And the good news keeps coming.

I know many of you have been wandering about by follow up appointment.  It was another day of  goods news amid the obvious "bad" situation. My surgeon informed me that the biopsy results show no cancer in my lymph node even though it is enlarged. In layman's terms I get to move forward with surgery on March 11. But here is the best news of all....once it is removed and they have an opportunity to check the entire node, if it is definitely negative for cancer I do not have to do the chemo and radiation! Yes I said it, NO chemo or radiation. As of right now he has classified it as Stage 1 cancer which has the highest statistical success. The surgery itself sounds pretty rough and I will be in the hospital for 5-8 days but I can honestly say I am thrilled, given the alternative. I do get an epidural for 3 days and those of you that have had them know I will be feeling no pain. :)
I did have another good thing happen. As some of you may know Katie Couric is an advocate for colon cancer (she lost her husband to it). Her show is doing a taping on colon cancer awareness on Thursday of next week. Tickets submissions had to include a paragraph on "why" you should participate and I am excited to say I received 3! I will be taking my best daughter ever, along with my dear friend Holly to New York next week to attend the taping. When someone from the show called to see if I would be attending I told her that unless I start treatment or have surgery I would be there.
I am absolutely convinced that this has to be some type of life lesson that I was meant to go thru. A month ago I would never have thought to just take a few days off to attend anything, now look at me.
I can't even begin to say how humbled I am by the support I have received from everyone. It is all of the positive energy and prayers that have made this so much easier for me to take. I once again find myself saying thank you for thinking of my family and I and know that we feel your support.