the all-clear sign?

sdstarfish
sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hey Girls:

Question for some of you who are farther along re: BC experience than I am. When are you considered 'cancer-free' or 'in remission', and what is the difference? In other words, if I'm done my chemo and surgeries -  and I don't need radiation - who, if anyone, tells me I'm clear?

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  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited September 2007

    i think (imho) that because there is 'no cure' for BC that most responsible oncs never hand out an "all clear" ............ but the good ones DO tell you to get on with your life and after reviewing the stats for recurrence, encourage us to live as if we're cancer free, while monitoring us closely.

    i believe that we give ourselves permission to feel "all clear" and hopeful ....... when modern medicine can second that emotion it'll be a glorious day for all of us! 

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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited September 2007

    Shel,

    How often will I be monitored, and by whom? No one has clearly told me this. Thanks.

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  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited September 2007

    well i wish i could speak to that, but i'm in canada and our guidelines seem to be a little different.  post treatment i was seen monthly for 6 months, then i "graduated" to every 2months x2, now i'm at every 3 months ........ and as i understand it, i will be stuck there until 5 years out, at which point i'll have graduated to twice yearly "for life" .............. unfortunately my overzealous ovaries also necessitate a monthly visit to the chemo suite for a zoladex (lupron) injection .......... but my onc visits are lessening a bit and my day to day issues such as heart failure from chemo and HTN are now the responsibility of my GP.

    any and all concerns which may be cancer related are quickly referred back to the cancer clinic, and they are fantastic at ordering diagnostics wherever warranted .............. my rib mets were immediately addressed (even before i thought that my 'silly' complaint was an issue!  at this particular juncture, i'm fairly content with my treatment and overall outlook ............. but i DO have days where i wonder if it's in my best interest to be referred back to my GP for everything that is assumed to be "non cancer related".

    i am also quite fortunate to be an RN in an acute care hospital, and well thought of by many a specialist .......... so i have the advantage (and make good use of it) of being well cared for at the drop of a hat, and can often forgo the dreaded "referral" phase .......... 

    ask LOTS  of questions about your "after care" and rest easy knowing you've fought the worst of the fight ................ post treatment stress nearly did me in till i learned (and am still learning) to live a little ............. NO, make that a lot! 

      

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited September 2007

    You really need to get this information from your oncologist. Most start with three month visits that expand after a year or two to 6 month visits. Eventually it goes to one year (I believe -- not there yet).

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited September 2007

    I take the attitude that even though we never know if we're "all clear," neither does anyone else walking this planet know if they're "all clear" of any disease.  So, I don't let it bother me.

    Tina

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited September 2007

    Hi Starfish,

    My radiation onc told me 2 1/2 months ago when I finished tx that I was cured of THAT cancer.  Stage I, Grade II, .7 cm.  Lovely ... but I know that there is no cure for cancer.  I suppose he meant that the cancer he treated was gone and he pointed out my survival rate at 10 years to be 95%.  He didn't talk about recurrence rates.  I did my own research and then met with a medical onc a few weeks ago for further discussion re recurrence stats and taking HT therapy.  At this point, I have no evidence of cancer in my body.  Taking hormonal therapy now is to help prevent a recurrence.  No one knows if it will come back or not.  It's been a struggle to accept that.  But for today, there is no evidence of disease in my body.

    I hope this helps,

    Brenda

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited September 2007

    Unfortunately there is never an all clear from cancer until we die from some other cause.  When I was finished with all active tx then I was seeing my onc every three months.  Eventually it was changed to every three months, every six months and then every year.    The best you can do is get your life back on track and enjoy every day!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    I just changed from every 4 months to every 6 months.  YEA!  I finished active treatment after ten months of chemo a year ago last April.  So, all of 2005 and almost half of 2006 was chemo, then mast, rads, then more chemo and now Arimidex.  Sooooo,  I am very happy not to visit them as often. Smile

    Shirley

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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited September 2007
    Some great perspective here. Thanks a million Smile
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  • Stack
    Stack Member Posts: 157
    edited September 2007

    im a little hesitant at the idea of going to 6 month check ups instead of 3 month. i have been done with treatment and on HT for about a year and a half now. my onc changed my next appt to a half hour instead of the usual 15 minutes, so i am hoping she isnt going to tell me to start coming every 6 months now instead.

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  • tawyna1
    tawyna1 Member Posts: 273
    edited September 2007

    hi,

    after treatment mom was seen every three months now it is every six months. she had breast cancer 3 years ago. we take her to see her onc again in november. 

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited September 2007

    I was so looking forward to seeing my oncologist just ONCE a year. I was an eyelash away from that milestone. Now, we get to keep the relationship going way more than I'd like.

    So, essentially, it's true--we can presume no evidence of disease, but while dare to feel more secure with each passing year, we're always looking over our shoulder. The beast can return. It can be growing while you think you just might have achieved a cure.

    Live life and enjoy. NED is NED. Call it remission or cure if you wish. It's all very subjective and personal. And very tenuous.

    Anne

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited October 2007

    Hi Starfish, I still cannot believe you made the luncheon just 3 days after a double mast!  My dear, you are AMAZING!!!

    I got no tests.  Never have, asked for and got one bone scan about 5 years ago.  It was fine.

    So much depends on what kind of insurance you have, how worried they are about recurrence, and a dozen other things.

    But at Sharp Medical, I get nothing.  I did go in for mammo's every 6 months for 5 years, but now back to once a year.  That's it for me.

    Hugs, Shirlann

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  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited October 2007

    I was diagnosed in 2002 and will be 5 years from my mastectomy in November.  I still go every 4 months but I think I will be asking about every 6.  We are changing back to our lousy insurance and my oncologist, surgeon, all my good doctors that I trust will be out of network!!!!  I went through this up until this past year when I was in heaven as they were all in network-finally!!!  So for the sake of money I will see if I can space it better.  Isnt that terrible that you even have to think like that.  I was Stage 2, ER positive, Her2 positive 2 nodes micromet to a third.  I finished my chemo in June 2003.  I'm now on Arimidex til Lord knows when.  I am 43.

    Barb

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  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited October 2007

    I am almost positive that I will elect not to do hormone therapy. I don't like the fact that Tamox. has a risk of other cancers developing, not to mention stroke. Also, I am tired of taking meds. I am checking into doing things naturally.

    (Good to finally get to the luncheon on my end too, Shirlann!)

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