Waiting for 6 weeks after chemo to have surgery can be a common approach.

I was stage III rectal cancer. I had chemo and radiation. I achieved complete pathlogical complete response (pCR). I am on a watch and wait protocol. I have alternating CT and PET scans every 6 months, along with blood tests and CEA, 3 months physical exams, yearly colonscopies. 1 1/2 years no issues. I did not have surgery. For me, this approach was a great solution. I also recently had a ctDNA test blood test to look for residual cancer, it was negative. This test is still new and not covered by many insurance policies.

Memorial Sloan Kettering has been leading the effort on watch and wait.

Read, develop questions, talk to several medical professionals, read some more, and make a decision that is right for you. No guarantees with any approach but statistics can lead you to an informed choice, it may not work out but at least you took an informed path. Risk and rewards should be balanced in any decision. Good luck.

Attached is some reading material, you may need to register to read, but it is free information.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7422545/
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2200075
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32561971/
https://www.mskcc.org/news/how-watch-and-wait-approach-may-help-people-rectal-cancer-preserve-their-quality-life