Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

Hi everyone,

I just booked a trip to NJ to visit my brother and his family over Easter break without realizing that I had a Herceptin infusion that week.

I'm hoping to change my appt for the week before, which would mean a two-week interval between two infusions. Has anyone done this before? Is it better to have them two-weeks apart or four-weeks apart? Why do we do them in three-week intervals anyways?

Thanks!!!

Marcia

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

Hi Marcia,

I had to do this as well. You have the treatments 3 weeks apart because it is a triple dose of herceptin. I needed to adjust my schedule and the oncologist gave me a double dose once, and then I came back after just two weeks. Then he gave me a triple dose again and I was back on schedule. Hope your oncologist is just as flexible!

Have a blessed Easter and a wonderful trip!!

Alice

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

I just watched a video presentation by Dr. Larry Norton of MSK where he mentioned a movement towards more frequent dosing of chemo as well as targeted agents like Herceptin and Tykerb. You could be ahead of the curve.

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

I don't see why not if your oncologist can adjust your dose to reflex the temporary change in your schedule.
Enjoy the trip. Take care.

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

it's no problem, you can do it. i had a flight booked to utah for february 3/11 and somehow they squeezed 3 herceptin infusions between 1/21 and 2/1. on the last one i had it on a thursday, then the following monday! i'm sure they're used to jockeying infusions around for people's schedules. valerie

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

Marcia
I have done this more than once and never had a problem!

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

I'm pretty sure I did this same thing and it was no problem. I figure the extra dosage would be a good thing!

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

I've done it too - it's so good to have doctors who "get it" that the whole reason we do this is to have a life.

You probably will get a dose reduction, so instead of getting a 3 week dose, you get a 2 week dose.

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

My oncologist told me that they only do it in weekly doses and 3 week doses. So, whenever I go away, I do the weekly doses for a couple of weeks and then the week before I go away, I get the 3 week dose (which carries me through my whole vacation). This works for me since I am at the Cancer Center for Navelbine 3 out of 4 weeks a month anyway...Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

Re: Can I have a Herceptin infusion two weeks after another instead of three?
 

Thank you all who responded. My oncologist's nurse called me back yesterday and told me that they'll be able to put me on a weekly schedule for the next 3 weeks (like Colleen07) so I'll be able to go on my trip.

Can't wait to enjoy NYC in the Spring with the kids!

Have a great weekend,

Marcia