which chemo first

[Hope]

Have any of you ever heard about the order that chemos should be given if you are taking more than one. I am currently on Navelbine and Herceptin. Does it matter which one is given first. I was told by one of the onc. nurses that Herceptin should be given first because it opens up the cells to receive the chemo. Any truth to that?

[Priscilla - OK]

Hello - I too was let to believe that the Herceptin should come first because it conditions the tumor cell - but not sure.

[Kitty]

I have a port so while we are waiting for the lab tests to come back to see if blood counts are good enough for chemo, I am given the herceptin. It doesn't matter if your blood counts are low to receive herceptin because it does not alter them. In my case it helps save time because I also receive taxol (1 hr) and carboplatin (1/2 hr) in addition to 1/2 hr of herceptin and of course the premeds which take about 1/2 hr. I have never heard there is a specific order but am curious and will ask next week. Intersting question.

[Lisa]

Hope,
Interesting. I am also on Navelbine and Herceptin. And I've been given it in both orders. I can't imagine anything needing to "open up the cells" with a drug as strong as Navelbine, but who knows? All I know is so far so good. On both since Sept. and numerous liver mets reduced by 50%. Bone mets looking good, too.
If I remember, I'll mention this to my onc Tuesday.

Love and Light,

Lisa