Strange thought. But if they have removed it, with clear margins and nodes, do I still have cancer? I still have to go through the different treatments, so technically I’m not cured, as such, but… it’s like being a recovering addict, isn’t it?
And does it ever go away? I was reading about the correlation between skin cancer and other cancers. Interesting.
No. Cancer is gone. You need radiotherapy just to clear up any rogue cels that might be lurking or be transferred during surgery.
does feel weird not having to worry.
Well we are still undergoing treatment for cancer but the main treatment for my particular bc cancer (invasive ductal) is surgery, which removed the tumour. The rest is to mop up any cells that are not visible and to prevent it occuring. So we are still having treatment but hopefully it is gone. There must be data on reoccurrence levels with, without various post surgery treatments matched against side effects of such treatments. That’s what the oncotype test is there for. Ten years ago people just had surgert, chemo, rads so there are people who had chemo that didn’t need it.
I know that when I saw my surgeon for my results he said that they had removed the tumour lymph nodes and everything was clear, he said the radiotherapy and hormone tablets was belts and braces.
Then when I saw my oncologist in March after I finished my radiotherapy he actually told me I was cancer free
Helena
Hi
I found that I couldn’t say I was cancer free until I had the first mammogram and even now I don’t say it very often, for fear of it coming back. Don’t want to jinx it!
Sue xx
The day after surgery in my heaf I was saying yay my cancer is gone the surgeon took it but then the rollercoaster began and I was thinking yes but wait for results. Then it was well you need rads and tablets as prevention now i am just thinking I am mad having conversations with myself in my head x
I would love a fur baby to cuddle they are a real tonic fir stress I have got a tortoise called Shellie but stroking him is just not the same ?
Rosie I bet you are squashed between the 2 if them as both big breeds but what a lovely way to be squashed xx
Hi ladies.
Not been on today, hope you are coping well! I’ve been keeping myself busy since I got my chemo start date and thought there’s no point in moping!
Getting my wig sorted and stocking in mouthwash, sweets, body lotions and facecreams!
Jencat
I too think that Merlot the cat knows Im not well! He stays wirh me most of rhe day and when Im having a weepy moment he watches me with his big eyes and doesn’t leave me. Not sure what I’d do without him. How did scan go? I remember you have another one Sunday. Good luck! Hope your daughter is ok too.xxx
SueW! Enjoy your wedding party tomorrow.xx
Thank you ck x
I would like a cat or a dog but hubby allergic to cats and working full time (normally) I would worry shout leaving a dog home alone
Perhaps I need a guinea pig or rabbit as a fur baby x
We were allergies to cats once but when we got Merlot we took antihistamine at the start and fever needed them since! Maybe worth a try! They are so comforting and do t need walkies.
Let me know how you get on at party. The first one I went to after surgery I got tired from the tslking (not like me) but was happy to be out.x
An interesting article I found, in my search for defining my state of health:
macmillan.org.uk/documents/aboutus/newsroom/consequences_of_treatment_june2013.pdf
I felt like this pecan after my surgery, found myself questioning wether to say had or have!
Now I just say the cancer is gone but I need follow up treatment.
To be honest, the reason I started my group on fb is to cut down on all this every time I bump into a friend or mum from the school. I can just cherry pick the info I out on there and everyone knows what stage I’m at, its also been great for telling the mums I won’t see until start of school…when I rock up bald!!!
Quite honestly Pecan, I’m just glad the mammo picked mine up & an early stage, treatment was successful causing negligable issues with side effects & I’m now back to life as normal.
I feel lucky.
‘justifies the cost in side effects’? but what is the alternative? It wont go away.
The latest figures suggest 1 in 2 of is will get a cancer diagnosis at some point in our lives, so it is a common experience, with for most us, it is a blip that we move on from.
It is an interesting article, & Macmillan are quite rightly campaining for better services, but I’m glad I didn’t see it when I was diagnosed last year.
ann x
Oh dear, Optimissy, I’m not getting hung up on anything. I was simply wondering how we see ourselves once the tumour has been removed. And it turns out it’s a far more complex issue than I thought it was. It was really meant to be a light hearted discussion.
Ann-m, with regard to justifying the cost in side effects, you ask what is the alternative, and it won’t go away. But it has gone away. This is what rattles my brain so.
After the absolute hell of the last 6 weeks, and the current pain from the removal of the tumour and the nodes, and possible side effects of chemo and rads (that I still don’t know I need), and the constant thought that there might be some cancer cells roaming around waiting to recur… I cannot consider myself cancer free. Or a survivor. I think that MacMillan’s term “living with cancer” is probably the most accurate.
Maybe my mind has been influenced by the fact that I did previously have skin cancer, and have been for the last 25 years constantly on the lookout for a recurrence. Hmmm.
Anyway, it seems I might be upsetting some people, so I am quite happy to end this debate, or it could go to a different board.
Maybe this is just my way of coping.
I have loved this thread and get exactly where everyone is coming from for me (as long as results come back clear on Wednesday) a really nice man removed by body invader and the continued support of him and his team will ensure its @ss stays kicked. However you decide to think or define yourself I wish everyone health and happiness and just know that this has give me a bit of a f… it attitude. When little things wound me up previously I now think is it important and if I think no in my head I think f… it and move on xxx
Lady m when I went away before surgery my travel insurance cost me £200 BUT holiday was booked with Thomas Cook and I had their insurance and although I hadn’t started treatment i called to tell them of my diagnosis and I had to pay an additional premium to what I had paid previous making the total 200 was I ripped off … probably as I am sure I could have got it cheaper but at that moment in time my head was shot and I just paid x
I am sure they just took advantage as I ran a go compare quite after and it was only about £80 x
They were definitely taking advantage !! I got cover for whole family for £80.