Since hearing the words "you're in remission," I've been in somewhat of a state of shock--a happy shock---but still shock. I've gone from preparing myself that I might never hear those words, to disbelief, and then to joy and the desire to share my good news with anyone I can. Most people have taken a part in my joy, having also hoped and prayed for this news. Others, like a cashier from a few weeks ago, are a bit confused:
cashier: "How are you doing today?"
me: "Amazing. I just found out I'm in remission for cancer."
cashier: "Oh, I'm so sorry! Cancer is terrible."
me: "No. Remission is a GOOD thing. It means my cancer is gone!"
cashier: "OOOOOOOOO-H. I was wondering why you were smiling!"
Having a background in science and now a personal experience with remission, it was fascinating that someone wouldn't know the meaning of that word. Remission is a good word. The only better thing than never being diagnosed with cancer is to reach and remain in remission, which is a respite, a decrease in the seriousness or intensity of disease; a temporary recovery. Remission is the best result for a cancer patient. Interestingly, because the scientific aspect of remission was not new to me, I missed a poignant correlation which could help anyone remember the good news of remission.
A friend reminded me of another common use of the word: remission of sins, which is also a good thing. It's actually the "good news" of this earthly life. Each of us can receive a remission----a forgiveness, pardoning, or absolution---of our sins. We all sin every day, but there is hope as we seek remission of sins through Christ. When we receive and retain the gift of remission, our sins are remembered no more. (see Hebrews 8:12 and 10:14-18)
Remission in the world of cancer is achieved with the help of an experienced physician and usually after at least one (and often several) kind of treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. There is pain, inconvenience, suffering, and healing time involved, as well as the faith it takes to keep up with follow-ups and hope that cancer doesn't return. Every few months, there is a check in through scans to confirm that cancer is still in remission. Remission doesn't mean the work of surviving is over.
The parallels are easy to see.
A remission of sins is made possible by one who has experienced all and through a process of several steps. First, comes faith, repentance, and baptism. Then, comes the remission of sins by fire and the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 31:17) and enduring to the end. Wilford W. Andersen said, "a mighty change of heart is not something we experience only once. Rather, it is a process we repeat over and over throughout our mortal lives, and thus our light grows “brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24)." ("Receiving and Retaining and Mighty Change," Ensign, 2012). We must renew our covenants and repent often to retain the remission of sins in our lives. Enduring to the end takes work.
No one wishes for cancer to cross their path, but if it ever does, the next step is to reach remission. Sadly, some cancer patients never make this goal, and remaining in remission after treatment is not a guarantee. All the faith, prayers, or money poured into modern medicine can't always heal cancer. Sometimes even the strongest survivors are forced to end their earthly battles. Cancer remission has no guarantee of lasting, but I need not fear. My doctor has great hope in my case for staying in remission because of my great response to treatment. Only time will tell, but there is a greater remission I am seeking to retain in the meantime, one that will never fail and one that will heal my soul and continue into everlasting life.
