How long has anyone postponed chemo?

• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted July 24, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Hi,
Only your doctor can answer that question. I'm sure he'll weigh the physical aspects vs. the wedding time - with your health being the most important.

I've had chemo postponed the first time I had it because of low white cell counts - once for up to 3 weeks - but then they gave me Neupogyn shots and I was able to stay on schedule after that. For this recent recurrence treatment I had no delays at all since I got Neulasta shots from the very start.

It must be hard to balance all the work/excitement of the wedding with your treatments. I hope everything goes well all the way around. Congratulations and all the best to your daughter.

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• By momanderson920
• Posted July 25, 2008 at 11:20 am

I had to postpone my chemotherapy for 6 weeks after surgery. Ideally they prefer to start chemo 2 weeks after surgery and in my case I had failing kidneys so they could not do any chemo. I watched my CA125 double in less than 2 weeks. Six weeks after surgery for Stage III3C after a wonderful nephrologist figured out what was causing my kidney problem and fixed it with prednisone, I started chemo. After 6 treatments my CA125 has gone from 871 (and it may have been higher since it was 871 a few weeks before chemo was started) to 9. So I would not worry too much since you have a lower stage of the cancer and you have already had 4 treatments, you may already be cancer free. What is your CA125 presently? And why would it be postponed 7 weeks? If you are currently a week behind and then postponed for another and the wedding is following, that should put you more like around 3-4 weeks delayed. It sounds more like you might be postponed 3-4 weeks. Plus you can have your chemo any day of the week....just because you always had it on Friday, they can do it a totally different day once you have been postponed. If you have a good CA125 and your oncologist is not concerned, then it may be OK.

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• By Connie4
• Posted July 25, 2008 at 12:33 pm

I agree that only your chemo doc can tell you how long is okay to wait. I wouldn't postpone a treatment for any reason other than that of health.

No doctor should ever say any one of us is "cancer free." That lulls us into thinking "it" won't come back when in actuality it will, no matter what stage you're at. It took five years to show up on me again, but I was watching the whole time. Not living for cancer, but being watchful. I'm a six-year survivor now and have been back in chemo since last summer. I've had three years longer than the docs said I would. Just goes to show that God IS in control.

Have a blessed day and congrats on your daughter's marriage.

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• By Hippieebi
• Posted July 25, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Thanks for all your comments! I went to the Doctor today and my platelets are up to 65 so I am having another blood test on Monday and am currently scheduled for Tuesday for #5. That should give me plenty of time to recuperate before the wedding (and company starts arriving!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesday! My CA125 is currently 8. I will be diligently watching it...and not taking anything for granted....forever!
Thanks again for your responses!

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• By Kellyr1
• Posted July 26, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Carol,

So sorry to hear that your count was low, but now it is picking up again. A prayer for you to be able to receive your treatment #5. Your CA125 level is also good news being in the single digits. I will be keeping you in mind this next week. I am not sure if you read my last journal entry but I amhaving my port out on Monday, and I am now on a 3 month check up. You know the mind has went a little away from me and I may have already mentioned this to you and forgot. Great health is here for you and it is Gods will to heal us. best wishes, hugs, & prayers.
Love Kel

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• By PattyKey
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 7:28 am

Hi, just another person adding their two cents :)
I didn't start chemo until about six weeks after surgery. My oncologist said I needed to heal a little first. And then the day before I was scheduled for treatment number three, my husband's brother died in a car accident. So we had to be out of state for the funeral at the time my treatment was scheduled. I was concerned and went to my doctor the following week who was very reassuring and said that our body's don't keep calendars as much as our minds do. And my body wouldn't know that I missed a treatment. He did have me come in and get started though as soon as we got home, and like the other lady said, it didn't have to be on my "usual" weekday, it was as soon as I got back. I am a nine year survivor with one recurrence four years ago.

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• By Hippieebi
• Posted July 27, 2008 at 11:36 am

Thanks everyone for your replies and support! I am scheduled for Tuesday! Keep your fingers crossed. Getting bloodwork tomorrow to see where my counts are.

Good health to all!

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• By suemac
• Posted July 28, 2008 at 11:44 pm

Hi Carol,

Tuesday is our 36th wedding anniversary. It is a special day for us and for you too, for your treatment to go through. Sorry to hear about the delays, but hoping the wedding plans have gone well, so far. What a challenge! Good luck and God's blessing,

Sue

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