Just curious... what does everyone use as their 'anniversary date'?
Comments
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good question
out of 3 remarkable dates, I celebrate only one, the date when all of my tumors were surgically removed with clear margins. Since that day, June 30, 2008 I have been considering myself free of cancer. This is my anniversary - Cancer free.
The other two remarkable dates such as :the date when I discovered the lump, while taking a shower and the date when Mammogram and ultrasounds results came back and radiologist talked to me and suggested take my health issues very seriously I consider as dates of mourning .
it is very personal and individual as everything what is associated with breast cancer.0 -
I agree with New Flower.New Flower said:good question
out of 3 remarkable dates, I celebrate only one, the date when all of my tumors were surgically removed with clear margins. Since that day, June 30, 2008 I have been considering myself free of cancer. This is my anniversary - Cancer free.
The other two remarkable dates such as :the date when I discovered the lump, while taking a shower and the date when Mammogram and ultrasounds results came back and radiologist talked to me and suggested take my health issues very seriously I consider as dates of mourning .
it is very personal and individual as everything what is associated with breast cancer.
I agree with New Flower. My tumor was removed on March 30th 2009. That will forever be my anniversary.
Roseann0 -
I feel it is also when tumor was removed so my 1 year anniversary will be on my 46th birthday, Feb. 2nd.roseann4 said:I agree with New Flower.
I agree with New Flower. My tumor was removed on March 30th 2009. That will forever be my anniversary.
Roseann
Margo0 -
Marlene,
I use the day I was diagnosed which was also the date it was taken out(lumpectomy). My husband thought at one time that I should use the day I was finished with treatments,but I was a fighter before that!0 -
I think you can really use
I think you can really use what you want. I use the date I found it and went to see the PCP. He thought it was cancer and made an appointment that afternoon for a mammogram. So I use that date.
My oncologist said you use the diagnosis date because people don't have the same treatment. Some don't get chemo or radiation. Some may not get surgery. That is how he explained it to me.0 -
The dateMarcia527 said:I think you can really use
I think you can really use what you want. I use the date I found it and went to see the PCP. He thought it was cancer and made an appointment that afternoon for a mammogram. So I use that date.
My oncologist said you use the diagnosis date because people don't have the same treatment. Some don't get chemo or radiation. Some may not get surgery. That is how he explained it to me.
I use the one year after I got the diagnosis, actually got told, "You have bc" on the phone from my doctor. If I can get past that first one year, then I have accomplished at least that, one year survival!
Lex♥0 -
Great post, MarleneAlexis F said:The date
I use the one year after I got the diagnosis, actually got told, "You have bc" on the phone from my doctor. If I can get past that first one year, then I have accomplished at least that, one year survival!
Lex♥
It's so interesting to read everyone's thoughts on this. Of course, there is no right answer, just what feels right to each of us.
Like many of you have said, my girlfriend just assumed that the date of my surgery would be my "anniversary" date -- for her, that was the date they took the cancer out of my body. But, for me, surgery felt like just the first step in a long journey of surgery, then chemo, then radiation. After surgery, I never felt like oh good, the cancer's gone now -- more like, okay, the tumors are gone, now I have to have chemo and radiation to get rid of the rest of it. I didn't understand my girlfriend's opinion at all until I read these responses here.
So I feel like Lex does -- the day my doctor called and said, "Traci, it's cancer," May 4, 2009, is the day my life changed.
Traci0 -
TraciTraciInLA said:Great post, Marlene
It's so interesting to read everyone's thoughts on this. Of course, there is no right answer, just what feels right to each of us.
Like many of you have said, my girlfriend just assumed that the date of my surgery would be my "anniversary" date -- for her, that was the date they took the cancer out of my body. But, for me, surgery felt like just the first step in a long journey of surgery, then chemo, then radiation. After surgery, I never felt like oh good, the cancer's gone now -- more like, okay, the tumors are gone, now I have to have chemo and radiation to get rid of the rest of it. I didn't understand my girlfriend's opinion at all until I read these responses here.
