To the Ones in Remission
Letters to my patients, day 9
You did it!
Months of treatments, side effects, scans, surgery — you made it to the other side. When the oncologist says you are officially in remission, you heart skips a beat and then feels like it lurches to a complete stop. Wait, I don’t know if I am excited or scared.
It is okay if the word remission makes you nervous. Or, it may not be the thought of remission but rather the idea that you will be off treatment. You had come to rely on medications that were proven to kill the cancer — will it suddenly grow back now that those will not be infusing into your body every 3 weeks?
Questions flood into your mind and you fire them off as quickly as possible.
How do we know the cancer is not coming back? Surveillance scans, visits every few months, labs, monitoring symptoms.
I am still having brain fog, trouble concentrating, neuropathy, dizziness… Yes, those may take awhile to improve. Let’s talk about things we can do moving forward.
I am so still tired. The chemo wiped out your red blood cells, you are still anemic. We will keep a close eye on labs for the next month to make sure that is improving.
What if … it comes back? Then we have options, there are other treatments. We will cross that bridge when we come to it, IF we come to it.
Yet again, you enter unknown territory on this journey.
But before you blaze your way into the world of survivorship and surveillance, take today to bask in this milestone. You finished treatment. No matter what comes, since none of us can predict that with 100% certainty despite the studies and statistics, today is a celebration.
Ring the chemo bell. Hug the nurses who were there beside you every treatment. Go out for ice cream on your way home.
Today is a good day.
When you start to worry about the unknowns of remission, take what you need:
I did a hard thing, many hard things, and I am happy that is over.
My care team is still here for me, taking care of me.
If things change, no matter how quickly, there are options. I will take it one step at a time.
I am still healing and will take the rest my body needs.
Everyone’s future is uncertain — I will choose to celebrate the daily joys.
Thank you for being here,
Survivorship resources
NCI booklet Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
This is part of a 31-day series of letters to my patients — those undergoing a work-up, diagnosis, or treatment for cancer. Topics are also focused on those caregiving and supporting individuals affected by cancer. This is not an easy journey, but you do not have to do it alone.
This is not intended to be medical advice — please consult your healthcare team for individual medical expertise.
Let me know what topics you hope to see this month! I have many of the days filled, but not all of them. I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or questions.