Last shot

For my last shot 48/48 I decided to pamper myself and went to a beach side resort. My cousin had taken me there at the beginning of my TX because I'm a Calif gal that now cannot go out in the sun. I love the great outdoors and the hermit lifestyle was getting me depressed. I have twin girls that are 13 and on spring break so I took them to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk first while I sat in the shade watching others have fun. After that we went to this beautiful resort with 3 pools for the kids and I was able to look out at the beach from my room. I met up with an old friend of mine for dinner and we went down to the beach at night. The resort provides golf type carts that take you to the beach and they have fire pits with chairs set up for you. Decadent I know but for one night at the end of a very long journey, worth it. See photo on my profile.
So I woke up on Friday last shot day and took a cool morning walk along the trail covered in wild flowers and deer's that are not afraid. We had a nice lunch did some window shopping and took it slow and easy. That evening I got together with 5 of my best girlfriends most of them I have known since high school over 30 years. It was the same group I went out dancing with at a lodge up in the redwoods for my first shot on my 48th birthday last May.
We toasted with fruit smoothies, cheese & crackers and of course chocolate. It was a great way to come full circle and celebrate the mile stone of a long and not so pleasant journey.
As I have mentioned in previous posts I have and still struggle with many side effects, rash, dry eyes/mouth sores
mood swings, brain fog, fatigue you name it. I see my doc tomorrow. I am 1a RVR, UND at 4 weeks with VL <400,000 so I am hopeful. Work has been a challenge and I recently dropped to 1/2 time. I know I am not done and I need to be patient. It is not over yet, it has changed and aged me, I hope the sides will diminish and I will get my mojo back. My goal is to be fit by 50 so that gives me a year to recover. I used to be in good shape and ran marathons, danced and was very active. This has been the longest marathon of my life and I could not have imagined doing it without this forum. There are so many supportive, positive and understanding people on here I want to thank you all. The docs, friends and family don't quite understand. Without all of you I would have thought I was a crazy hypochondriac whiner. Not saying I'm not but this forum gave me a thread of sanity and life line that I truly needed. I wish I could have been more positive and supportive of others. When and if my brain and soul come back I will let you know. Hang in there time does fly by when you are in a fog.
Wishing you all love and strength
Connie

[can-do-man]

Congrats on being done, you wrote........... I am 1a RVR, UND at 4 weeks with VL <400,000 so I am hopeful.

And you have every reason to be hopeful being a 1a with a RVR.

Glad you had a great time, all of us who have treated know you earned it........ Next will be SVR......... Wishing you the best

cando

[Rockerforlife]

Being a RVR on SOC  is a done deal....i think the odds are over 90%

[annieCinMD]

You will get your mojo back! Maybe not as quickly as you might like, but it will come. One of my best friends treated several years back (and cleared). She told me she started back in the gym about 3 months post Tx. I should say she eased back into the gym. I was talking to a guy who went through it about if my skin would ever come back from all this dryness. He said it will. He did say it took many months but it will happen. I'm so happy that you are done! Best to you, Anne

[fretboard]

Congratulations!!  I sent you a note as well, I knew you were near the end.  Here's to getting your mojo back.lol  good luck with your new life!!


fret

[portann]

Dear Connie,

Thank you so much for your story. I really enjoyed reading it and admire you for picking yourself up to travel to Santa Cruz and rekindle your friendships with the very people who were there at the beginning of your journey.

I will keep your story close to me today because tonight is my last shot.  I have a rather strange bag of feelings welling up inside me and just to prove it, I picked a needless quarrel with my husband this morning.

I fantasized many moons ago that last shot-day would be heaven. :)

Wishing you love and strength, too.

[charm27]

Congratulations and the very best to you on the completion of tx.
You have every reason to be hopeful! You are one of the lucky ones!

Wish you well and a speedy trip back to life again!  :}}}

Charm27

[Isobella]

Such a great post.  What a great way to do EOT.  I am going to start planning my own party now.

You have a super group doing their last shots...I believe portann called it an April litter....I was thinking it's like you all are the April showers.....by May, you will all be spring flowers =)

Thanks for reminding all of us still txing what we are working towards....I can almost touch it, it is sooooo close.  I will forever cherish Spring.

[jdwithhcv]

Its soooooo good to be finished.  I love your last-shot plan, sounds like a great little "its over" ritual.  Like you, I was a the beach on last shot day, surrounded by family who celebrated with me.  Fit by 50 is a good goal.  You'll be great, and soon you can post your SVR news and we can all cheer for you again!

jd

[orleans]

Very good, jerry

[FlGuy]

Nice style to re-enter the world with.  Good luck!

[Marcia2202]

YAY!!!! Last shot sounds great! I'm so happy for you that you made it and that you could have a follow up party with your friends!! Way to go! Hope you feel better real soon!

Hugs, Marcia

Btw, I finished 2 weeks ago and went from a Gothic itching vamp lying almost lifeless in bed to an a§§ kicking mean a§§ dragon slaying sista... lol... and I'm stark raving mad... off my AD's and am going to start training at the gym again... this week...

So there is life after tx...

Now we just hope we exterminated the dang dragon with it's dang smelly dragon breath, too.

[CMcH]

Thank you so much for all the good vibes and support. I worry about putting anything in print and posting with this brain fog. It was rather long winded with a dash of drama. Although I was dragging this was a definite mile stone in my life and one of the most trying  events. Up there with having twins.
Marcia you will be my mentor. My husband asked when I would drop the AD's after watching my emotional roller coaster the last 2 weeks. I thought I would wait and see how I felt after a month.
Anyone else have experience with this?
Thank you again everyone for all your understanding.
For those that are still treating hang in there time does fly by and this too shall pass.
I wish you all lots of love and strength,
Connie