Objective remission
I hadn't thought that I would hear the word "remission" today. I especially didn't think it would be uttered by Dr. Glick, master of the understatement and so careful to choose the correct words. But after feeling my liver for awhile, still detecting the edge but finding it still smaller than last week, he did indeed declare that I am in "objective remission." I guess what that means is that all these pieces of information put together -- the shrinking liver, the decreased tumor markers, the absence of pain -- show what a CT scan will only confirm: the cancer is going away. And what this means, he said, is a better prognosis for survival.
So this was a happy trip to the oncologist, and the chemo went in easy.
Now I can get ready to watch this TLC program - have you heard of it? - "Crazy Sexy Cancer." I have to admit I am turned off by the title. Please don't make my disease something that is sexy and cool, because it's not. Sure, you can put a positive spin on it, like what we do with LympheDIVAs, but it's the faux edginess and that gum-chewing redhead who is the postergirl for living wtih cancer that kind of irk me. But, I will keep an open mind. It might be a damn good documentary. Maybe I'm just jealous; if I had started videotaping my "cancer adventure" two years ago, I think I'd have ended up with an Oscar winner. Anyway, this one airs tomorrow night at 9 on TLC. I'll write a review, and I will be objective. Objective, just like my remission.
So this was a happy trip to the oncologist, and the chemo went in easy.
Now I can get ready to watch this TLC program - have you heard of it? - "Crazy Sexy Cancer." I have to admit I am turned off by the title. Please don't make my disease something that is sexy and cool, because it's not. Sure, you can put a positive spin on it, like what we do with LympheDIVAs, but it's the faux edginess and that gum-chewing redhead who is the postergirl for living wtih cancer that kind of irk me. But, I will keep an open mind. It might be a damn good documentary. Maybe I'm just jealous; if I had started videotaping my "cancer adventure" two years ago, I think I'd have ended up with an Oscar winner. Anyway, this one airs tomorrow night at 9 on TLC. I'll write a review, and I will be objective. Objective, just like my remission.
posted by Rachel Troxell at 5:46 PM
4 Comments:
congrats congrat and happy birthday. sorry to miss the party. but always keeping tabs via your remarkable keyboard contributions to bigger society. a real test and testiment to be certain.
Remission is one of those words that has both negative and positive connotations -- for those in the non-cancer world it sounds like a negative word for the unfortunate cancer patient and for those of us in the cancer world it has a beatiful way of sounding something like -- "my life is mine again". You've taken back your life and you are in first place...with cancer trailing further and further behind. rock on remission-diva.
Wow, Rachel - a word of gold from Dr. Glick's mouth! You are truly a wonder!
Now Jerry and I can really wish you (and Jason, of course) a happy, HEALTHY, and sweet New Year.
Love,
Connie
Rachel,
what great news. I've said it before and I'll say it agian (and again)...the positive power of prayer in mumbers combined with your enduring strength and courage have been working together for awhile now. Evidently, we've ALL finally gotten the right mixture down of love and drugs!!! You go girl, and go and go and go!!!!!
Love,
Barb
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