Immune system

Hi Jock,

I’m Kirsty one of the cancer information nurse specialists.

Thanks for getting in touch during what has been a difficult time for you. You might find our online chemotherapy forum a safe place to chat to others going through treatment and get additional support.

I hope you have now recovered from your infection and hospital stay. I understand how worried you will feel about continuing with chemotherapy given your experience.

It is important that you discuss your concerns with your cancer team before your next treatment is due. This allows them to reassure you, in the hope you can safely continue in treatment or discuss other options like the one you have suggested.

Chemotherapy is given before surgery for a few reasons. If this was suggested by the surgeon to reduce risk during surgery or to allow surgery to take place, the option to stop chemotherapy may impact the surgery.

You always have a say – treatment can not go ahead without your consent.

Making an informed decision means raising concerns, understanding your treatment plan and cancer benefits, and asking questions about other options.

Perhaps this gives you a starting point and plan. There may be some suggested questions in the link that you can use during your appointment with your consultant.

If you have a contact number for your cancer nurse specialist (CNS), you can also leave them a message. They are there to help support you through your treatment.

Best wishes, 

Kirsty, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/DW