In September, Melissa Etheridge discovered a four-centimeter lump in her breast. She was rushed into surgery and has endured an intense course of chemotherapy and ongoing radiation treatment. At the Grammys on February 13th, Etheridge brought down the house with a show-stopping rendition of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart." Rolling Stone checked in with Etheridge three days later.

How's your health?

I was in bed for two months. But I'm in the clear now. I'm cancer-free.

Did you go into the Grammy performance wanting to make a statement, or were you just doing your thing?

I wanted to go in and do my thing. When I got nominated for "Breathe," I was like, "Oh, that's sweet." I didn't want to go to the Grammys, but they called and said, "Look, we're doing this tribute to Janis Joplin -- will you sing 'Piece of My Heart'?" It would have killed me if I lay in bed watching somebody else sing it. So I said yes.

Did you consider covering up?

I didn't feel like hiding my bald head. I go to radiation every day, and the nurses were like, "It would be such an inspiration." I'm a little overwhelmed by the reaction. I've gotten some great letters from cancer survivors and chemo patients.

You seemed totally confident.

I was having a blast. I've sung that song for twenty years. I hadn't been onstage in months -- I'd been in bed. So when I walked out and half the audience stood up, it was a real sweet audience hug.

What's next?

I'm going to write and record two or three songs for a greatest-hits package that will be out around October. I'm just going to take it easy.