Forum Discussion

Keeping_positiv's avatar
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago

How to answer! Am I in remission?

I was asked today if I was remission, and being Stage 3 when diagnosed five years ago, and now had all the necessary treatment I wondered how to answer that. My yearly mammogram and Ultrasound was in January, and all clear, nothing going on that was detected.  So when I asked if I was in remission and when did I go into remission the questioned floored me so I just replied, oh yes been a couple of years now.  This was asked in front of others, and thankfully I just took it in my stride.  But really?  People ask this? 
  • Julez1958's avatar
    Julez1958
    Member
    4 years ago
    I mainly get asked “ is everything ok now” and I say “ yes”.
    Sometimes people say “ you are looking well” and I say “ yes I am feeling well”.
    Everyone close to me knows the details of my treatment which is finished apart from the Letrazole.
    Humans are naturally curious and usually mean well.
    Before I had cancer I didn’t know much about it and I think that is still true of many people.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    And yes, people do ask. Mainly they mean well, hoping that the answer is that the cancer is going or gone! But it can be a bit unnerving. 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    This gets asked a lot. My own understanding (may be wrong) is that when cancer is still detectable but is no longer developing and may be shrinking/reducing, it’s in remission. When cancer cannot be detected, it’s NED (no evidence of disease).