So I feel like Lex does -- the day my doctor called and said, "Traci, it's cancer," May 4, 2009, is the day my life changed.
Traci
My dx was almost the same as yours May 8 2009. But I am going to use July 29, 2009 day of surgery when I became cancer free as my anniversary.. May 8th was a really hard day for me...0 -
My memory erased the date when i got a callCalleen said:Traci
My dx was almost the same as yours May 8 2009. But I am going to use July 29, 2009 day of surgery when I became cancer free as my anniversary.. May 8th was a really hard day for me...
from my breast surgeon confirming that biopsy results have shown cancer. I know that it was before Memorial day, exact date, I am not sure.0 -
WellNew Flower said:My memory erased the date when i got a call
from my breast surgeon confirming that biopsy results have shown cancer. I know that it was before Memorial day, exact date, I am not sure.
I suppose I will use the date that I was told that I had bc. But, I am not for sure that I will call it my cancerversary. I am not for sure if I would want any kind of celebration. This has me puzzled.... I guess I will just reflect back on it being one of the worse days of my life, if not the worst.
Sue0 -
I don't know if this will help....but....Ritzy said:Well
I suppose I will use the date that I was told that I had bc. But, I am not for sure that I will call it my cancerversary. I am not for sure if I would want any kind of celebration. This has me puzzled.... I guess I will just reflect back on it being one of the worse days of my life, if not the worst.
Sue
My onc said to me that the day that cancer left my body, whether thru surgery or treatment, is the anniversary of my 'cancer free' existence. But, my first anniversary, the day that is the one I celebrate, is the day I heard those 3 words...because that was the day the clock started ticking (originally, I was given 6 months to live, and a 37% survival rate to 5 years...).
Hugs, Kathi0 -
I use my date of diagnosis
I use my date of diagnosis as my anniversary( June 1, 2009). I don't care for the term cancerversary. I chose to say Survivorship Anniversary. That's my take on the matter.
BL0 -
anniversary date
I use the date of my diagnosis which for me was the day I had a coworker (an MD) call and ask for the results of my biopsy from the pathologist in the lab.My results were delayed and I could stand it no longer so we went directly to the pathologist for the info. I called my internist, surgeon and gyn with the diagnosis (I faxed them copies later that afternoon).I made the appointment for the surgeon the following day.It truly was the beginning of my cancer treatment journey.
K0 -
Uh Oh...this post originatedKayNYC said:anniversary date
I use the date of my diagnosis which for me was the day I had a coworker (an MD) call and ask for the results of my biopsy from the pathologist in the lab.My results were delayed and I could stand it no longer so we went directly to the pathologist for the info. I called my internist, surgeon and gyn with the diagnosis (I faxed them copies later that afternoon).I made the appointment for the surgeon the following day.It truly was the beginning of my cancer treatment journey.
K
Uh Oh...this post originated in 2009~ I thought it sounded familiar!0 -
I have mixed feelings on
I have mixed feelings on this.... I want to say that it is the day when you know it is out of my body....February 18th but then I think maybe the day that I was told it was cancer on the 24th of February but then I think I will feel better to hear after a year that I am dancing with NED so I haven't really decided yet!0 -
12 months later we are still herechenheart said:Uh Oh...this post originated
Uh Oh...this post originated in 2009~ I thought it sounded familiar!
I do not agree with Claudia. While this post was originated in 2009 the topic is still valid and 12 moths later all of participants have been doing relatively well.0 -
I JUST remember the year! 2008
PRior to being called back to have another mammo (following day) I had been called back year prior. Thought no biggie-told them that-they said NO there is an issue. (just routine mammo) I went back then they said BIOPSY-I said NO biggie-then they said surgery...mmmm NOW my postitive thoughts changed.
So more then anything I remember the date of MY last/ final radiation June 28 2008!0
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