“The Best and Very Highest Chance of a Complete Cure”

These are the words we heard from Bobbie Head yesterday, after she told us that my tumor was completely gone.  This is the best possible news we could receive.

We learned this week that I had what is called a “complete pathologic response” to chemotherapy—meaning there is no sign of cancer in the nodes Dr. Kelley took out on Monday, and my tumor is completely gone. About 30-40% of people have a complete pathologic response to chemo given before surgery, and these people have, as Dr. Head said, (and I like to keep telling myself), the best and very highest chance of a complete cure.

We have decided that I will do radiation—as my doctors have said, this is like an insurance policy against the cancer returning. Since radiation will not start for awhile, for now I am at home-spending lots of time with Chris, who has taken time off of work to take care of me, reading, resting and really enjoying the idea of not returning to chemo.

Yesterday was Chris’ birthday. So much was celebrated with this chocolate cake!