Forum Discussion

gracieg's avatar
gracieg
Member
4 months ago

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?

chemotherapy

2 Replies

  • Tri's avatar
    Tri
    Member
    4 months ago

    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! 

  • Suki's avatar
    Suki
    Member
    4 months ago

    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.