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cancer free question

Cinkal
Cinkal CSN Member Posts: 161
in Breast Cancer #1
I am just curious on what date do you consider from year to year on being cancer free. Do you count it from the time you had surgery or finished treatments or when you went for your first follow up and they said no evidence of disease?
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Comments

  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna CSN Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #2
    I use the date I was
    I use the date I was diagnosed as my survivorship day. I don't like the term cancerversary. That is just me. Everyone has their own opinions on the matter.

    Take care, God bless.
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  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith CSN Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #3
    I've wondered about this
    I've wondered about this also.I've pondered and pondered. Some say the day they found out but at times I feel the day the tumor was found.Reason being it took awhile before my biopsy and dx.Longer than most.

    This is the way mine went:

    Tumor was found July 2,2009(my son's 40th Birthday)

    Finally on Aug 18th the biopsy was done.On Aug 19th I was called in to see the doctor.I got the news I had breast cancer.

    1st surgery was scheduled for Sept 2,2009. Exactly 2 months after tumor was found. A couple weeks later I went in for a follow up after surgery.All was fine BUT the surgeon wanted to do another surgery to check margins.My first thought "why wasnt all of it taken the first time". but I agree of course.Go for it.Whatever my doctor felt comfortable with.

    2nd Surgery was scheduled for Sept 29th 2009.Got the good news a couple weeks later..All margins were clear and I have DCIS no chemo or radiation,tumor was 1/2 centimeter.Just taking tamoxifin for 5 years.

    Also during these 2 surgeries 2 more tumors were found.Just as they were preparing me for the 1st surgery they found a tumor.Later found to be benign.Then the margin surgery I found a tumor 2 days before that scheduled surgery.It was later found to be benign.

    I guess I say my dx was Aug 19th,2009.When I was told "I had cancer".As you can see it was a whirlwind.

    On my 2nd year that tumor was found(July 18,2011)another tumor was found.On Aug 9th,2011 it was biopsied and on Aug 11th I found out it was benign. I still have it and its being watched.It is a fibroid.

    As you can see I got off schedule.I told my doctors I wanted my mammos in July/January.July being the month the cancerous tumor was found.

    Lynn Smith
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  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith CSN Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #4
    Lynn Smith said:

    I've wondered about this
    I've wondered about this also.I've pondered and pondered. Some say the day they found out but at times I feel the day the tumor was found.Reason being it took awhile before my biopsy and dx.Longer than most.

    This is the way mine went:

    Tumor was found July 2,2009(my son's 40th Birthday)

    Finally on Aug 18th the biopsy was done.On Aug 19th I was called in to see the doctor.I got the news I had breast cancer.

    1st surgery was scheduled for Sept 2,2009. Exactly 2 months after tumor was found. A couple weeks later I went in for a follow up after surgery.All was fine BUT the surgeon wanted to do another surgery to check margins.My first thought "why wasnt all of it taken the first time". but I agree of course.Go for it.Whatever my doctor felt comfortable with.

    2nd Surgery was scheduled for Sept 29th 2009.Got the good news a couple weeks later..All margins were clear and I have DCIS no chemo or radiation,tumor was 1/2 centimeter.Just taking tamoxifin for 5 years.

    Also during these 2 surgeries 2 more tumors were found.Just as they were preparing me for the 1st surgery they found a tumor.Later found to be benign.Then the margin surgery I found a tumor 2 days before that scheduled surgery.It was later found to be benign.

    I guess I say my dx was Aug 19th,2009.When I was told "I had cancer".As you can see it was a whirlwind.

    On my 2nd year that tumor was found(July 18,2011)another tumor was found.On Aug 9th,2011 it was biopsied and on Aug 11th I found out it was benign. I still have it and its being watched.It is a fibroid.

    As you can see I got off schedule.I told my doctors I wanted my mammos in July/January.July being the month the cancerous tumor was found.

    Lynn Smith

    Bella
    I like that.Survivorship Anniversary.

    Lynn Smith
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  • Margeaux
    Margeaux CSN Member Posts: 84
    #5
    counting..
    Finally got my oncologist to answer the question - when does he start THE COUNT. He told me at the end of active treatment, i.e. in my case that would be from the last Herceptin infusion, Nov. 2010. I had started my count from the end of Radiation in Aug. 2010, I like mine more.
    Margeaux
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  • tufi000
    tufi000 CSN Member Posts: 745 Member
    #6
    I don't count
    Just glad to get through another birthday or holiday. I use the year if asked but don't consciously keep track but will remember a date if I have to for something. I do try to not be a patient in any way I can.
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  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 CSN Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    good question...I have
    good question...I have wondered what everyone goes by..

    Jan 4 yrs since I was diagnosed

    APRIL 4 -4yrs since surgery

    June 28 -4 yrs since finised radation

    Sept will be 4 yrs of taking tamoxifen

    Denise..

    but these dates mean nothing to avg person...right?
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  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid CSN Member Posts: 459 Member
    #8
    I never say I am cancer free
    I never say I am cancer free because actually we all have a cancer cell or two floating around in our bodies. I prefer the term my Onc used which is I have "no evidence of disease". I use the date of my surgery.
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  • Rague
    Rague CSN Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
    I'm NED - not 'cancer free'!
    Once DX'd with cancer, we are never 'cancer free' again. NED (No Evidence of Disease) yes but not 'cancer free'. I usually say I was DX"d on 'date' or had surgery on 'date' if there is any reason to say anything.

