LisaA

I hear people say that they are a cancer survivor for xx years.  What date do people use to determine this?
The date it was first detected? The date treatment was finished? The date that a person is NED for the first time on a scan?
Mine was detected 1 year ago, radiation SBRT treatment ended 8 months ago, last scan 1 week ago was no evidence of new disease. 
Which date do I use?
 
 
 

I use the date of my detection, but the important thing is you're still here to decide. 

Thank you all for your replies. I really just need something that is finally positive in my life since it has been a long, long year.    So I am using tomorrow, 11/24 as my date since that was the date of detection. 
So a happy 1 year cancer survivor dinner and toast will occur tomorrow.  I wish good health and healing to all on this board. Thank you for being here for me whenever I have needed answers. I'm grateful that I am not alone. 🧡

Thank you all for your replies. I really just need something that is finally positive in my life since it has been a long, long year.    So I am using tomorrow, 11/24 as my date since that was the date of detection. 
So a happy 1 year cancer survivor dinner and toast will occur tomorrow.  I wish good health and healing to all on this board. Thank you for being here for me whenever I have needed answers. I'm grateful that I am not alone. 🧡

Thank you all for your replies. I really just need something that is finally positive in my life since it has been a long, long year.    So I am using tomorrow, 11/24 as my date since that was the date of detection. 
So a happy 1 year cancer survivor dinner and toast will occur tomorrow.  I wish good health and healing to all on this board. Thank you for being here for me whenever I have needed answers. I'm grateful that I am not alone. 🧡

Thank you all for your replies. I really just need something that is finally positive in my life since it has been a long, long year.    So I am using tomorrow, 11/24 as my date since that was the date of detection. 
So a happy 1 year cancer survivor dinner and toast will occur tomorrow.  I wish good health and healing to all on this board. Thank you for being here for me whenever I have needed answers. I'm grateful that I am not alone. 🧡

Thank you all for your replies. I really just need something that is finally positive in my life since it has been a long, long year.    So I am using tomorrow, 11/24 as my date since that was the date of detection. 
So a happy 1 year cancer survivor dinner and toast will occur tomorrow.  I wish good health and healing to all on this board. Thank you for being here for me whenever I have needed answers. I'm grateful that I am not alone. 🧡

I don’t feel I can call myself a survivor because I’m still being actively surveyed every 8 weeks for slightly enlarging nodules that can be the result of inflammation vs. recurrence at stage 3B following lobectomy and prior chemo/radiation. I think about the possibility of dying so much that I cannot think of myself as a survivor. If I’m fortunate enough to get an NED diagnosis I will feel like a survivor...even if it comes back. I wish I could get back my positive attitude but I’m feeling a bit weary at this point. I hope it’s okay to not express 100 percent positivity on this site.
❤️
Jane CM
 
 

I use my date of diagnosis - my 'cancerversary' - because I have survived this damn cancer, multiple surgeries and treatments, and all that came with it. You decide what works for you but in my book, we're all survivors from the minute we're diagnosed.

Perfectly normal Jane...  totally ok to say what you are thinking. It’s probably easier to say these things to us than friends or family. 
 
For me the likelihood of NED is probably not realistic so I go with the date of my diagnosis too.  Somewhere in the archives of this forum there was a similar discussion that reflected a quote that stayed with me “you are a survivor the moment you’re told you have this disease and don’t drop dead from the news”.   (Or something along those lines).  
 
Curt is right- it’s your choice. Whatever works. There’s really no rule book on this since we are the new face of lung cancer.  No one really ever talked about survivorship before.  
 
Rock on Lisa!  
Michelle

i prefer to call myself a survivor from the date of my diagnosis. (or maybe even before, since my cancer was suspected, but couldn't be confirmed until after my lobectomy)

@LisaA whichever damn date you want!   Congratulations on NED.  

Curt, great news on the staging! I hope that you are feeling well and gaining strength! 

HI Barb,
I finished my radiation treatment last Wednesday, and I have a cough that has been progressively developing as well. In addition, I have been feeling generally tired. I had hoped that I would be able to call Dr and ask for an early return to work, but not being this tired!  I do not have chest tightness though.  Is it a possibility that you are developing pneumonitis? Your dr will be able to answer this question.  I am hoping that you start to feel perfect in the days ahead! 

OK well all done with treatment number 1....i didn't feel a thing. I was just  trying to relax and pray that everything would be  OK.  Can't wait to get home and  relax

OK well all done with treatment number 1....i didn't feel a thing. I was just  trying to relax and pray that everything would be  OK.  Can't wait to get home and  relax

Hi Barb, I hope you're feeling better! I go today for my first SBRT radiation treatment and I'm feeling very nervous.  My insurance did not approve the  proton therapy but my Dr feels that the  SBRT is more curative so we are gong down that path. Prayers please! Hoping you are doing great! 

Congratulations!
 

Hi Barb, such great news and so encouraging! I'm so glad that you are having such a positive response to killing off all those cancer cells! Keep up the great work!
Are you receiving Photon (aka SBRT or cyberknife) or Proton Beam radiation treatment? I'm facing one of these treatments myself, just waiting to hear from insurance on IF they will approve the very pricey Proton Radiation Therapy.  How many total radiation treatments will you be receiving? I will be getting 5 treatments of high dose radiation photon radiation treatment OR 15 treatments via the Proton radiation therapy. 
Keep up the healing! I love your positivity!!!!

I am totally amazed at what the radiologist showed me on the computer screen today.  Before-Tumor the size of a lemon, After 4 1/2 weeks, the size of a quarter and the swollen lymph node is almost gone.   If only our bodies could tolerate radiation until its completely gone, none of us would have to go through the stress!!!

Today's results: NED! The SBRT I had in September continues to work its magic. I'll scan again in 4 months instead of 3. Super Doc says he doesn't have a standard to follow for my case because it's been a little unusual.
This leads perfectly into next week's 3 year cancerversary.  
 

I'm home from a emotional day, but a day without pain at least.  The current plan is targeted radiation therapy only. Surgery not being done, no need for chemo at this time. So I guess all in all, it is a very hopeful situation. Keeping focused and as upbeat as I can!  Final staging was set today as 2A due to the size of the mass, not due to any outside new activity on my recent PET scan. Prayers and good thoughts would be wonderfully welcomed! 

Here at the cancer center for radiation simulation. Wondering what to expect. Getting the little tattoos etc. 
Still looking into the approval of proton radiation therapy, but starting with this for mapping today

Hi Lisa
I’m sure you’re totally exhausted.  The treatment plan is coming together and the path forward is becoming more clear. Have faith in God, your treatment team and most importantly yourself.  You’re strong and well positioned to pull through this time.  My prayers are with you!  
Michelle 

Here at the cancer center for radiation simulation. Wondering what to expect. Getting the little tattoos etc. 
Still looking into the approval of proton radiation therapy, but starting with this for mapping today