Remission or "cured"?

KMQW2010

I think I posted in the wrong spot.  What was your first cancer?  Stage, etc.?  After 10 years you have another cancer?  What was your treatment 10 years ago?  Chemo? Radiation? meds for five years and what meds?  I'm done with chemo and radiation.  Have issues with perscription meds.  Thank you.

Lowrider54

KMQW2010 - Stage II - III boderline (node involvement), modified single mascetomy, chemo, Tamoxifin - cancer-free for 10 years 6 months.  Recurrence 10 years 6 months out from completion of chemo (or 11 years 2 months from surgical removal).  Stage iv - mets to bone only, hormonals and biphosponates.  Pain, emotional and mental health managed with medication.  One year out, second hormonal - slight progression, scans in 2 months.

Laurie_R

I think that in addtion to research for a cure there should be fund rasising being done for women who can't afford the all the testing that is available.  As was mentioned before it costs alot less to do testing than treatment after it's found. Any thoughts or comments?

FireKracker

after i had 6 nodes removed and all 6 came back negative YAY.i looked the dr in the eye and said.ARE YOU TELLING ME RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO CANCER IN MY BODY...her answer was YES.so back to the original question REMISSION OR CURED????? I really dont feel cured.i do feel like im in remission.i think each dr.feels differently.I wish i had the answer.all i know i dont feel cured.

rumoret

I enjoyed reading this entire thread.....good.....bad....and.....the ugly! I think everyone posted their feelings on the subject and it was one great therapy session for me.

HUGS TO ALL OF MY BEAUTIFUL SISTERS!    ///(*_*)\\

Lowrider54

Laurie_R....I am not sure how much 'fund raising' goes on for the testing but there are many groups throughout the country that offer free mamograms and will fund additional testing if necessary.  In addition, there is help available during treatment as well.  The gap I have found is after treatment ends.  It is something that is being discussed on the forum about fund raising and charities.  Head on over and chime in - I sure they will appreciate any and all input!

Of interest is an article I happened upon when searching to see if my letter had been posted...there is a campaign going on concerning raising awareness of stage iv and we are writing letters to our local papers...I was trying to see if mine had been published yet and came across a most interesting article.  Following the release on Sept 24th of the 'off-on' gene,  there seems to be increasing interest in the 'genetic' factor - both of the individual but the tumor itself.  It is not specific to breast cancer but cancer as a whole - a disease with many faces.  http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/103878023.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

I found it to follow that by answering some key questions as seen in the article, the research could move forward in a direction - a single direction - with renewed vigor that a cure is attainable. 

GrammyKay

Hi- I had surgery to remove the cancer on Jan 27 and went thru the Rad. They removed one lymp knode and took out the lump . However I have had itching on the right side of breast when surgery was on left side of right breast. I do not have any swelling of arm . When they were getting me ready for surgery they inserted a wire on the right side of breast and then relized it was on wrong side so pulled it out and inserted on left side of right breast so Dr had a marker for the cancer. I was very red on bottom side of breast after surgery and whenI went into the Rad program. No one could tell me if that was normal or not. Now I have this! It is a little scary!

painterly

I enjoyed reading this thread and learning about everyone's point of view.

We all have our own perspective on the disease and its probability of recurrence. We have to believe in what we are doing is right for us and  live life to its fullest while maintaining a healthy diet, exercise etc etc. and believe that the cancer has gone and won't come back. If it does, I will deal with it.

The above philosophy took many months to establish and sink in!

Hugs to everyone,

Glenis

LoveLau

I agree, my drs qantes to tell the truth when they didnt kjow the truth, now after the taylors trials they want to say I'm cured.

dtad

Hi everyone...I see this is an old thread. The term NED, no evidence of disease, is the appropriate one these days. The only way you know you are cured would be when you die of something else. There is new evidence that BC can recur many years after initial diagnosis, especially hormone positive. So call it what you want but these are the facts. Good luck to all.

wobbly

Dtad there are also 40 year duration studies showing no recurrence, which means clinical cure. These long term studies were before advances in treatment, so will underestimate current numbers cured.

The study you refer to, suggests late recurrence is a possibility not an inevitability.

Glass half full for the newbies

Peace