Hi folks, I’m just wondering if anyone has any insights as to risks surrounding voluntarily delaying chemo? My 2nd EC (6th chemo) is due 24th December and when I mentioned the potential of delaying to my oncologist she said she’d “really rather I didn’t”. So I thought f**k it let’s just get it done. But 5 x days after my first EC I’m really not feeling great & the thought of ruining everyone’s Christmas for it is tough. Is there any guidance anyone has seen anywhere towards risk from delaying chemo treatments like this voluntarily? I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t!
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Hi,
I was informed by my oncologist, prior to commencing chemotherapy that there was evidence that delaying chemotherapy or reducing dose can have a negative effect. However many of us have had to reduce dose or delay chemo for clinical reasons. It is your choice and I know chemo is hard, but Xmas is one day you will have many more Xmas’s in the future. Obviously I respect whatever decision you make.
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You are having chemotherapy to help your body sort out the cancer cells.
Your friends family and relatives know this too. There is absolutely no way you would ‘ruin anything for anyone’ by having chemo as planned. Your family and friends will fully understand this. It’s your health that comes totally first.
Could you have an early if late Christmas around your treatment?
Hope you recover from your next session soon.
A big hug
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If you were due to have it on 25th I’m sure they’d have no issues delaying, so I’m not sure what the difference is. I’m due to have my next one on 19th and if my LFTs are off it could be a two week delay as they’re shut on 26th 
Also, I’m sure your family and friends will understand and you’ll not “ruin” anything for them. They’ll want you to be well in the long-term and Christmas day is just one day. Even if you do get it on 24th you might feel fine on 25th. I always felt fine the next day with my EC. The fatigue etc usually hit on day 3.
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Slightly different circumstances, but one of my ECs was delayed by a week due to liver function results and no one said anything about it being an increased risk or anything. Agree with the others though - I’m sure no one will think you are ruining anything if you choose to go ahead 
(also my final chemo was due Boxing Day and they’ve put that back a week 
)
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Not what you want to hear but i wouldnt delay it. I ended up having 15 rounds of chemo with 9 kadcyla. Things pop up like illness, low bloods, liver a bit off etc. Which will naturally delay treatment. Adding on ‘voluntary delays’ will just lengthen your journey.
I found on EC that it was day 2 i started feeling rubbish so you might be lucky & manage some of Christmas Day.
Im sure everyone around you will understand & look after you & noone will think you have ruined Christmas. Theyll just be grateful that youre here.
Good luck & i hope you get some time to relax over Christmas movies x
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I am delaying my weekly paclitaxel for 1 week, it’s due on the 24th December. My oncologist was very supportive of it and did not highlight any risks.
For me, it’s because my dad passed away over last Christmas so I wanted to pause treatment so we as a family could focus on that and creating new memories not my chemo.
It may differ of course with different regimes but as others have said, there are lots of people who have had delays due to bloods not being permissible.
I think whatever gets us to the end is important, including having some respite over Christmas if needed. I hope you get to make the right decision for you.
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