Write off 6 to 12 months?

LP020406​ I'm sorry for your diagnosis.

Understanding timeframes is tricky because there are probably some unknowns and decisions to be made at the stage that you're at. 

Has the surgeon provided any expectations of steps post-surgery? e.g. radiation and then endocrine therapy? And have they mentioned the grade of your tumor? e.g. grade 1 is slow growing

I was 46 when diagnosed early Sep 2025. I had two surgeries and radiation which finished early Feb 2026. That active treatment would have been wrapped up quicker if I hadn't needed a second surgery, and if we hadn't then ended up in the Christmas/New Year's time in a regional area and had to wait to start radiation mid-January. 

I continued working part-time through-out except one week off after the first surgery, and two weeks off after the second surgery. The radiation tired me the most but I worked through the treatment and slept extra on my days off.

I'd like to think that they will help time things around your important events that are unmoveable. 

You could also ask the surgeon how long they think your recovery would be after the surgery, and then how long you might wait to do the next step.

Hi LP020406​ 

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

It is absolutely possible to work around things and your team will do their best to make that happen.  Just keep reminding them of what you have coming up.

We had already booked an overseas holiday when I was diagnosed with HR+ HER2+ invasive breast cancer.  I completed neoadjuvant chemo and surgery, then had a second surgery for an infection before our trip.  I also had to continue with a targeted therapy and start hormone therapy around the travel time.

Both my oncologist and surgeon told me not to cancel the trip and that they would do their best to make it happen.  The second surgery (for the infection) cut it fine timing wise, but we made it! 

My oncologist rearranged my targeted therapy appointments around the travel and my surgeon made sure I had appropriate (overseas legal) medications for my travel destination and advised me on what to do if my health declined overseas.  I also didn't start hormone therapy until I returned to Australia.

Everything turned out well and I really enjoyed the trip.

All the best xx

Hi LP020406​, I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and what you are going through right now. While it can be easy to focus on your upcoming family plans with a scary kind of uncertainty, you might find some of this anxiety ease once you receive more information from your healthcare team about a plan going forward. Click here to view our list of recommended questions to ask your healthcare team when you are newly diagnosed, I hope this helps pave a clearer way forward and you have many exciting family days ahead :)

I'm newly diagnosed and have 3 important events in the next 4 months.  I was thinking I would just have to write them off.  However after reading the thread I know what questions to ask!  I have my first specialist appointment next week and now I feel a little more enlightened.  Thanks

I was diagnosed just before Christmas - not a problem, we don’t do the 40 people event, but just before my biggest event (event organiser) of the year! We worked around it! As you haven’t got details of treatment and as it’s hard to know ahead of time how you will react, it’s a plan A and B scenario. Your surgeon can answer some questions but others will require an oncologist.

Sons will graduate and you will do what you can. Weddings and anniversaries are likely to go ahead too. But a road trip, however desired, might be put in the maybe later category. It may end up being a great end of treatment celebration, but if you don’t need to commit to it now, it might be in the tbc category - only as to timing. 

Things to ask include optimum timing for treatment  - how soon, how long, what order. I found a list of possible treatment side effects useful for reference, but remember you won’t get them all and might get almost none. What treatments require hospital, or day oncology, what will be pills you can take anywhere? 

It will take some time to get all the information you want, so be as patient as possible. You are on the road to recovery , that’s the main thing. Best wishes.