In Remission?

I wonder, too
I have wondered the same thing, Susie. Sadly, I have gotten the impression that the word to be used is remission. That is why, I suppose, we are all still "racing for the cure." I could ask my onc., but do not want to. (See what a chicken I am?!)

tgf said:

I'm with Moopy
I'm also a chicken when it comes to asking my oncologist my "status." I did ask about the words "cured" and "remission" and he said I was in remission ... which makes sense because I guess they can NEVER say anyone with cancer is ever cured. But ... I'll settle for remission right now.

The question I am afraid to as is "what is my prognosis?" Since I'm 65 ... part of me wants to know if everything looks good ... but part of me is scared he'd say something like ... "well ... you've got maybe a year at most" ... then I think I would really lose it. Part of me wants to know so I can get going on the "bucket list" ... and then part of me is afraid of what he might tell me.

I'm sure I'm not alone in those feelings ... and I really don't know how I drifted off on to that depressing subject when we were really talking about something positive ... like remission. Guess it's just one of those times when my chemo brain is going in crazy directions.

hugs.
teena

I am so glad to hear that REMISSION is the new word and cure is not. I was bummed when I was told my cancer was in remission, so hearing that it is the word that's now used regarding our status is a good thing to me. Since I believe we all have cancer in our bodies, it is the ability of our bodies to keep it under control that is the issue for me. Anti-Cancer is a good book that talks about this.

I'm betting if you had only a year, your doctor would let you know whether you asked or not! Knowing your prognosis is only a statistic, anyway. YOU are not a number! Lynn

I wasn't told anything
I wasn't told anything (remission or not) and a friend asked if I was in remission. I'd not heard that word at the time so I went back at my next visit and asked what he'd call my condition and he said "in remission". I told this to another friend of mine and she was horrified that he wouldn't tell me something good like that without prompting.

My two cents
My doctor has told me that once one has had cancer one can never be considered "cured". He explained to me that cancer can be in the blood stream and undetectable which is why "remission" is the word to use rather than "cured". It was explained to me that the farther away from your original dx you get the better off your odds are that you will remain in remission and will not have a recurrence. I suppose that is why I view cancer as a chronic illness that I have to be on my toes to catch early so that it does not get the best of me.

I also agree that we should get out there and enjoy our lives with our loved ones, no one knows this better than those who have had to battle for their lives like we have had too.

Much Love to all,

RE

lynn1950 said:

I am so glad to hear that REMISSION is the new word and cure is not. I was bummed when I was told my cancer was in remission, so hearing that it is the word that's now used regarding our status is a good thing to me. Since I believe we all have cancer in our bodies, it is the ability of our bodies to keep it under control that is the issue for me. Anti-Cancer is a good book that talks about this.

I'm betting if you had only a year, your doctor would let you know whether you asked or not! Knowing your prognosis is only a statistic, anyway. YOU are not a number! Lynn

I feel better, too
Thanks, Susie, for asking this question, and all for responding. The words of wisdom are very timely for me, especially. I am grateful to be with you all in remission, and may we stay there for many decades to come.

survivorbc09 said:

Doctors can be so different.
Doctors can be so different. My oncologist said I was cured. My radiation oncologist said I was cancer free. I am going with what they said!

I guess now when people ask
I guess now when people ask my husband or I how I am doing, I can now say " I am in remission." But, I prefer cancer free too!

rjjj said:

what to say
i am always at a loss of what to say. People always ask and it does bug me sometimes...the other day a woman i didn't know asked me what my prognosis was. I find that rude. I usually just say "hopefully it's gone."

We all are in remission then
We all are in remission then I guess. I just never thought of that word associated with me before. Hmmmm

tgf said:

I'm with Moopy
I'm also a chicken when it comes to asking my oncologist my "status." I did ask about the words "cured" and "remission" and he said I was in remission ... which makes sense because I guess they can NEVER say anyone with cancer is ever cured. But ... I'll settle for remission right now.

The question I am afraid to as is "what is my prognosis?" Since I'm 65 ... part of me wants to know if everything looks good ... but part of me is scared he'd say something like ... "well ... you've got maybe a year at most" ... then I think I would really lose it. Part of me wants to know so I can get going on the "bucket list" ... and then part of me is afraid of what he might tell me.

I'm sure I'm not alone in those feelings ... and I really don't know how I drifted off on to that depressing subject when we were really talking about something positive ... like remission. Guess it's just one of those times when my chemo brain is going in crazy directions.

hugs.
teena

I was told that I would be in remission at the 5 yr mark (from date of surgery), providing no cancer is found.

I also asked for my prognosis. I realize that these are only numbers, but I felt I needed to know so I could establish a timeline to "get my affairs in order" if it became necessary. Since I have a young daughter, I felt this was the responsible thing to do. Typically, I don't think about it, unless a challenge enters into my life. I intend to beat my stats and be around for a very long time. I plan to hold grandbabies, even though my daughter tells me that she will not be ready for babies for a good while. I plan...well, to simply to be around and live life as fully as I can and try to not think about "what ifs."

When I am in remission, I will have a huge celebration party and you're all invited . When I graduate, if I graduate, with my Master's in English I will seek employment with colleges. When I retire, if I retire, I will pack my bags and head South. The "ifs" are not gloom and doom, they are reality and I have learned to deal with them (well, on most days).

Teena, my dreams-your dreams-all of our dreams, are positive thoughts (but, now they are sprinkled with a little reality dust rather than just fairy dust). Hang in there.
dmc

lynn1950 said:

Pammy
You are so smart! Lynn

Remission, I thought meant you still had cancer, but, I guess not. It just means that you still might?