Forum Discussion

StrongCoffee's avatar
StrongCoffee
Member
5 years ago

How long from being told you need Chemo to starting treatment?

Hi, I'm still in 'the waiting place' and trying to give myself some idea of what may be ahead.

I'm waiting on EndoPredict results to help determine if I will have Chemo. It appears that my onc appointment at the hospital has been pushed back from today to Friday (not sure, they just send me texts, I've called a few times since late last week to discuss and they haven't called back).

I'm due to go back to work (primary teacher, grade 2) next Monday - 6 weeks after my mastectomy/reconstruction.

If I got my results today as expected, it's enough time to make plans with work. I've given my boss the heads up that I may need chemo/more time off. However, I can't wait until Friday night to tell her that I can't come in Monday as planned. We would want the teacher who has been in there the past 6 weeks to continue, so would need to book her in.

My question:
I'm sure this will vary a lot public private etc. but how long was it between being told you need to have chemo and starting that treatment?

It would be TC every 21 days x4 at public hospital (Maroondah).

18 Replies

Show More
  • Mazbeth's avatar
    Mazbeth
    Member
    5 years ago
    I did chemo first - diagnosed 19 December 2019 and started chemo 2 January 2020 - less than 2 weeks later in the private system. I was lucky that my specialists did not take time off over Christmas. I didn’t have the test done as I think it has only recently become more widely recommended. I think you have done the right thing having another week off. Chemo is a very individual thing in terms of how you react. You will work out which days are not so great for you IF you do have any of them. I am a teacher too and I had the 4 you might have as well as 12 more, so I took leave. Thankfully I did pretty well during chemo. I was lucky as I had enough leave to have 3 terms off - I had a BMX too.  You are doing the right thing and just taking it a week at a time. Don’t forget though, your health is now the priority, it’s time to put your needs first. Take care x
  • StrongCoffee's avatar
    StrongCoffee
    Member
    5 years ago
    I got confirmation that my appointment has been pushed back to Friday as the results aren't back yet.

    Decided to take another week off work. My boss was fine with that and the teacher who has already been filling in is available. I'd possibly be ok back next week but would be so sore and tired by the end of each day, a bit more rest won't hurt.

    That way if I do find out I need chemo then I should have some time to get things sorted first. The onc said they try to do it on Fridays for people who work.

    Not even crossing the whole 'can I work through chemo' bridge until I know if I'm having it or not!
  • noosa_blue150's avatar
    noosa_blue150
    Member
    5 years ago
    Do you have a breast care nurse allocated ,to,you ? ( there’s usually one or two in public hospitals, their role to be liaison between surgeons/oncologists/radiation drs and other health team members). If there is one I’d ringing and asking them that question re when will chemo start ; is this Friday’s appointment with oncologist to go firm with chemo regime OR are they starting chemo ; and  do  you want /need a Portacath . Lack of Portacath shouldn’t  hold up chemo , they’ll proceed without it until it’s inserted if required. 
    If there’s no breast care nurse I’d be contacting the hospital and ask about the onc appt for Friday -is it only with oncologist or is it with onc dept/ward for chemo. 
  • Keeping_positiv's avatar
    Keeping_positiv
    Member
    5 years ago
    I was very disappointed in the timeframe from diagnosis until my bilateral lumpectomy, being 2 months a one day.  Then a further 6 weeks to start chemo.  I am sure part of the problem was I was in the public system and at a very busy oncology department in Melbourne, being ONJ cancer clinic in Heidelberg.  I am sure that is not going to be your experience, so I hope I do not sound too negative about our public hospital system, particularly at ONJ in Melbourne. .

    I wish you the best, and I am sure you will not experience what I experienced, despite I was Stage 3, I am sure it has left me trying to keep positive, as my name suggests.  Are you a private or public patient ? It makes a difference!  


  • MicheleR's avatar
    MicheleR
    Member
    5 years ago
    I was told they like you to have 5 or six weeks after surgery to ensure you are healing well and not likely to get infection. But if you are having testing it may be a little longer?

    Even if they set a timeline they will probably want to check scar to see if its healed enough to start.
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    5 years ago
    I had my second surgery on 8 January and I think my surgeon told me a few days later that I would be having chemo (hard to remember).  I had the initial appointment to discuss chemo around about 20-something January and my first chemo treatment on 5 February.  However I know that other people have different times.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    @StrongCoffee

    I am not sure there’s a ‘common’ time - it depends. As you’ve had surgery, chemo might start soon, assuming it’s recommended and you decide to go ahead. You may need to consider extending the current arrangement just to give yourself time to get the results and determine your next steps. Can you discuss this with your boss? 
    Best wishes. 
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    5 years ago
    Once the results of my biopsy came back things moved very quickly for me. Whilst awaiting those results, I'd had a head, chest and abdomen CT scan as well as a bone scan, to check for further spread. This was about a week from taking the biopsy until the result. Then I was told I would be having chemo and was booked in to have a port put in and that was three days later. The same afternoon that the port was put in, I started my chemo. So all up, from the taking of the biopsy till start of chemo, ten days.