Length of time cancer free?

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pamcycle
pamcycle Member Posts: 39
Length of time cancer free?

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  • pamcycle
    pamcycle Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2011

    Do you use the diagnosed date, the surgery date or the date you finished your treatments?  To determine how long you have been cancer free?

  • mamaof3bugs
    mamaof3bugs Member Posts: 198
    edited April 2011

    I use the day I had my lumpectomy!  All doctors are different, it your personal preference :D  Angi

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited April 2011

    Same here Mama...surgery date 3/20/09..that is when that freaking tumor was removed..

    Not sure about the term cancer free..but I was free of the cancerous tumor..hoping that chemo/rads took care of anything else still hanging around

  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited April 2011

    My doctors always used date of diagnosis... So that would make me coming up on 6 years later this month!

  • yellowdoglady
    yellowdoglady Member Posts: 349
    edited April 2011

    Here we use date of diagnosis as a landmark.  Two and a half years now and feeling pretty positive about a lot more.

    My tip: Do something you really want to do once a year to commemorate your anniversary and give you something to look forward to instead of looking back.  What is behind us does not matter.  We need to get through the bad to get on with the good.  And if we turn out to be unlucky down the road, at least we didn't sit here waiting for bad luck to find us.  Get out now and take your personal version of a gondola ride.    

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited April 2011

    Thanks YDL for your insight..I keep track on Outlook on how many months out I am....in May I have a mammogram..plus see the onc and BS...starting to get a little nervous..not seeing the doctors but the mammogram..it won't be a diagnostic which ticks me off..

  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited April 2011

    for me - the date is when i completed treatment....

  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2011

    Most oncs use the date of diagnosis....so for me, that's five years last February!  My DH and I always do something special on the date, but now we also celebrate each day more than we did before bc.

  • bckicker
    bckicker Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2011

    2 yr 9 months since dx ....although my onc wants me to count after my last chemo treatment so then it would be 2yr 1 month

  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited April 2011

    2 yrs 6 months from surgery.

  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2011

    Sometimes I use the date of first symptoms, that's what DH doctor used when he had his last reoccurance.  Sometimes I use the date of my diagnosis & other times I use the date I finished treatment.  I don't think their is a hard & fast rule.

    It's been 3 1/2 years, survivor Novemeber 10, 2007 (first symptom)

    It's been almost 3 1/2 years since my diagnosis, Jan 10, 2008

    It's been 2 1/2 years, NED November 10, 2008

    I find it interesting how I have these reoccuraning dates. 

    Love & prayers. NJ

  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited April 2011

    5 1/2 years since diagnosis at age 41 on Oct 26, 2005!

     Love
    Michele

  • Meggy
    Meggy Member Posts: 530
    edited April 2011

    3 years and 3 months since diagnosis.  That's what my oncologist said she uses.  Curlylocks....so good to hear of your over 5 years!!!!!!!!  Can't wait to join you.

  • Rennasus
    Rennasus Member Posts: 1,267
    edited April 2011

    I decided I'm gonna use my surgery date, 'cause that's the date I got it outta me! So, almost 3 months. I'm a newbie.

    Yahoo for all you ladies with YEARS on top of months!! ;-) 

  • agada
    agada Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2011

    I use my surgery date.  I thought the dates, like being cancer free 5 years out, were based on how long the studies for a paticular cancer were performed and not an actual date the cancer could come back. If a study was done for ten years, lets say, then you have a ten year survival rate because nothing was studied after the ten years so your survival rate could be much longer.  Am I very wrong on this?  Thanks.

    Agada

  • yellowdoglady
    yellowdoglady Member Posts: 349
    edited April 2011

    Agada,

    I was told that a 5-year suvival rate is used for TNBC because the aggressive nature of the beast is such that if it's going to come back that will almost certainly happen within the five year window.  My radiologist told me that if I was here and well at the five year mark, I'd need never worry about it again (unless of course I managed to develop a new primary tumor).

  • guitarGrl
    guitarGrl Member Posts: 697
    edited April 2011

    For insurance companies the count begins the day you finish all treatment - I've been trying to get long term care insurance, and that's what they tell me when they turn me down.

  • yellowdoglady
    yellowdoglady Member Posts: 349
    edited April 2011

    Have your doctor send a letter then.  They are invested in seeing you through.  At least ask.  Your dx is pretty tame as things go, and you have been well for a long time.

  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited April 2011

    Hi sister, I am 13 years past since diagnosis, and doing fine.  

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann 

  • Youwearpink
    Youwearpink Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Hello All,

    I will be 9 years on June 23rd this year!!! I am a Tri-Neg. I use the date of diagnosis. I was a survivor the minute I found out and still am to this day!!! Wink

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited May 2011

    Hi Shirlann..again..thanks soooo much for coming back on here now and then and being our support...we NEED you!

    And you wear pink..thanks to you also!    You guys are sweet to take time out for us! 

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