When do you start counting?
 

O.K., I have a crazy question. Forgive my ignorance. I recently finished my chemo and am waiting to start rads and I was wondering... when exactly do you begin to count- 1 year out, 2 years out, etc. Is it from the time of surgery, the completion of chemo, the completion of chemo and rads......

Thanks!
Kelly

Kelly

Everyone is different and it's up to you really.
I believe the day we are diagnosed we begin to
survive cancer and count from there for myself
but I think Dr's count from the time chemo starts.
Tricia

mine counted from the date of surgery.

Surgery is when you start to count regardless if you had chemo first.

Kind reards

Becky

Yup me too....after I had surgery. 10-27-06 was my one year cancer free.

Bobbi

Guess, in that case I am no years out because I have only been NED a few short times. I count mine from diagnose as my surgery was later then most. I don't think it matters as long as we are still here!! I like to include as much time as I can seems how I was given a death sentence. Certainly,not a stupid question. Just my opinion for what its worth. hugs, Sandy

Both my oncologist and my surgeon start to "count" from the surgery date...for me that is when the cancer was 'removed' and the sentinel nodes came back negative. So, now that I think about it...I am 17 months 'out'!!! and one month 'out' since my last herceptin treatment.

I had my every 6 month mammogram on my affected breast day before yesterday-NED!! and they said I would have both breasts done in April (last surgery was 4/25/05). And that would be my 2 year anniversary. And then they would start doing bilateral mammograms yearly. So I guess for me I am 1 1/2 years out!
I feel great!
Marlys

My onc counts from completion of treatment, chemo and rads.

So I am 5 1/2 years out.

elena

I don't know what the standard is but I started counting at the end of treatment which was after rads in jan 06 ( I dont count herceptin)

Alice