How did you feel when you got the all clear from cancer?

Question

2 weeks ago i finally got the all clear from genetic malignant melanoma after 8 and half years of h**l,and fear.

My oncologist said to me,"right i don't want to see you any more,your going to be fine as far as we can see".

Well,i cannot begin to tell you how delighted and free i felt,and i told everyone i bumped into for days after wards.

It was also very emotional,as i couldn't believe i had made it,and just hope that everyone who has cancer can have this feeling and be told they are o.k too.

Maybe one day soon we may beat this dang disease.after all,how stupid a disease is this?it kills people,hasn't it worked out that if it kills host it dies too?

Have you been given all clear?how did you feel in that moment you were told??

Answer 1

After my mastectomy 18 mo ago, I had the DNA testing for BRACCA at Dana Farber in Boston.  They told me my chances of getting this cancer again was only 1-3%.  Yeah, I was so happy and I cried with elation.  That was 19 mo ago.  Now, I have to have a second mastectomy.  Tumors were found on my mastectomy site because I had a stupid surgeon who left breast tissue that still contained the cancer.  It's now in my other breast.  I know this is different from what you are talking about, but I do know how happy I was and how sad I am now.  I am so happy for you.  God bless you.  Thank God I went to see a new Oncologist.

Answer 2

Like you, elated. I was told by my surgeon he had gotten the whole tumor and cancerous cells that connected my lung to my chest wall. I felt great that it was gone and I only need about 4 visits for chemotherapy just to make sure. Then...I was just told by my oncologist the surgeon did not get it all and some cells were left on my chest wall. Luckily test show my organs to be clean and the lymph nodes checked were negative. I still am set up for the 4 chemo visits and then at least one of radiation.

The cancer is not really a living thing on its own. It is a mutation of your normal cells. They get mutated if something makes a change in the DNA of a cell. Things such as too much sun, different chemicals or drugs such as smoking. Once one cell gets mutated, it will divide just as any other cells would. When it grows into a tumor, and it is detected, you can be treated. The bad thing is by the time it is detected, it is usually too late to do much. If caught early it can be treated. That is why self examinations are so important.