In September 2018, I got the advanced thumbs up for 10 Years in the Clear at my six month checkup.
Last summer I remember hoping all my labs and scans would come back clean, because my oncologist had told me if all was copasetic at my September visit, he’d go ahead and declare it 10.
Then it happened. And I was in awe.
Ten years? I’m a ten year cancer survivor? That’s huge!
At first I was all set to start the celebrations then, but…
Hesitant
Remissionversaries are weird. Some doctors count the remission date from your last scan/labs where there is no more evidence of the disease. Some count it from the initial diagnosis date.
My original oncologist was the latter.
However, it always struck me as weird to have my diagnosis and remission anniversaries on the same date. Like I said, at first I was excited to be at 10, and I was, but I was also leery to start celebrating.
Mostly I was excited to be moved to yearly visits. (My oncologist’s office is great. They’ve been so kind and patient, but I still prefer the least amount of visits as possible.)
Slow My Roll
Anyway, the superstitious part of me also felt like if I started celebrating too soon I’d jinx something.
So I waited. Have been waiting.
When do I consider my remission? Am I there yet?
Purt near!
Remission: Phase 1
The same way I knew I had cancer before it was ever officially diagnosed was the same way I knew I was in remission. It was April after my fourth chemo. Something felt different about it. My body responded very differently to those last three chemos for one thing. That was a big clue.
But also, I just knew.
In May 2009, after my sixth chemo (I had them once every three weeks for six to seven hours –phew, I remember well those long days! Not fondly, but well.), was when Dr. Patton said, “You’re in remission. Now we wait a bit before starting the next course of treatment: radiation.”
So is it May?
That’s what I call Phase 1 of Remission.
The Official “R-Day”: June 18
But I prefer to declare June 18 my official Remissionversary date. That’s the day I completed radiation.
Here at last! Here at last!
It’s just under a month to go before I reach the real R-Day. So close. Since it’s right around the corner, and so far I’m feeling fine, I think it’s safe to go ahead and start planning some festivities.
And planning I most certainly am…
#ToBeContinued