SO sorry to see you join our select little group, @kirstiekoala ....
I hope that you do get to see your Oncologist at least as many patients have chemo before and after surgery - as The idea behind
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is to attack not only the cancer cells in the primary tumor but also to destroy any cells that may be circulating in the rest of the body. It makes sense to do this first then remove the primary tumor, which will now be much reduced in size. Often the tumour/s are also reduced in size, making it easier to get good clear margins too.
Most medical professionals have at least a 3 week break from the end of this week til mid January .... and hospitals try & get as many patients 'home for Xmas', so they can just operate over Xmas/New Year with skeleton staff ... it is a mongrel of a time to be diagnosed xx
My own diagnosis finally came thru in early Jan (the lump was found the previous Oct!!!) I ended up having a biopsy in between Xmas & New Year .... then I was lucky to get my surgeon's appt on his first day back at work in mid Jan ..... Sentinel Node test the next day & surgery the day after. Once it 'starts' .... it usually 'flows quite quickly' ... but the waiting just SUCKS BIGTIME! :(
Feel free to check this thread out too, with lots of info on the forum in 'other areas' & suggestions on what to take to hospital with you and even 'tick sheets' as to how you are feeling mentally & physically as you go thru this shitfest xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
Whack up any questions that you have & we'll do our best to answer them - as we've 'been there, done that' xx
take care & all the best
