How soon the chemo should be done after surgery?

summerhappy

Hi Folks, I had my surgery on Oct 1, how come they still not arrange chemo for me yet? It is almost 10 weeks past, need your opinions.

Kicks

Ask your Drs!  The is no one set of 'rules'.  Different Drs chose to do TX sometimes different than others.  Different types of Cancer have different protocols.  My TX plan was dofferent than almost every other IBCer I've 'talked' to.  Most do 2 different chemos neoadjuvant (pre-surgery).  I did 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant followed 2 weeks after last A/C with MX.  3 weeks after surgery I started 12 weekly Taxol followed a week later with 25 rads.

Call your Dr and find out the reason(s) he/she hasn't started you or when they intend to and with which chemo (if you haven't been told).  Not sure as waiting long periods of time was not an option for me but I have read that 'you' need to start chemo within 3 mths of surgery - I'm sure some others will know.  Call/Talk to you Dr for answers that are yours.

dlb823

summerhappy, there is research showing no difference in outcome for women who start chemo 4, 8 or 12 weeks after their last surgery. There is no research beyond 12 weeks. I can find the link for you over the weekend if you need it, but I'm very familiar with it because I had to wait 10 weeks to start chemo due to an open wound, and, like you, I was extremely concerned about the wait.

Have you been told you need chemo? Why are they having you wait? Are you completely healed from your surgery? Did you have an Oncotype-DX test? Deanna

summerhappy

thank you very much.  yeah, I was being told to have my chemo in two or three weeks last week, but since then, no one contacted me.  I keep calling and left message in the voice mail, they said there are too many patients waiting for the chemotherapy, so i got to wait longer...I just worry about the postponed treatment, it is going to be 9 weeks 

dlb823

Hmmm... that seems strange a bit odd. Have you actually met with an oncologist and been told that you will need chemo? Without knowing more about your situation, I guess I would just suggest that you keep calling. Be sure they have you on the waiting list and ask for an update each time you call. Remind them how long you've been waiting.

Are you limited to using the facility that's too busy? Could you possibly call another oncologist, or could they refer you out to another oncology office?

And try not to worry!! Sometimes situations that are the most frustrating turn out to be blessings in disguise. Just don't give up until you get scheduled, assuming you've been told you absolutely need chemo. Deanna

summerhappy

Thank you Deanna.  I just got their call yesterday for the chemo apt which will be in next week, thank you God, finally I got the answer.  Good luck to both of us. Thank you again.

dlb823

Oh, I'm so glad! (Funny how bc makes us happy for something like finally getting chemo scheduled!) Be sure to join the December 2013 chemo group here! Look for it in the Chemotherapy Forum. It's a chance to form friendships and get some great support and advice from others going through it at the same time. (((Hugs))) Deanna

summerhappy

My oncotype was denied due to the 0.6mm cancer in my lymph node. They only do it for the size of 2mm or bigger.  Right now I have done 1st chemo of 4 cycles, then rediation and tomoxfen treatment for 10 years...any recommendations?