@CathyMac Nov-Dec diagnosis is lousy timing; it was my lot the previous year. I agree absolutely about the squeaky wheel effect. I call it self-advocacy and you may need to do a lot of it as you go forward. Many health professionals are just going through their processes and often don't see our needs from our point of view. We need to articulate our needs very clearly - in writing as well as by phone.
My surgery was 15 Feb 2018 and I started chemo 19 March 2018. But I'd already had my initial consultation with the wonderful medical oncologist on 28 Dec (because the surgeon had wanted me to have chemo before surgery; in discussion with the oncologist, I opted to have it after). That allowed for a second appointment with the oncol to be made for just after surgery, and the date to be set for chemo start.