Cancer-Free vs Remission

[Lisa_H]

I have ovarian cancer and am Stage IIIC.  First, I had a complete hysterectomy because there were two 15 cm tumors and they also removed my appendix and omentum.  I then had 4 months of chemo from February of this year until just a couple of weeks ago.  I had my final exam including bloodwork and a CT scan this past week.  My husband and I fully expected my ob/gyn oncologist to tell us I was in remission.  Our understanding is that ovarian cancer is a chronic disease with a high rate of recurrence.  Instead, he told us I am cancer-free.  I will be going for follow-up visits every 3 months this first year and then the appointments will go to every 4 months the next year, etc.  We are ecstatic about the news but a little confused.  Is it possible for me to be cancer-free at this point?  It just seems to be news that's too good to be true.

[Sharon2714]

"there is a time to every purpose under heaven" ... and with the words ur doc is using ... REJOICING seems to be in order here :) u are given a precious gift and that is to know how precarious/short our lives can be and a chance to enjoy all that is coming to u in the future !! i am beside myself happy 4 u
dance, shout from the mountaintops and sing !
the reality is that it really confused me after surgery with my gyn/oncologist started using words like cancer free and cured .. i had a gastroenterologist order a contrast  ct just to double check his words .. i have done 2 years of watchful waiting for 1c serous borderline ovarain cancer and guess what ?? my onc told me at my last visit that i have GRADUATED !!! i like those words too.  And what i have learned of our heavenly father, christ, and the saints, is that they are overjoyed and they want all who read this to hear these same words applied to them ! i think there is a paradigm shift amongst the onc's and if they can call a treatment "curative" they will ... i dont believe them to be misleading in their word choices as oncologists as a rule are realists and at the very least pessimistic ... having said that ... i still want/hope/pray this disease more easily detected and CURED anywhere it is found! amen
love

sharon

[Lisa_H]

Thank you both for your comments.  It has pretty much sunk in now that I am cancer-free.  I intend to take everyone's advice and LIVE!  Thanks again.
Lisa

[dian07]

Hey there....like Marie said....celebrate, celebrate celebrate!!!
I understand your apprehension, but now is not the time to worry.....you are clean right now and that is a wonderful thing.
Like your doctor is doing.....keeping an eye on you for now is important; buy, you need to get on with life and live it fully.
I am happy for you and hope you stay cancer-free.
Peace.
dian

[marie3B]

Celebrate the news!  Remission can mean that the cancer is not detectable or that the small amount of remaining cancer is stable or inactive.  Cancer-free means no cancer can be found.  It is good your doc will still be following you closely.  I have a friend diagnosed at 3c and she will hit her 5 yr cancer-free mark soon.  She is well and happy and you will be the same.  Enjoy and LIVE.  I am happy for you.  Marie