anniversary dates???

[PinkGirl]

What date do you start counting from - the date of diagnosis
or the date you finish your treatments? I don't know why, but
I have a hard time thinking of myself as a "survivor". I'm not able to say that I "had" cancer; I still say I "have" it. I could really relate to all
the posts about having trouble making plans for the future. I think it
might be because I was told my cancer is very aggressive and when the
tests came back node negative and I was happy about it, my surgeon
reminded me that it was "still very aggressive". I got the feeling she didn't want me to get my hopes up. Anyway, I really enjoy this site. It is very helpful.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Pinkgirl,

Everyone is different on this one (I think). I choose to go by the date of diagnosis, just because I want too. The time is quicker that wayhttp://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif I was diagnosed in June of 05 but didn't have surgery until the end of July 05. So, whatever..........it really doesn't matter. You're here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're a survivor.http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif

Mary Jo

[Becky]

Your survival date is the date of your surgery regardless of when you had surgery. For example, some have to have surgery after chemo.

It is definitely your surgery date.

[cafe1084]

Pink girl,

My 1 year out from date of diagnosis is tomorrow, August 14th and it brings back alot of feelings I'd rather not relive. I like to look at my surgery date as the date when I first took action against the cancer, so at least for me personally, date of surgery is when I'll count from. I have read that most professionals see your date of surgery as your "anniversary" date and I guess this is because that is when the cancer is "activated" and has the best chance at metastasis. I may be wrong, but if I am, somebody please correct me. I'd like to know.

We just have to look to the future. If we don't have a future with those people and things we cherish, what would be the point of fighting this disease so hard? Live like today is your last!! ;)

Steph C.

[Mary Jo]

OH well, Pinkgirl..........I guess I was wrong. Look's like you go from the date of surgery. So, instead of it being 2 years for me June 24 it was July 28th. Whatever............I'm alive............I'm a survivor.

Glad it was cleared up for you.

Mary Jo

[dhealey]

I was always told you became a survivor the day you had surgery. Like you Pinkgirl I don't feel like a survivor as I am still taking herceptin treatments and feel like the cancer is always lurking somewhere. So I think of myself more as a thriver.
Debbie in North Carolina