when does the "survivor clock" start?

Hi, Lemont!
Actually, I think you can choose your own start of the "survivor clock" for your anniversary celebration. OK, with that being said, and in my experience...

Most commonly, the majority of cancer patients mark the day of original diagnosis. Because from the very moment following the delivery of that knowledge, we continue to survive despite the cancer. I also believe that most oncology medical professionals share this point of view.

For my own personal milestone, sorta mentally and emotionally, I count forward from the day I completed all "invasive" treatment (surgery, chemo, rads). Because I felt like I devoted almost a year of my life to cancer treatment - and, my "real" life had been suspended in time. I've met a few who share this view; but, not many. I do also mark my day of diagnosis. So, I guess I'm greedy! I passed my own 5 year anniversary for completion of all "invasive treatment" a couple of months ago - and, that's what prompted me to join this amazing group. Later this year, I'll mark my 6 year anniversary of diagnosis.

I met a BC survivor who explained that she started her "clock" forward from the day of her surgery - because it was her first step to fight back the disease.

I'm glad you're looking forward to a party - whatever date you choose! Best wishes to you.

Kind regards, Susan

Not a 6 year survivor but.....
I'm not a 6 year survivor but.......I think there are several anniversaries that many recognize. I would imagine that the time of diagnosis and time of surgeries are anniversaries but as far as 'survivor' anniversaries I think that completion of chemo is definitely an anniversary to remember - and thank God it is over with!!! Of course the end of radiation is also important.

Now, as far as the doctors are concerned, (my oncologist anyway) they consider the yearly anniversary to be the date of the final treatment. I had chemo followed by radiation, which ended on July 22, 2008 so my one year anniversary according to my doctor is July 22, 2009. That will be my party day since I intend to continue to be cancer free on that date. I don't really know what your doctor will consider as your last treatment. December 1? I would ask him/her what they consider to be your survival anniversary dates. Or......just celebrate them all!!

God bless,
Rita

DrSusanHardwicke said:

6 yr survivor here
Hello, again, lemont!

I asked my oncologist the same question. He counts from the date of primary treatment (surgery). The date of the diagnosis is arbitrary, and chemotherapy and radiation are generally not the life-saving treatment.

The time goes very slowly while you are in chemo and radiation and then seems to speed up
when reaching your new normal.

There is one advantage to the chemo brain many of us experience: I have only some episodic memories of the last months of chemo and radiation, and at least several months afterward.

Warmest wishes

Survivor
Good morning all,

Everyone has a different take on when you become a survivor...
I was on the phone one day with a person from the American Cancer Soc. and asked her-
Her answer was the day you are diagnosed.
My doctor said I was a survivor...

My take is when I had the surgery and the surgeon told me he got everything out--and again when I finished all my treatments....

As for chemo brain--at least before I had an excuse for forgetting and doing strange things-what's my excuse now?

Angie

my take on survivors
Aren't we all survivors from the day we are born? We hit a few bumps in the road along the way, bc being more like a mountain, but I consider us all Super Survivors, and we have many markers on which to notate those bumps. Diagnosis, surgery consult (scary), surgery, recovery, chemo, radiation, completion, starting on post chemo drugs, finding this site, making new friends, finding yourself (and liking her), I can go on forever.
Rock on all you Life Survivors! Warriors in Pink! Kindred Spirits!(thank you Claudia) Sisters(and brothers)!

=^..^=

Survivorship
I agree with many here, we are surviving from the moment we realize we have cancer and we embark on the mission to stamp it out. All the visits to new doctors, MRI's, bone scans, Pet scans, surgery, chemo and rads are all things we do while we are battling this nasty little monster. You are a survivor as well.

I mayself celebrate the anniversaries from the date of last treatment to the current date, but that is just me. I wish you well and many many healthy years to come!



RE

Piggies said:

I was wondering the same thing!
I just asked that question the other day. When do I count the anniversary? I was diagnosed on July 7, 2008, Stage 1. Had a lumpectomy on July 16, 2008. I got the results of my Oncotype DX test on August 18,2008 (low recurrence score). Needed no chemo, only had six weeks radiation which ended in October 2008. I was told that I should count my one year anniversary on July 16, 2009 (the one year anniversary of my lumpectomy.) I guess it doesn't really matter whether I count it from the day of diagnosis or surgery. I'm a survivor nonetheless.

Yes, Piggies...
We ARE survivors here. You can pick whatever date you want, or celebrate them all.

I bet that, like you, the vast majority of us have ALL of those significant dates - as you posted - emblazoned within our memories. Like tattoos on the brain. Know them without having to look back at a calendar.

Kind regards, Susan