Forum Discussion

primek's avatar
primek
Member
9 years ago

Remission?

I was at the pool today...trying to get some strenght back...doing my lsps of walking and arm exercises and tiny biuts of swimming. I have done this since 3 weeks post mastectomy and partial  reconstruction and almost to end of chemo.(I used to swim pre cancer) So the regular  guards and staff at the pool have seen me with my fabric hat when bald and now with slight Hair regrowth. Today one of tbe lovely ladses asks ne if I am in remission. I just looked for a minute. Ummm..am I. I don't  know. The surgery hopefully removed tbe cancer. The chemo hopefully sought out and killed any strays and the onging Herceptin is hopefully preventing any future changes. ..as will the aramotase inhibitors. But remission? At what stage do you really think you are...or think you are cancer free? 2 year...5 years....10 years? Do you ever feel you are?  In the end my answer was I hopefully am.
Funny thing to ask someone eh?
Kath
culture
recurrence
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Kath,
    It is interesting isnt it?? Well in 5 yrs Ive had it twice, but both times I said I HAD Breast Cancer, it was GONE when the tissue was removed...treatment thereafter. I never ever use the word 'Remission' LOL call me odd...and its a little play on words...but to me when you say remission you give it permission. So I have had that question a few times and honestly I just laugh after my horrendous journey haha!!! Nope...NO remission...all gone. :smile:

    Of course everyone has different ideas, depending on their situation and diagnosis, some people might have tumors whilst undergoing treatment. For me I guess, I have never looked at it as battling it either, as after surgery it is gone and so no trace and treatment is purely preventative thereafter. 

    :) Hugs Melinda
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Yea I think that seems right. Meanwhile we nailbite and just hope we are.
  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    9 years ago
    My cancer was HER2 positive and I asked my oncologist about this. She says for HER2 positive patients they don't like to say you are in remission until you have been clear of cancer for 5 yrs after your diagnosis.
  • InkPetal's avatar
    InkPetal
    Member
    9 years ago
    It's weird isn't it? In an appointment after surgery I was told I was "technically in remission" and hadn't even started on chemo. Because I don't know if anything is left and I'm still taking preventative measures the question "Do you have cancer?" gets an "I am fighting cancer" response rather than a yes or no. Not sure if I'll ever feel cancer-free even with an official All Clear, you know? Always that tiny note of recurrence fear in the mix.


  • ChrissK's avatar
    ChrissK
    Member
    9 years ago
    Kath great question.   When people ask me how I am or has the cancer gone I really don't know what to say.  Sometimes I say "I HAVE cancer" and other times " I HAD cancer".... it's funny isn't we do all that is expected of us re treatment and all and don't know whether in the clear or not!!!!