How long to start Chemo? Any advice from someone who has been there?

mdm2
mdm2 Member Posts: 17
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I was hoping for a little advice from you guys. I was diagnosed with stage 4 small bowel adenocarcinoma on the 1st of December when I had a tumor removed from my illeum and and bowel resection.. The oncologist at the hosptil where I was diagnosed wants me to start chemo as soon as possible which would be Dec 18th. I can't get into MD Anderson before Jan. 13th for my second opinion plus Anderson doesn't want me to start treatment till 4 to 6 weeks after my surgery so they know I am completely healed. Any advice on what I should do? Is my local oncologist starting to early? Can I afford to wait till the 13th of January? Thanks for the advice. I am new here.

Comments

  • TxKayaker
    TxKayaker Member Posts: 176
    #2
    Three weeks after sugery I

    Three weeks after sugery I started chemo. I would listen to the MD Anderson folks.

     

  • LindaK.
    LindaK. Member Posts: 506 Member
    #3
    4-6 weeks

    is what my husband was told.  He had surgery on 12/14 and started chemo at the end of January.  He didn't even see an oncologist until 3 weeks after surgery.  I remember him saying something about the ideal time to start chemo was 30-60 days after surgery.  There may be chemo options you will have to think about.  Good luck

  • mdm2
    mdm2 Member Posts: 17
    #4
    Thanks for the advise. The MD

    Thanks for the advise. The MD Anderson folks is kinda the direction my heart was leaning.

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #5
    I had surgery followed by

    I had surgery followed by chemo on 3 different occasions. I had to wait at least 4 weeks each time. 8 weeks for avastin or vectibix. I would wait for MD Anderson to get a second opinion if you feel comfortable with that.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #6
    Six weeks for me

    My Oncologist was eager to get me started on chemo, but still wanted to wait until about six weeks post surgery.  I ended up waiting eight weeks before chemo started due to Christmas, New Year and fitting in another colonoscopy, CT & PET scan. 

    Chemo is nasty stuff, and the body doesn't like to heal from anything while you're on it, that is why they like to wait a fair amount of time. 

    Of course, you may be a young person, who have a tendency to heal a little quicker than us old folks. Best bet is to ask your Oncologist why he wants to start so quickly. Be sure to go in with a certain amount of knowledge under your belt, then he knows he is dealing with someone who wants to be a part of their treatment compared to those who'll do whatever their Oncologist wants. 

    You've certainly come to the right place here for advice. Now of course we expect you to continue to visit us, let us help you through this and then of course, you in turn can help others. 

    Good luck, we're routing for you.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #7
    MY BROTHER'S FOLLOW-UP IS 4 WEEKS.

    We will find out on Monday if he's healed enough to go back on chemo. I think it all depends on how fast your body heals after the surgery. Good luck and keep us posted on what you do!

    Lin

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #8
    After three different surgeries

    each time it was 4 to 6 weeks, never any earlier, they wanted to make sure everything was healed inside and out.

    Winter Marie

  • robval30
    robval30 Member Posts: 13
    #9
    5 weeks for my chemo post-op

    I had had surgery on Nov. 13 for rectal cancer stage 3B 4/16 nodes involved. My surgeon would not sign off on adjuvant chemo until at least 5 weeks. I am pushing it back another two weeks until after New Years. MD Anderson is suppose to be the best, so I would listen to them. 

     

    Rob

  • mdm2
    mdm2 Member Posts: 17
    #10
    Thanks again everyone for

    Thanks again everyone for their input. I'm just now diggin into this website and seeing so many survivors is making feel not quite as hopeless. Thanks for this website and all of you.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #11
    mdm2 said:

    Thanks again everyone for

    Thanks again everyone for their input. I'm just now diggin into this website and seeing so many survivors is making feel not quite as hopeless. Thanks for this website and all of you.

    This is a wonderful place

    I am glad that you are feeling a little less hopeless.

    So many wonderful survivors here, some for a good many years, and you can be one of them.

    May you be posting here in five, ten years, sharing your story, your strength, your wisdom and hope to others who will be in the position you are in  now. 

    Good luck with the chemo, and visit us often. 

Discussion Boards