I've heard Thriver for those in treatment, and Survivor for those having completed treatment. I think anything you want to use- works!!
NED and stable might work- but for social interactions, I try to use something that sounds less clinical!
When people would ask me if I had finished treatment yet (HER2+ has a year of infusions or infusions and injections) so LONG! I would just respond- still in warrior mode- and hope to finish up around...!
When people would ask if I would lose my hair, I told them my hair was expecting to leave on vacation after my second treatment, and start coming home a few months after chemo ended. I found as long as I sounded positive, people were more comfortable discussing or asking questions. And if you are not in the mood for that, it is easy to switch the topic! Hugs!
I know a lot of people don’t use the word survivor too much anymore and say NED ‘No evidence of disease’ which means at that time mammograms are clear, labs are good and scans don’t show any new activity
So when you are told you are cancer free and all your labs are good but you are still on letrozole for 5 years. You are considered a cancer survivor
With recurrence happening within a short time and sometimes not for a decade or more later and sometimes never avoids the ‘ But I thought you were cured’ .,With yearly mammograms coming out clear, labs and other scans good the term NED makes sense . Year after year of NED will confirm your body is still cancer free . Many doctors don’t even use the term remission anymore . Stable is another term that used
Thanks Barbara nice to see you here. Friends have been asking me I responded that my bc is sleeping.lol I always thought if you done with all your treatments you have no trace of the bc that will makes us a survivor . I have never heard of NED. Thanks