[Barb]

Hi Gina
In Australia, I understand it is the norm here for one to enter the onc treatment room before they are allowed to order the Herceptin to be made up. I also had infusions when I went to UK earlier this year, and it was only made up when we signed in for treatment.
As for it losing its potency, I must confess I was most nervous that it might, as I took some Herceptin with me to UK in a 'freezer' bag. I wasn't allowed to put it in the aircraft fridge, so it was outside its normal cold environment for about 48 hours! I guess I won't know until maybe sometime down the track if my tumour markers start climbing.
I was interested to read the various comments of ladies as to how often they have their infusions in the US and some of the reactions felt by them.
I have been having Herceptin weekly for 2 years until I went to UK. There, the practice is to have a triple dose every 3 weeks over 1.5hrs. When I returned to Australia end of Sept, patients here had just been given the OK to receive it every 3 weeks as a triple dose so I felt it was a good step in the right direction trying to lead a normal life. However it was administered in 1/2hr. I became intolerably tired, I am not sure if others were the same, but the time for infusion has been changed to 1.5hrs.
Although I am described as a junior member (I don't know the reason for this), I am quite senior, so all my aches and pains, which sometimes are many, have mostly been attributed to the old degenerative disease, arthritis! For me, who knows but I shall keep on trying to be mobile! Barb