How long after chemo before surgery?

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Hi everyone

I am 1/3 through my chemo (3 x FEC & 3 x Tax), and am wondering how soon after it’s all finished I’m likely to have my surgery?

I’ve been told I need a mastectomy (have IBC), and then Rads, but wondered what the gap mught be between threatment and surgery, as I’d really like to to a break away with the children between the two.

Anyone have any experience?

Thanks, Rebecca

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Hi Rebecca,

I had my mastectomy about 4 weeks after my chemo finished, i think they like to let your immune system recover a little before the operation.

Hope this helps.
Val

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Hi Rebecca

I’m starting my chemo tomorrow ( hope yours has not been too awful?). I have been told that I will have my sugery 4 or 5 weeks after chemo finishes followed by a 6 - 8 week break and then radiotherapy.

Hope you manage to get your break - you’ll certainly deserve it by then !
Sarah
x

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Hi there, I had mine 6 weeks after 4 FEC and 4 Tax… Best Wishes!

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Hi Rebecca,

Aother IBC girl here!

I had 4 x FEC followed by 6 X Tax and was then referred back to surgeons by my onc (who then went on hols!)

Due to breast skin still being quite thick surgeons took advice from another (old school) onc and refused to operate!

(I did end up having my mast 4 months later).

Usually if the chemo has done it’s job you’ll be referred back to surgeons and op will take place in 4 - 6 weeks.

Good Luck,
Jackie xx

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Hi Rebecca
I have finished 4 FEC - and 1 Taxol. I have another 3 taxol to do and I asked the consultant how long after the last chemo would I have surgery and he told me 3 weeks - the same time as between chemos so I am planning for the last week May if none of my chemo slips due to low cell count. I too have IBC and also would love a break away but I am assuming now it will have to wait. I get the impression with IBC they do not want to wait too long after the chemo has stopped. I am hoping maybe I can have my break between the op and the rads unless you know different!
Penn1 xx

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Hi Rebecca

I’ve had 4 x EC and 4 x Taxotere. My surgery was 3 weeks after last Tax, which I think was 1 week earlier than I had been told because my surgeon went on holiday over Easter. I’m told that radiotherapy could start 4 weeks after surgery, which seems very quick to me. However I’m now 10 days after a mastectomy and do not need any pain killers and have good movement, so maybe I’ll be fine.

Always ask your team if you can go away and delay one part of your treatment.

In my case we went away at February half-term which was good timing for us - and the sun shone!

take care
Pauline

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Thanks for all your lovely adfvice

Looking at those timescales I’ll be having my surgery before my holiday, and then coming back for my Rads.

I don’t mind which way around it happens, so long as we get away with the children for a few days, as it’ll give us some sense of normaility

Rebecca