Forum Discussion
Is there a window period that chemo should start?
I was recently diagnosed with IDC - had lumpectomy and 2 sentinel nodes removed in first surgery on 17th June, in one section of the margin they found DIS right to the edge so needed 2nd surgery 2 weeks later which was all clear thankfully. Was due to start chemo 2 weeks after that however developed post surgery infection and was in hospital for 4 days, chemo has been delayed another 3 weeks so its been quite a while since my first surgery. I'm concerened about the delay, has this happened to anyone else?
2 Replies
HiGracie I am sorry to hear about the diagnosis and your post surgery complications. LikeSuki I had my diagnosis before surgery and in the summer break and with many specialists and technicians away, it was 7 weeks between finding a lump and getting onto my first chemo.
I recommend taking the time to recover and to restore your energy as much as you can before chemo. I caught Covid during a break between treatments and although I recovered I think it knocked me about a bit and slowed how much I bounced back between doses.All the best to you, sending positive energy your way!
Hi gracieg
I did neoadjuvant chemo (before surgery). My diagnosis was 9 December and I then had testing (clip insertion, PET, dentist), appointment with my surgeon, review at MDT, then referral to oncologist - as it had been decided I needed chemo before surgery.
Then it was Christmas and most (onc, surgeon, BC nurse, radiology staff) were on leave. After Christmas I had an MRI and heart check and finally started chemo on 29 December.
It was a very stressful time and I remember thinking that this cancer was growing while I was waiting to start (I had grade 2-3 Triple Positive IDC). I spoke to my BC nurse about the stress and she listened/helped, so I recommend that if you have a BC nurse.
In the end I had a complete response to the chemo and no cancer at surgery, so the wait did not seem to affect my prognosis.
