Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
User avatar
Jimswife
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:53 am

Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Jimswife » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:57 am

I've asked this on another colon support group and had a mixed response , I've just seen or heard a few odd people say they HAVE cancer even when they have been in remission for quite some time and have had the cancer surgically removed then followed up with chemo etc. I say my husband HAD cancer but had it removed at surgery and is clear now but is following up with chemo as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of it coming back , but I've heard some talking as if they still have it as in present tense rather than past tense even when all tests show they no longer have it , what do all you folks say ??? The ones of you that are in remission and have been for quite some time ????
Victoria , Wife to Jim age 43 dx oct 2011
Stage 3 cc with 2 out of 21 positive lymph nodes
Folfox starts nov 11-may 12
All scans and bloods since surgery confirm no evidence of disease
Hoping to stay ned forever .... Fingers crossed !!!!!!!

esk2poo
Posts: 499
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:17 am
Location: New Jersey

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby esk2poo » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:05 am

For me, when it comes up, I tell people I am battling colon cancer. Must be a wife thing because mine is like you, she always wants to correct me and say you do not have cancer, you had it removed. In my head, there are still cells in there waiting To settle else where and the mop up is hopefully working. My onc always said there is nothing like in star trek yet to find every minuscule cell no matter how good testing is now. When I am 70, I might say I had cancer but right now, well I said it above. Interested in what others have to say.
Good luck and God bless,
Allen
Dx 8/23/11 stage 3b crc
3 of 11 LN's
resection 9/15/11
folfox start 10/31/11 12 sessions
De-ported 6/2012
clear CT 7/2012
Clear colonoscopy 9/2012

User avatar
Jimswife
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:53 am

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Jimswife » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:09 am

Yea will be interesting , in stage 1-3 though how do we know that all cancer wasn't surgically removed and all cancer is gone ? I guess we don't so thats why they do the chemo just incase ? In stages 2-3 .
Victoria , Wife to Jim age 43 dx oct 2011
Stage 3 cc with 2 out of 21 positive lymph nodes
Folfox starts nov 11-may 12
All scans and bloods since surgery confirm no evidence of disease
Hoping to stay ned forever .... Fingers crossed !!!!!!!

User avatar
Bev G
Posts: 5856
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:19 pm
Facebook Username: Bev Golde
Location: Quechee, VT

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Bev G » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:13 am

I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer 26 months ago, and have had no new cancer found since diagnosis. Colon tumor was removed at time of diagnosis, and liver tumor 4 months later. And, you betcha' I say "I have cancer". I never, ever think I've been cured, because statistically that is extremely unlikely. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely, incredibly grateful for the lengthy time I have been NED, but I cannot say I expect it to last forever, because it's just too unlikely that it will.

Best wishes,

Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

User avatar
Jimswife
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:53 am

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Jimswife » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:21 am

Mmm I guess the people like you Bev who have or have had stage 4 think differently as like you say statistically the odds of a cure are low but not impossible or completely unheard of , but 26 months is really good going :)
Victoria , Wife to Jim age 43 dx oct 2011
Stage 3 cc with 2 out of 21 positive lymph nodes
Folfox starts nov 11-may 12
All scans and bloods since surgery confirm no evidence of disease
Hoping to stay ned forever .... Fingers crossed !!!!!!!

User avatar
Guinevere
Posts: 3358
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:19 pm
Location: NE TX

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Guinevere » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:26 am

At the moment, I rightly say I have it since there's still a tumor on my liver but I also saying I'm battling it and that I'm a survivor.
I guess if I'm even in NEDsville, I will say I had cancer. Just not sure at this time how I would phrase it.
Hrt atk - Feb 11
CRC4 DX - Apr 11
APR liver rsct, procto - Jul 11
Folfox/Avastin - Sep 11
Xeliri - Nov 11
Iritux - Jun 12
Break - Jan - Mar 13
Iritux - Mar 13
Stivarga - Aug 13
Folfiri - Oct 13
Exhausted treatment options - May 14

thingy45
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 3:03 pm
Facebook Username: marjan Koevoets
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby thingy45 » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:28 am

Personally I think it is a state of mind. And please understand I don't say that some of us put their heads in the sand.
I have been NED for almost a year now, and I say I HAD cancer in the colon. Meaning, right now it is gone, BUT ofcourse IT can come back anytime.
I amnot taking any meds. Like with everything it is a waiting game. The beast is in the system.My state of mind is I am healthy, Happy and today I am alive.
One day at a time does it for me.

