Cannot get my head round remission! What does ... - My Ovacome
Cannot get my head round remission! What does it mean? Cancer nurse says like cancer has gone to sleep, but I still don't get it. Help pls
I am not sure that they really know how to describe it, I like thinking that my cancer is not active and I have also noticed that my oncology team never use the word remission. In terms of looking at it in another way, it means for me, I have no symptoms and a low CA125 and that cancer cannot be detected by a CT scan. I am not sure if this helps, but I know that many others will post.
Take care, Wendy x
Thanks HumbleD. Reply appreciated. x
If you have known disease, that is shrinking, or staying the same (inactive) - that is partial remission. If you have no discernable disease, and consequently do not need treatment - that is total or complete remission. Because many cancers do not fully go, but might have long periods of inactivity, the medical profession do not talk much about 'cure', but cure (in that people who have had even advanced, aggressive cancers, have achieved remission and never relapsed) happens in all stages and types of cancer. We all have cells in our bodies that can turn into cancers, and obviously, when this has already happened, it is deemed to be more likely in you. There is a great deal you can do in terms of diet, exercise and stress-addressing, that can do to protect yourself against relapse if you achieve a complete remission. The important thing is to work out what you need to do, as it may not be the same as for others.
Some cancers - and ovarian cancers are notorious for recurring- are more prone to recur than others, but this does not mean that your cancer will necessarily recur, unless you have been told that it has not been possible to eradicate it and declare you to be in total remission.
Isadora.
Hi Buttercup
If you're lucky enough to be told you're in remission it's a time for enjoying life to the full and making what you can of it. Even when the oncologists tell you the remission is at an end and the cancer is starting to reappear it doesn't mean you will necessarily need treatment straight away so more opportunity for enjoying a reprieve from treatment.
What is really tragic is that not everyone is lucky to have much in the way of remission but it's inspiring to read that some women continue to have full and busy lives even though they're dependent on near continual treatment.
Perhaps remission is as much in the head as in the body? You've started an interesting train of thought today.
love Annie xxx
My way of thinking is 'Right here, right now, I'm OK' no-one ever told me i was in remission or cured, we just seemed to take things stage by stage. However, I was very lucky though, mine was borderline and it was ten years ago. I am so aware that I should try to enjoy each minute I have. I have this in common with all the women on here, I am sure. I hope you have a long remission.
Love Wendy xx
