband came. My son came. One of the sweet friends I made in the waiting room came. Even my nurse navigator showed up. I was so surprised. So touched. It felt like a secret celebration was happening around me, and I was the guest of honor.

Throughout treatment, my sister came with me once. My mom came once. And my best friend came once. Each visit meant the world to me. It was so meaningful to share this journey with the people I love. Having them there turned a scary medical experience into something personal and connected - like I wasn’t doing this alone.

I had brought thank-you notes and custom cookies to share with the staff, the techs, and the people who made these past weeks bearable - even beautiful. I handed out the little gifts I had prepared, and it felt so good to be able to say thank you with something thoughtful. I even gave my doctor a special gift: a portrait I had made of her, styled as a superhero. Because that’s exactly what she is.

I was floating all day. Giddy. So relieved. I could hardly focus during the final treatment. Even talking to the doctor afterward, my brain was all over the place. But she checked my skin and was genuinely amazed at how fast I’m healing. She said it almost doesn’t seem possible - but it is. That was the best news I could have asked for.

And then… I rang the bell.

The same bell I passed every single day. I would glance at it, sometimes longingly, sometimes cautiously. And now - it was mine to ring. The nurses gathered around. Everyone clapped and cheered. And I just… rang it. Laughing. Smiling. Nearly in tears.

It felt unreal. Magical. Wild.

I was so glad I had prepared everything ahead of time. That I had time to make today not just about finishing, but about gratitude. It was a celebration in every sense of the word.

When it was all done, my husband took me out to eat at a unique and lovely restaurant. It was exactly what I needed. A quiet exhale after so many weeks of holding it together.

And one more thing - I brought all my tiny mice with me today. I lined them up and took a group photo. Because of course I did.

Today was perfect. I feel elated. Changed. Lighter. Like a brand-new version of myself.

I rang the bell - and I’ll never forget how that felt.