    I to do not like the term 'cancerverrsary'.
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  • Frankie Shannon
    Frankie Shannon CSN Member Posts: 457
    #10
    I count the date of my
    I count the date of my surgery,July 9 2010 when the the surgeon said he got all the cancer and my lymph nodes where neg.for cancer.
    Hugs Frankie
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  • KathiM
    KathiM CSN Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #11
    I, like others....
    ...count the last day of active treatment. For me, well, technically I have 2 dates: one for the rectal and one for the breast...

    But for both, I became NED on July 4, 2006...last rad for the breast cancer...

    I use 'cancer free' or 'finished with treatment' when talking outside of the cancer community, because most people 'out there' don't understand 'NED'...makes no difference to me...

    Knuffels, Kathi
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  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez CSN Member Posts: 332
    #12
    I count today, 3/29/10, as
    I count today, 3/29/10, as my anniversary because that's the day this whole trip started. My surgery date is May, and my rad date is July 2. I guess the first time I heard NED was in August before I started Tamoxifen. So, there is a five-month span between these dates. Heck, celebrate them all! You certainly earned it! :-)
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  • Rague
    Rague CSN Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #13
    KathiM said:

    I, like others....
    ...count the last day of active treatment. For me, well, technically I have 2 dates: one for the rectal and one for the breast...

    But for both, I became NED on July 4, 2006...last rad for the breast cancer...

    I use 'cancer free' or 'finished with treatment' when talking outside of the cancer community, because most people 'out there' don't understand 'NED'...makes no difference to me...

    Knuffels, Kathi

    Furthering myths
    There is no way I will further the myth that cancer is cured or that one is free of it. There are far too many myths out tthere and there is no way I will further them. We, who know better, should educate the uninformed rather than playing into their ignorance. It up to them rather or not they want to learn but their ignorance should not be feed. JMO.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
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  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith CSN Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #14
    JuJuBeez said:

    I count today, 3/29/10, as
    I count today, 3/29/10, as my anniversary because that's the day this whole trip started. My surgery date is May, and my rad date is July 2. I guess the first time I heard NED was in August before I started Tamoxifen. So, there is a five-month span between these dates. Heck, celebrate them all! You certainly earned it! :-)

    I have to say with all my dates
    I must say with all my dates I gave above I am like others.We aren't free of this beast.Why I don't know what date I'm free.That gene is somewhere.It might come out but we never know if or when it will????

    It's been almost 3 years.I don't feel comfortable. Next mammo is January 2003.

    I know how we've had to change our lifestyle.Don't eat this, dont clean with that, just a few drinks of beer wine etc can be bad,don't be around smoke and way to many more to list.Things we didn't look at before. Life isn't NORMAL like it used to be.

    Lynn Smith
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  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame CSN Member Posts: 868
    #15
    Interesting Question
    I never say it aloud how long it has been, since I had it twice. I just say, "I am a survivor." But...mentally, I count it from the date they said I was cancer free.

    We are all different and naturally we react differently to a question.

    Lots of Love,
    Janelle
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  • Angie2U
    Angie2U CSN Member Posts: 2,991
    #16
    tufi000 said:

    I don't count
    Just glad to get through another birthday or holiday. I use the year if asked but don't consciously keep track but will remember a date if I have to for something. I do try to not be a patient in any way I can.

    I don't really celebrate the
    I don't really celebrate the date I was diagnosed. I just celebrate each and every day and thank God that I am NED.

    Hugs, Angie
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  • ginnyl63664
    ginnyl63664 CSN Member Posts: 8
    #17
    what is the correct answer
    I foiund out june 29th of 2000 and been in some kind of treatment everysince. i have ibc breast with mets to the bones and the treatment now herceptin every three weeks and zometa twice a year
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  • ginnyl63664
    ginnyl63664 CSN Member Posts: 8
    #18
    what is the correct answer
    I foiund out june 29th of 2000 and been in some kind of treatment everysince. i have ibc breast with mets to the bones and the treatment now herceptin every three weeks and zometa twice a year
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  • ginnyl63664
    ginnyl63664 CSN Member Posts: 8
    #19
    what is the correct answer
    I foiund out june 29th of 2000 and been in some kind of treatment everysince. i have ibc breast with mets to the bones and the treatment now herceptin every three weeks and zometa twice a year
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  • ginnyl63664
    ginnyl63664 CSN Member Posts: 8
    #20
    what is the correct answer
    I foiund out june 29th of 2000 and been in some kind of treatment everysince. i have ibc breast with mets to the bones and the treatment now herceptin every three weeks and zometa twice a year
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  • carkris
    carkris CSN Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #21
    ginnyl63664 said:

    what is the correct answer
    I foiund out june 29th of 2000 and been in some kind of treatment everysince. i have ibc breast with mets to the bones and the treatment now herceptin every three weeks and zometa twice a year

    I dont use that sentence. I
    I dont use that sentence. I just say i am x amount of years out of treatment.
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