Chemo delayed beyond optimal 12 week time.

mira1013
mira1013 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am new here so please bear with me. I had to have bilat mast and complete hysterectomy March 13, 2009. Because they had to use staples instead of stitches my wounds opened a week later when staples were removed. My chemo has been delayed multiple times. I am at the end of the 90 day window to start chemo. I wasn't happy with my onco and wanted a second opinion about starting chemo with the open wound ( he was for it, my surgeon was more hesitant and wants to use a wound vac to speed up healing.) I am a diabetic also, which causes slower healing. My question is - has anyone had to delay starting chemo beyond the 90 day window? I couldn't get a straight answer from my onco on how much another delay changes the effectiveness of the chemo. I've decided to see another onco next week to check the wound for a second opinion, but this means I will be delaying my treatment for another 3 weeks.

I'm sorry this is so long,

Mira

Comments

  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #2
    Mira
    Sorry, I can't help at all there, Just nipped in to welcome you and wish you luck

    Hugs Jxxxxxxx
  • mira1013
    mira1013 Member Posts: 6
    #3
    tasha_111 said:

    Mira
    Sorry, I can't help at all there, Just nipped in to welcome you and wish you luck

    Hugs Jxxxxxxx

    Thank you
    Thank you for the good wishes. I'm going to need all the luck I can get. I just hope my faith will guide me to make the right decisions.

    Mira
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #4
    Delays and Decisions
    Mira, I was not aware of the 90-day window. I do know that chemo starts when the surgeon says he/she is done and you are ready. That, at least, is what happened in my case. With your being diabetic, I understand the surgeon's concern with your starting chemo before you are better healed. Once you start chemo, your immune system will plunge, making healing even slower. So your surgeon does have a point. As far as second opinions, I believe in them totally.

    I wish I could give you a sure answer as to what decision to make. Unfortunately, sometimes decisions related to cancer are not easy to make: no decision seems to be the obvious one. When I questioned a decision I had made, a chemo nurse told me that it was the right decision for me at the time. I had done the best I could and made the choice that I felt better about. That is really all you can do. Be informed, consider your options, and do what you feel is best for you.

    I am sorry I can't tell you what is right in this situation. My best to you. Please let us know what you decide to do. And don't hesitate to come here with questions or concerns or just to vent. You will find support--if not always a definite answer.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #5
    Mira.......
    First of all, welcome. I'm glad that you found us, although sorry for your dx.

    I honestly don't know what to say about the 90 day window. I was never sure of the timetable that oncs go by.
    Have you asked your surgeon if he/she feels that the wound will heal sooner, rather than later? Any kind of speculation as to how long it may take?
    I'm married to a diabetic and my sister is a severe diabetic, so I know that healing sometimes takes a long time.

    I don't think that getting another opinion will cause any harm and may be of great benefit for you. I think that is what I would do if I were in your situation.

    No matter what you decide, great big hugs for you.

    CR
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #6
    Mira, I can't really help
    Mira, I can't really help you with your questions. I have heard of a time window for chemo

    for its effectiveness, but, since you are not healed yet, and, diabetic, I am sure your

    doctors have to do what is best for you and not just do the "norm". I think a second opinion

    would be good. So, welcome Mira and please let us know how you do! Hugs, Kristin
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #7
    Welcome Mira....
    I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. Thank you for the info about the 90 day window. The great thing about this site is the wealth of information you can learn from others. And you just contributed!! So welcome. And I love your name. My daughter just got a puppy and named her Myra (just spelt a little different.) :) Pammy
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #8
    Welcome Mira! You will find
    Welcome Mira! There are a lot of bc warriors here! I am sorry that you are here as a result of bc. It sounds like you need to talk to your doctor, and, if you want to, get a second opinion. I have also heard of the 90 day window, but, I don't know for a fact if it is true. Good luck to you! Keep us posted of what you do!
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #9
    Mira
    I am not sure about the window of time but I would call the ACS and talk to a nurse who could maybe could give you an answer. Let us know what you find out.
    I welcome you to the best group of survivor sisters ever. and wish you good luck.
    God Bless,
    Jackie
  • mira1013
    mira1013 Member Posts: 6
    #10
    rjjj said:

    Mira
    I am not sure about the window of time but I would call the ACS and talk to a nurse who could maybe could give you an answer. Let us know what you find out.
    I welcome you to the best group of survivor sisters ever. and wish you good luck.
    God Bless,
    Jackie

    Decision
    Since I cancelled my 1st treatment today and made the appointment to see another onco about the wound, I guess I have really committed to delaying chemo again for another few weeks. This will put me at about 4 months since surgery. I now put myself in God's hands that I made the right decision and I feel better, whatever the outcome is. I did what I thought was best for my body.

    Jackie - Thanks for the suggestion about the ACS nurse. I was going to wait until next week and ask the other onco, but I'll try the nurse in the meantime.

    Thank you all for the good wishes.

    Hugs to all,

    Mira
  • jgridley
    jgridley Member Posts: 169
    #11
    welcome Mirau
    welcome Mira, i wish I could help, but I can't....
    But welcome and you will find a lot of support here.

    Julie
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #12
    mira1013 said:

    Decision
    Since I cancelled my 1st treatment today and made the appointment to see another onco about the wound, I guess I have really committed to delaying chemo again for another few weeks. This will put me at about 4 months since surgery. I now put myself in God's hands that I made the right decision and I feel better, whatever the outcome is. I did what I thought was best for my body.

    Jackie - Thanks for the suggestion about the ACS nurse. I was going to wait until next week and ask the other onco, but I'll try the nurse in the meantime.

    Thank you all for the good wishes.

    Hugs to all,

    Mira

    Mira, Welcome
    I, too, don't know about the 90-window, but I do know that the decision to make a decision is empowering. We need to feel that we have some control over our own destiny.

