“I don’t give two sh—s about my breasts. I didn’t care that, at the Golden Globes, I wouldn’t be able to show cleavage. … They said, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? Think about the life you lead and the fabulous dresses and that’s part of your job. It could put your job in jeopardy.’ And I thought, if I ever have a job that is defined by my breasts and some gorgeous gown then I’m in the wrong business.”

—Giuliana Rancic, cover gal for the February issue of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue magazine, talks about her decision to have a double mastectomy.

First of all, Giuliana rocks. Let’s get that part out of the way.

Second of all, I was under the misguided impression that Giuliana was going to have elective cosmetic surgery right away. Apparently not? Way bold.

On becoming one tough little bird, thanks to the strength of friends and fans:

“I think because breast cancer touches so many people, when someone hears you have it, they just shower you with love. The one word I always saw in all the messages was strong. You’re so strong, stay strong, be strong—when you hear something enough, you start believing it.”

Wow. Keep doing as you do, Mrs. Rancic.

(I tried to give this post an optimistic title.)

Giuliana Rancic—who was diagnosed with breast cancer in mid-October—finally went through with it Tuesday evening. That’s right: she had a double mastectomy.

Rancic underwent a double lumpectomy in October, but the surgery wasn’t completely successful. Ugh, I can’t imagine the grief of making that kind of decision. (On the bright side, she apparently opted for reconstructive surgery, so maybe we’ll see her with an amped-up chest soon. Yay!)

Rancic has remained all smiles and was, according to husband Bill, “cracking jokes” soon after the surgery.

E! reports:

“G is doing really well,” Bill exclusively tells E! News. “Her surgery lasted about four hours and the doctors were very pleased with the result.”

Man. Giuliana is one tough cookie.

From People:

“For me, it was important to get the cancer out. That’s what I wanted to do, just get it out.  At the end, to be honest, all it came down to was just choosing to live, and not looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life,” Rancic said.

She said her husband’s support was crucial in reaching the decision. “Bill said to me, ‘I just need you around for the next 50 years, kid,’ ” she said. “He said, ‘I don’t care what you look like, I don’t care about the physical portion of this. I just need you around for the next 50 years. So, let’s just get you healthy.’ And that certainly helped me come to a decision. I couldn’t be more at peace with the decision. But it’s hard, and I still break down some nights … But I’m okay.”

Ugh, how awful. I mean, it’s great that this will, hopefully, take care of the issue altogether, but what an emotional slammer this must be. I mean, it’s not even that there’s going to be parts physically missing from her body – that’s probably disturbing enough – but the fact that this is the best option must really mean that the situation is worse than anyone had originally assessed. Good luck, girl, and I wish you the best.

OK. I’d just read that E! News host Giuliana Rancic is attempting in-vitro fertilization—for the third time, you guys!—and while I’m totally optimistic for Rancic and her husband, yawn. I mean, I love Joan Rivers on Fashion Police as much as the next girl does, but IVF treatment is not exactly what I call news. Zzz.

This is news, though: Giuliana Rancic has breast cancer. What’s more, those IVF treatments I’d just been yawning at probably saved Rancic’s life—the cancer was detected by Rancic’s fertility doctor, entirely the result of a precautionary mammogram.

Unfortunately, the Rancics have had to delay their attempts at starting a family. On the plus side, Giuliana’s doctor caught the cancer in its early stages. Rancic will briefly leave work at E! for treatment and recovery.

Rancic announced her illness (and excellent prognosis) on this morning’s episode of Today.

Godspeed, woman.

“I work in a really superficial industry. I mean, I am getting Google Alerts saying, ‘You look good with the weight gain.’ They don’t realize they’re being mean by saying you look good fatter. It’s enough to drive any girl a little crazy. But it’s okay. What can I say? There’s nothing I can do about it.”

- Giuliana Rancic explained yesterday on the Oscar red carpet why it’s difficult to be five pounds less skinny than she used to be.

I only hate on you because you’ve achieved the life I dream of. I think you know that. At least you can have a sense of humor about it — unlike some celebrities. (Cough — Verne Troyer — cough. I know it’s you sending the hate mail. Your email address changes, but your IP doesn’t, buddy.)

Oh, and on the Verne Troyer front, his ex Ranae Shrider is looking for an assistant. Bedroom videography experience optional.