Semantics

I was struck by this note in David Rieff's memoir:

... measuring the onrush (or, as physicians so curiously put it, "progress") of the disease...

Yes. Encroaching cancer is not progress. When I was first beginning all of this and still had no idea what I was in for, I finished two rounds of toxic chemo and had my scans. When Dr. S's fellow told me there was "progression," my heart leaped with excitement. I heard only "progress"; progress is good, right? Then, mortified, she clarified: My lymph nodes were still growing.

Some Rieff links and quick thoughts from me are here.