Four weeks after what women’s basketball coach Kay Yow considered the “biggest” of her chemotherapy treatments, she learned over holiday break that the number of her tumor cells had “dropped greatly,” according to a statement from Yow and N.C. State media relations.

In the statement, Yow said she considered the improvement a miracle. However, on Jan. 15, she will undergo more blood tests to see if she is “holding the course of the number of tumor cells.”

“These tests will be very important in determining when I might be able to return to the court,” Yow said in the statement. “It is a possibility.”

Since beginning chemotherapy, Yow hasn’t disappeared from her team, though. Interim coach Stephanie Glance said Yow has been to practice “a couple of times,” and Glance said every chance the team gets to see Yow, the players are excited.

Yow attended practice as recently as Monday, something senior forward Keisha Brown said was helpful for the team.

“It’s very relieving,” Brown said. “It’s nice she can come in and that we can see her come in.”

But she doesn’t come back just to greet the team. Junior forward Khadijah Whittington, while holding back a big smile, described how Yow came back and even got in a few tips about the Boston College game, which takes place Thursday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Whittington said it helps pick the team up when Yow is around.

“It’s motivating just seeing Coach Yow,” Whittington said. “When she speaks to us, it’s really encouraging. She always has positive things to say about her coming back — it just motivates the team.”

According to Glance and Yow, her return could take place sometime this season. Aside from having her around the team, Glance said it would be a good situation because her return means much more than coaching.

“They would love it if she returned, and so would the staff. This is her team. This is her program — she is N.C. State women’s basketball,” Glance said. “Not just that, if she’s able to return, that’s a really positive sign in the battle against cancer.”

And with plenty of time remaining in the season, Whittington said with all Yow has been through in her life, she expects Yow to make it back.

“The way I feel is that if she comes back, it’s great,” Whittington said. “I really believe in my heart that she will come back this year. It’s about praying and believing she will.”

If everything goes as planned for Yow, Whittington will get her wish.

“But as far as returning to practice and to games, I will have a very good shot to do that if those tests confirm everything,” Yow said in the statement. “It won’t mean that the cancer has gone, but it means that it has moved to a position that we have gotten under control.”