Am I In Remission?

It seems apt that in the first day of breast cancer awareness month I’m writing this blog in the waiting room of my local cancer centre. It’s my regular three-weekly appointment to have treatment which will carry on until the end of the year. It’s a good time to take stock and think about whether I’m in remission and what it even means!

It’s a question I’m asked frequently, whether I’m in remission or have been given the all clear. I struggle to answer because although it seems to be something that other cancer patients are told, those phrases have so far eluded me.

My oncologists’ attitude is that surgery is the ‘cure’ and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy just mop up any stray cells that could be hanging around. Further treatments like Tamoxifen are targeted at the specific hormones or receptors which could turn into cancer, to suppress them and stop them growing into anything bad.

What does ‘in remission’ mean?

The definition of ‘remission’ is that all signs of cancer are gone, so in that sense then I am in remission, but I just don’t have a badge from my specialist to prove it!

Be vigilant always!
It would make this post worthwhile if all of my readers took a moment to check themselves, not only their breasts but if you’re a boy then check your balls too. If there’s anything unusual going on GET IT CHECKED OUT! It’s most likely nothing serious but if it is and it’s caught early then you’ve got a better chance of a successful outcome. Thank you!

When I asked my doctor if I would be having regular scans to check I’m OK she said no, that there was no evidence that regular scanning would show up anything which wouldn’t have been found by the patient anyway. Scans are risky in themselves if you have too many, so the risks outweigh the benefits. So it’s a case of being self aware, reporting any symptoms and rather than getting an ‘all clear’ it’s more like a ‘no news is good news’!

I’m having one of my Herceptin injections today and will be doing this for the rest of the year. Herceptin is a targeted drug which works on the specific HER2 cancer cells which were found in my tumour when it was removed. It’s supposed to stop more of these pesky cells growing and forming new areas of disease and is a very effective treatment. It does have side effects, like every treatment I’ve had so far – but they all seem to blur into each other so I never know what the cause is when I’m feeling achy or fatigued. Muscle pain, insomnia, tiredness – yes I’ve had them all year, but they are also side effects of the chemo I had, and the Tamoxifen tablets I need to take for the foreseeable future. It’s a price worth paying though, but just don’t expect me to be ripping up the dancefloor at an allnighter any time soon. I’ll be more likely tucked up in bed by 10pm, if I haven’t snoozed on the sofa all evening!

Although I’m still in the treatment phase, it does feel quite low key which is good. As well as Herceptin I have a heart scan every 3 months as another side effect is potential heart problems, but so far mine is as strong as an ox! I have regular blood tests but am not due to see my oncologist until early next year and the fact that she doesn’t want to see me until then is a good sign I reckon.

I will be having annual mammograms for 5 years which should be reassuring but isn’t to me as I’ve got dense breast tissue which is why the original lump wasn’t picked up until it was the size of a Ferrero Rocher. So it’s more important than ever that I check my remaining boob and am aware of any other suspicious symptoms.

Getting On With Life

I feel extremely lucky to have come through the past year and be back doing the things I love. Going on scooter rallies, seeing bands, spending time with my family and friends and planning big holiday adventures. Many people don’t come out the other side, so I’m grateful I have. I will just keep everything crossed that my luck holds out and I get to do the fun stuff for many more years to come!

HAVE YOU GOT LIFE OR CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE?
If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to sort it out. Unfortunately I didn’t have critical illness cover which would have given me a handy payout and taken the pressure off, financially. I do have good life insurance cover though as I think it’s vital to protect my family if the worst were to happen. You can always speak to the really helpful people at LifeSearch, the UK’s biggest life and protection insurance broker, and loved by Martin ‘MoneySavingExpert’ Lewis. Use this link to get in touch with them and they’ll help guide you through the process – and will also know that you’re from the Diary Of A Detour website.

Read More

Read more about my cancer journey :
– My cancer diagnosis
– My first breast cancer surgery
– What happens at a chemo session?
– My chemo half time analysis
– My chemo side effects
– Making a breast cast
– My mastectomy
– My radiotherapy treatment
– 10 Ways to help someone with cancer
– Am I in remission?
– What is Scar Work?
– My breast reconstruction surgery
– Find travel insurance after cancer