Lucky Seven Words of the Day (and a few more)

"Tumors shrank!

NO cancer gene!

Praise God!"

What this DOESN'T mean:  Unfortunately, I am not cancer-free....YET!  That celebration will take place next year after surgery and radiation.  I mean, I can only handle so much good news at a time!

What this DOES mean:  This regime of chemo IS working!!  In fact, all three of my tumors shrank!  (The tumor under my arm shrank an entire centimeter!) 

This also means I do not have the breast cancer genetic mutation.  My oncologists were concerned that I did given my age and the aggressiveness of my cancer.  Women with the genetic mutation have up to an 85% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.  But since I already have that, that's not the scary part.  Women with the mutation also have up to a 40% chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime.  Therefore, if I had the gene, the oncologists would have recommended removing my ovaries...and since I'll already have had enough surgeries by the age of 35, I am ecstatic to take a pass on that one!!

I know Dan and I would have been able to handle whatever news we received yesterday.  And we would have kept on fighting and fighting until we figured out something that worked.  BUT, can I just say...it is sooo much better seeing Dan tear up over great news rather than bad news!!

Although I am personally extremely relieved over this fantastic news, I am more relieved for my family and friends.  After months and months of horrible news, I am so grateful to be able to deliver some great news to my support team!  You guys all deserve it!

Now, since it's 5:00 somewhere, I'm off to happy hour!  Cheers!