User avatar
BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby BrownBagger » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:34 am

Have it, and probably always will. That was a difficult, personal conclusion to come to, but as Bev and others point out, them's the facts for Stage 4 folks. Might as well be honest about it and get on with living however much life I have left in me.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

jennyjojjr

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby jennyjojjr » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:40 am

I notice people and not the patient, parents, spouses etc, want to say that you had cancer, as if saying had will make it so. I understand the desperation of wanting to believe its gone, but once it involves the nodes the horses have clearly left the barn. So many on here were txed for stage 3 and are experiencing a recurrance. So I say I have been treated for cancer and when asked if its gone, I say I hope so. Because I don't know. None of us do.

User avatar
sandrichelle
Posts: 396
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Albany, NY

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby sandrichelle » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:41 am

Stage IV here..I will say have if there is known cancer, if not I will say had....def just a personal choice thing!
Dx Stage IV CC 02/12-56.1 CEA
Resection/Bye Bye Uterus 02/12
Folfox 03/12-08/12
05/01/12 3 TX CEA-6.5
07/23/12 10 TX CEA-5.0
09/18/12 PET shows 3 suspicious spots CEA -15.5
09/25/12 CEA- 23.8
10/23/12 CEA-51.8 1st of 6 FOLOFIRI
http://www.yeswecansir.com

nicola smith
Posts: 1040
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:06 am

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby nicola smith » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:00 pm

I can't imagine the original question :roll: Is it like "Do you have cancer?" I can't imagine people being crass enough to ask.
UC history
11/09: Dx, CEA 2.9
02/10: colectomy, temp ileo; pT3N1Mx
10/10: 12 Folfox6
03/11: jpouch
2010/11/12/13/14: 6 PET and/or CT's - NED
quarterly 03/2010- 03/2015: CEA range 0.8-1.3
03/2015: discharged to GP :D

User avatar
Jimswife
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:53 am

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Jimswife » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:02 pm

Yes it is the not knowing and the uncertainty so guess its difficult to say one way another , had or have ? Yea I've seen quite. Few on here who have had recurrences , not just stage 3s though , I've seen a few stage 2rs and a couple of stage 1rs so nobodys safe I guess until you reach a ripe old age and die of something completely different .
Victoria , Wife to Jim age 43 dx oct 2011
Stage 3 cc with 2 out of 21 positive lymph nodes
Folfox starts nov 11-may 12
All scans and bloods since surgery confirm no evidence of disease
Hoping to stay ned forever .... Fingers crossed !!!!!!!

User avatar
BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby BrownBagger » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:07 pm

nicola smith wrote:I can't imagine the original question :roll: Is it like "Do you have cancer?" I can't imagine people being crass enough to ask.


Comes up on medical forms, insurance stuff, etc. all the time. I seem to recall hearing somewhere that it's more difficult to secure a mortgage or other loan if you are Stage 4. I haven't tested that yet, but I need to buy a car in the next few months, so we'll see if it comes up. if so, I'm inclined to lie about it. None of their damn business and I don't see how they'd ever find out, unless of course they're following this site.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

NWgirl
Posts: 6659
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:24 am
Facebook Username: Belle Piazza
Location: Battle Ground, Washington

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby NWgirl » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:16 pm

It depends on who I'm talking to and how much energy I feel like expending on the conversation. Some people, I'll go to the trouble and effort of explaining my situation. Others, I gloss over it because I know they don't really want to know (or need to know) for whatever reason. Some people I don't bring it up with at all. Just depends on who I'm talking to and why.

My personal thoughts and belief is that I HAVE cancer. It's there - whether I like it or not. My scan may be clear for the moment, but my CEA is going up. How long will I live with it? No clue. So I'm of the belief that it is there and for as long as I can manage it and live with it, I will. But that's a lot to explain to someone who hasn't really experienced a situation like mine before.
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model

User avatar
Bob Bones
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:32 pm
Facebook Username: markcooper1968@btinternet.com
Location: UK

Re: Do you say you HAD cancer or you HAVE cancer ???

Postby Bob Bones » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:25 pm

I once had Cancer, hope that helps
Sigmoid Tumor 5cm T(3) , 11/23 nodes
Stage IIIC at age 37, Poorly differentiated
Surgery 23/01/06 ( Laparoscopic )
Converted to Formal because of my anatomy!
6 months of Xeloda
NED 10 years (touch wood)
Lynch Syndrome MSH2


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 110 guests