I received the biopsy results for my mysterious butt bump. And now we have another reason to celebrate! It was negative for any cancer cells! The treatment remains the same and we can breathe a big sigh of relief. I have seven more radiation treatments so we’re in Houston for another week and a half.

When I used to think about places I wanted to visit before the diagnosis, Houston was definitely not on the list. I’m not even sure Texas was on the list. It’s not that I didn’t want to see it but I definitely wanted to go other places more. But now, I believe I’ve spent more time here in the last 6-7 months than I have in NY. The fact that I can navigate to places around here without GPS proves that I’ve been here a lot.

I wish I was here under better circumstances but I’m not letting it color my view of this city or my ability to enjoy it. The weather is beautiful (especially compared to the snow that has fallen at home) and, apart from my 30 minute radiation treatments, I have all the time I could ask for. My family is here with me, the sun is shining, and I’m feeling pretty good.

A lot of people (including my husband) have asked me how I can be so upbeat during all of this. Maybe I’m just taking my doctor’s words to heart. Maybe I just decided that my energy would be better spent on being happy than worrying so much. I can’t really explain how it happened but I’m going to keep my chin up and my heart full.

It ain’t over ’til it’s over and, now that I know how to turn these lemons into lemonade, I don’t plan on drinking anything else.

Life is beautiful and I intend to soak it all in, every single day.