Cancer Survivor / Remission?

curlee8661
curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi ladies (and Chris),
I've been wondering what date is considered as the start of remission? Is it the date you're officially told you're in remission, or is it when your number dropped signifficantly? Also, when people state I'm "x" year cancer survivor, is that counted from date of diagnosis?

Just wondering. With all my reading, I never came across this info, but I'm sure someone here will have the answer.

Thanks,
Marianna

Comments

  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #2
    Curlee,
    I usually go from after the last chemo, and then my Onc orders a CT scan, when he tells me that it's all clear, thats when I claim to be dancing with NED. I also go by the date of staging surgery for my dx. and date of survivor, because to me until you are staged,it's all speculative, even though all the tests say it's ovca...but thats just me. It's a good question I think and will be interested in seeing what other ladies say....(((hugz)))..Joanne
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    Hi Marianna!
    According to my doctor, 'six NED months from the date of the last chemo' starts 'remission'. I personally feel it's from the date of the last chemo, as Joanne. I think it's fair to say you have been 'cancer free' from the time you get that first test that indicates NED, whether it's during chemo, after chemo, etc. There should be some definite guidelines, but I guess it would depend on the individual situation.

    Well, no matter what, we are all SURVIVORS!

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    I usually count from after chemo too. And you will always be a cancer survivor. PTL

    Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    My book from Johns Hopkins Press on OV says the "free of disease" is "as far as can be determined by physical exam, imaging studies, and blood tests. My gyn/onc declared me free as far as could be determined. That is the date I am using but really have to finish this consolidation chemo regimen and be off chemicals before my mind will entertain "remission". I'm left handed too so think differently so people tell me. Interesting question. Hugs, Marianna for the posting. Saundra
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    saundra said:

    My book from Johns Hopkins Press on OV says the "free of disease" is "as far as can be determined by physical exam, imaging studies, and blood tests. My gyn/onc declared me free as far as could be determined. That is the date I am using but really have to finish this consolidation chemo regimen and be off chemicals before my mind will entertain "remission". I'm left handed too so think differently so people tell me. Interesting question. Hugs, Marianna for the posting. Saundra

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  • curlee8661
    curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
    #7
    Thank you all for the replies!

    I've been wondering about this for the past couple of months, and I was feeling a bit silly asking the question, but apparently there's no clearcut answer. I was in a chatroom the other day, and someone there said survivorship is counted from the day of original diagnosis. I guess, the sooner we set the starting point the longer we are survivors, so I'm all for the diagnosis date. However, the remission is still a big question mark. I'm thinking either the end of chemo or the date I got the second look surgery NED result.

    Speaking of wondering ... What's "PTL" Bonnie? It took me months of reading references to "NED", and wondering why you're all taking turns dancing with this guy (LOL) before I finally figured it out just recently: No Evidence of Disease, if anyone's still wondering.

    (((Hugs to you all!))) Marianna
  • curlee8661
    curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
    #8
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I like your way of thinking, Nancy! My cancer jurney started in April 07, so I could celebrate in just over 3 months. Awesome!

    Oh, and don't feel stupid! Like I said, it took me months to figure it out that dancing with NED means NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

    Marianna
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #9
    curlee8661 said:

    Thank you all for the replies!

    I've been wondering about this for the past couple of months, and I was feeling a bit silly asking the question, but apparently there's no clearcut answer. I was in a chatroom the other day, and someone there said survivorship is counted from the day of original diagnosis. I guess, the sooner we set the starting point the longer we are survivors, so I'm all for the diagnosis date. However, the remission is still a big question mark. I'm thinking either the end of chemo or the date I got the second look surgery NED result.

    Speaking of wondering ... What's "PTL" Bonnie? It took me months of reading references to "NED", and wondering why you're all taking turns dancing with this guy (LOL) before I finally figured it out just recently: No Evidence of Disease, if anyone's still wondering.

    (((Hugs to you all!))) Marianna

    I had my last treatment on December 28th and my doctor told me I could say I was "officially" in remission. So I hope that is true. And I believe you are a survivor from day one of diagnosis - so I plan to whoop it up on July 18, 2008 on my one year anniversary.

    Thanks to Nancy for asking what NED was - I've seen people say that often and I thought it had to do with someone's husband! Glad to know I'm not the only one who didn't know.

    Take care!
    Kris
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    curlee8661 said:

    Thank you all for the replies!

    I've been wondering about this for the past couple of months, and I was feeling a bit silly asking the question, but apparently there's no clearcut answer. I was in a chatroom the other day, and someone there said survivorship is counted from the day of original diagnosis. I guess, the sooner we set the starting point the longer we are survivors, so I'm all for the diagnosis date. However, the remission is still a big question mark. I'm thinking either the end of chemo or the date I got the second look surgery NED result.

    Speaking of wondering ... What's "PTL" Bonnie? It took me months of reading references to "NED", and wondering why you're all taking turns dancing with this guy (LOL) before I finally figured it out just recently: No Evidence of Disease, if anyone's still wondering.

    (((Hugs to you all!))) Marianna

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • curlee8661
    curlee8661 Member Posts: 56
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Ahhh! Your're probably right Nancy.
    Thanks!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #12
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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