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kari · 11-09-2006, 08:01 AM

Greetings!
Looking for info on what "standard" protocol seems to be for pre-Herceptin blood work. I will be doing Her. once every three weeks for a year.
My onc says it's not necessary every time because Herceptin doesn't have the same effect on white count that chemo does. She is willing to do a "baseline" before my first one next week. My chemo nurse, when I called and asked her, said they do blood work every time before Herceptin. Other women I have talked to say they get it done every third treatment (or 9 weeks).
I won't complain about not having to have blood drawn, but I want to be sure it isn't necessary to have it checked periodically, before I make too much of a fuss.
I am from Ontario, Canada, and perhaps some of the rationale is cost-driven, or maybe just different standard procedures, depending on the clinic.
Thanks for your replies! Blessings to all.
Kari

The Lord is my strength and my salvation.

11-09-2006, 08:01 AM	#1
kari Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 48	Blood work before Herceptin Greetings! Looking for info on what "standard" protocol seems to be for pre-Herceptin blood work. I will be doing Her. once every three weeks for a year. My onc says it's not necessary every time because Herceptin doesn't have the same effect on white count that chemo does. She is willing to do a "baseline" before my first one next week. My chemo nurse, when I called and asked her, said they do blood work every time before Herceptin. Other women I have talked to say they get it done every third treatment (or 9 weeks). I won't complain about not having to have blood drawn, but I want to be sure it isn't necessary to have it checked periodically, before I make too much of a fuss. I am from Ontario, Canada, and perhaps some of the rationale is cost-driven, or maybe just different standard procedures, depending on the clinic. Thanks for your replies! Blessings to all. Kari The Lord is my strength and my salvation.