I am waiting for my chemo date, but I see that there are national waiting time standards, and the hospital I am being treated at has stated that it adheres to those times. My question is if so why does my treatment not conform to those times, nor do I think many others? I am currently 29 days post surgery, and I think I will start chemo in the next few weeks, the national waiting time states a maximum of 31 days from surgery to chemo (unless I have got it all wrong).
I think I am looking at this as I hate not knowing when it is going to start.
Thanks
Ali
I had my mx without recon and was told it would be 4-6 weeks before I could start chemo as they want to give me time to heal. It was one of the reasons I chose not to have recon cos this would have meant waiting longer (8-10 wks). I know there is a guideline 31 days from dx to treatment starting (be that surgery or chemo first) but not sure of any others.
Talk to your BCN and ask her how long it might be. Waiting is the hardest part of all this but not knowing how long you have to wait is worse.
They’re guidlines and are used as just that, guides.
I waited 6 weeks from dx to chemo, and my rads will start later due to a small problem. Gloucestersire’s gl’s are 31 days.
I had 54 days between surgery and the start of chemo due to a couple of setbacks - an infected seroma, then concern over the results of blood tests which meant that I had to have a set of scans before chemo could start. My oncologist said that there would be no adverse effect from the delay in starting chemo. There have been lots of others on the forum who have also had delays either by choice or due to circumstances, but generally if you have recovered well from surgery it will be 5-6 weeks.
I had just under four weeks between lumpectomy and start of chemo. Was very impressed with speed of everything in my area. Only had to wait two weeks from going into GP till breast clinic appointment. They did mammogram, ultrasound and core biopsy within two hours and I got my results and operation date two days later.
I always really feel for the ladies who post on here who are kept waiting for ages at every stage. I’m sure these delays don’t have any great clinical effect but they must certainly test mental resources!