when is the first year?

Ramona -

I'm new to this too - good question.

In my case I had surgery to remove my tumor on 6/7 of this year. But my CT shows one 1-cm met to the liver (biopsied during surgery and confirmed positive). So, I won't feel good about starting "the count" until I have a negative PET/CT - next one scheduled for 8/26, so let's hope. (Even then they may do a liver resection, so maybe I should wait until then.)

Be interested in what others say. "NED" is a hard guy to pin down!

Betsy

alihamilton said:

This is interesting...my husband's oncologist counts the date of surgery as start of being free of cancer. I hope others post. I agree that every day is a blessing!

Ali

I started the 5 year "countdown" from the first scans and bloods done immediately following my final chemo session.
cheers, kanga n Jen

The studies that made up the five year rule start counting from the end of the initial phase of treatment. If that ended with surgery- start then- if at chemo, start then. Teh truth is it is a bit arbitrary and the relatioship wetween length of time free and likelihood of recurrence is not a simple linear relatioship. Some oncologists are now considering using three years free as being considered out of the woods as most recurrences actually occur within that time. As others have said it is more about appreciating every day, living our lives despite this spectre hanging over our shoulders and as Lisa Rose says- hugging and loving our kids (or who ever happens to be around att he time).
Steve

I believe the 5 year mark is a bit arbitrary. My oncologist said it is from the 1st day that you are disease free. Since tghe preoperative chemoradiation knocked out my cancer, he actually predated my surgery by about a month for my 5 year date. However, as Steve said, if you make it throught the 1st 3 (or even 2) years without trouble, you are in good shape. I know that does not help the people waiting for those dates, but at least it shrinks the super anxiety period. I found that getting my body back in good shope helped pass those first 2-3 years by quickly. I figured that I had little or no control over cancer, but I had control over my life and my body's physical status. I kept it as helathy as I could without being a complete nut. Ran, lifed wieghts, rode my bike. The activity helped pass the time and helped me sleep and LOOK healthy, whcih always impresses people who know you survived cancer. Yeah, I'm a little vain after cancer...I look prety good for someone who almost didn't make it through treatment, and I rejoice in that! I say 5 years form surgery, if surgery went well, should do it for you. Good luck...and livestrong!

Hi Ramona,
I had the same question. I had presurgical chemoradiation, then surgery, then chemo....My surgeon said to count from surgery date -- so that it what I have done. But, it is a little abitrary. In truth, I like to use every available opportunity to celebrate!! The anniversary of my diagnosis is bittersweeet, but an important date for me. And one thing I love about this board is vicariously celebrating along with everyone else's anniversaries!!
Best wishes,
Tara