At what point is one considered NED?

bluewillow

At what point is one considered NED?

bluewillow

Hello everyone!

I have a question that sounds silly/dumb to me, but here goes anyway... 

At what point is one considered "NED", cancer-free, etc.?  By this, I mean is the NED status determined at the end of chemo, or at the end of all treatment, or when exactly?  I'd love to hear your experiences with this, please!

I started with 4 DD A/C in Sept. 2007, now two more weekly Taxols to go, then it's on with radiation, plus Herceptin until Nov. 2008.  I am still not sure if I will have more scans or not, because when I had my re-excision in Aug. 2007, I was told I had clear margins and the surgery got all the cancer and the chemo is a precaution for possible stray cancer cells, etc.  The dr. also told me that since my tumor was so small, they would not do tumor marker tests on me. 

Thanks so much and have a great Saturday evening!

Mary Jo

ps- I am a Granny as of Jan. 16   See Mason Levi Todd's pic at left

jan125

NED=No evidence of Disease

means that when they scan you they can't see any cancer

when that happens is differrent for everyone.

What a beautiful baby.

Congrats!!!!

maryannecb

Bluewillow, most onc do nto do scans after treatment ends unless you have symptoms or there is a change in your bloodwork. So for you , you have NED until proven otherwise.

I am 2 1/2 years and counting. I finished Herceptin Dec 06. Sounds so long ago now.

Best of luck with finishing up the "hard " stuff. Lucky you to be a grandmother!

Fists up!

Mary-Anne

Anonymous

My doctor said NED right after my mastectomy ....  the cancer was gone. I finished my herceptin in March of 2007.  Almost a year.  I would have finished in Dec but had to go off due to low MUGAs but all that's behind me now!

BTW, Grandma, isn't that the most beautiful name, that and Mommy. I put "kissing my grandchild" on my Bucket list .... my only child is 6, so I better live to do that!!!  Beer trucks better stay outta my path! 

bluewillow

Hey Jan, Mary-Anne, and Rocktobermom,

Thanks so much for the info about NED!  So, I guess that means my NED status began right after my surgery Aug 20 '07-- sounds good to me!!!  I had my last Taxol this morning and all my bloodwork and echo results were perfect!  yippee!  I see my onc/surgeon tomorrow to find out about my rads and solo herceptin schedules.  I'm anxious to get this show on the road and get the tx behind me! 

Being a granny is soooo wonderful!!!!

Thanks again and take care, everyone!

Mary Jo