    I'm sorry for your dx, but I am glad that you found this site. There are many here who are online throughout the day and night. We are with you and wish you well. I agree that the ACS nurse is a great suggestion-wow! Isn't this a smart group of ladies (and gents)?!

    I had some major pre-existing medical conditions, too, but the med'l team seemed to know what to do. I followed their advice, but I did it with many questions. Initially, all of my drs worked out of the same hospital and that made conversing among themselves convenient and everyone stayed on-board. Often, I met with two or more drs at time and this proved to be quite helpful, too, because I was able to hear their respective inputs and compare.

    I know that other med'l issues present challenges in treatment, but somehow we get through it. There have been some amazing discoveries, even in the past few years, as to the best approach to bc, but I have found that every dr still has their own ideas. Therefore, 2nd opinions are never a bad idea.

    dmc
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #13
    mira1013 said:

    Decision
    Since I cancelled my 1st treatment today and made the appointment to see another onco about the wound, I guess I have really committed to delaying chemo again for another few weeks. This will put me at about 4 months since surgery. I now put myself in God's hands that I made the right decision and I feel better, whatever the outcome is. I did what I thought was best for my body.

    Jackie - Thanks for the suggestion about the ACS nurse. I was going to wait until next week and ask the other onco, but I'll try the nurse in the meantime.

    Thank you all for the good wishes.

    Hugs to all,

    Mira

    Welcome, Mira
    As others have stated, the patient needs to be in pretty good shape before beginning chemotherapy.

    Regarding your question regarding effectiveness within a 90 day timetable - this is most definitely a specific question for an oncologist. I have heard of this before... A delay may - with emphasis on may - reduce the effectiveness somewhat (and, much depends on the individual patient's diagnosis, the recommended chemo drugs, etc.). Even if delayed, the chemo could still have a substantial effect at reducing the risk of recurrence. Again, this can only be explained to you - based on your own circumstances - by an oncologist.

    Best wishes to you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #14
    welcome Mira
    sorry I can't give you any info about your questions either. All I really knew was that they wanted us to wait at least a month before starting chemo to be fully healed. So if your wound is not healed, I do understand the dilemma.
    Keep us informed with any additional information you receive.
    =^..^=
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #15
    cats_toy said:

    welcome Mira
    sorry I can't give you any info about your questions either. All I really knew was that they wanted us to wait at least a month before starting chemo to be fully healed. So if your wound is not healed, I do understand the dilemma.
    Keep us informed with any additional information you receive.
    =^..^=

    Welcome Mira. I don't know
    Welcome Mira. I don't know about chemo. All I do know is that they want you healed before you start chemo or radiation. Good luck!
  • mira1013
    mira1013 Member Posts: 6
    #16
    Alexis F said:

    Welcome Mira. I don't know
    Welcome Mira. I don't know about chemo. All I do know is that they want you healed before you start chemo or radiation. Good luck!

    Wound Vac
    I talked to my surgeon today about the wound vac which they are going to put on next week. The nurse tells me that I probably will only be on it for 2-3 weeks. If you show no improvement, they discontinue the vac.My surgeon has already spoken to the new onco I am going to see and explained all the issues of my surgery and recovery. She is supportive of getting a second opinion even though my original onco is well regarded. I think she feels the wound is a bigger risk than starting chemo later.

    I'll let you know what happens,

    Hugs,

    Mira
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #17
    mira1013 said:

    Wound Vac
    I talked to my surgeon today about the wound vac which they are going to put on next week. The nurse tells me that I probably will only be on it for 2-3 weeks. If you show no improvement, they discontinue the vac.My surgeon has already spoken to the new onco I am going to see and explained all the issues of my surgery and recovery. She is supportive of getting a second opinion even though my original onco is well regarded. I think she feels the wound is a bigger risk than starting chemo later.

    I'll let you know what happens,

    Hugs,

    Mira

    Well, you are staying on top
    Well, you are staying on top of it Mira. I am sure that your wound is a bigger risk than

    delaying chemo. Please let us know how everything goes. Good luck Mira!
  • mira1013
    mira1013 Member Posts: 6
    #18
    Kristin N said:

    Well, you are staying on top
    Well, you are staying on top of it Mira. I am sure that your wound is a bigger risk than

    delaying chemo. Please let us know how everything goes. Good luck Mira!

    Trying
    Thanks Kristin. I am going to stay positive no matter what.

    mira
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #19
    mira1013 said:

    Trying
    Thanks Kristin. I am going to stay positive no matter what.

    mira

    You are welcome Mira!
    You are welcome Mira! Please do stay positive. You have to trust the doctor's. They know

    what they are doing and will do everything possible to give you the best treatment!
  • cwestbro
    cwestbro Member Posts: 15
    #20
    I had healing issues after
    I had healing issues after my bilat mastectomy and my ono would not allow me to start chemo with any open wound. Many because your blood counts go so low and you can get serious infections. I was a little over 60 days after surgery when I finally healed, but once my surgeon said I was healed the chemo started immediately! Good luck!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #21
    mira1013 said:

    Wound Vac
    I talked to my surgeon today about the wound vac which they are going to put on next week. The nurse tells me that I probably will only be on it for 2-3 weeks. If you show no improvement, they discontinue the vac.My surgeon has already spoken to the new onco I am going to see and explained all the issues of my surgery and recovery. She is supportive of getting a second opinion even though my original onco is well regarded. I think she feels the wound is a bigger risk than starting chemo later.

    I'll let you know what happens,

    Hugs,

    Mira

    Just offering my best wishes
    Just offering my best wishes to you Mira. Trust your doctors, they will take care of you! And, get the second opinion if you feel you need to. Lots of us do! Hugs to you!

Discussion Boards