Hello
I am looking for some advice as I am waiting to hear back from my oncologist and was wondering if any of you ladies who had herceptin went on a break to go on holiday etc?
It looks like I will miss it for two months and was wondering if this is acceptable as I dont want to cause any problems for myself.
As I said I am waiting to hear from my oncologist and hopefully will find out on 13th or 14th if its acceptable but was wondering if anyone had a similar sutuation?
Thanks
Bringing this to the top for Babychops1982
Jo, Facilitator
If you go more than 4 weeks (3 weekly normal dose plus an extra week) you have to start again with the loading dose, so if you are going on a 2 week holiday that isn’t a problem as your hospital will factor the dates into the 12 month programme, but I don’t know about a couple of months - that would seem to be a long break.
I had to have a 6 week break part way through because my heart function dropped but my onc was keen to get me on medication to improve my heart so she could get me back on Herceptin as quick as possible. She told me she wanted as little break as possible.
I personally wouldn’t have wanted to miss any as it is such a wonder drug.
As SamLee said, if you have a break then they will restart you with a loading dose.
I must confess that I took the view that I would build my life around Herceptin for the year - as giving myself the best chance of long term survival was/is the most important thing.
That year is almost up, I’ve just had my 17/18 infusion, but I really do understand the restrictions caused by the 3 weekly cycle, as it has kept me in the uk when I would normally have been out of the country for months at a time.
I haven’t started my Chemo and Herceptin yet - not long now though. My hubby and I knew from the beginning this would be a long journey, and that our lives will be on hold for a year. We cancelled 3 booked holidays and are now hanging on to the thought that when my treatment is all finished we can seriously make up for it.
My life has been on hold for the past year but I have had to leave the country for urgent personal business that means a lot to me and will determine how I live the rest of my life.
I know about the loading dose, before I left they told me about that, I originally thought I would be going away for 5 weeks and my oncologist said it was fine and would make no difference, I was unlucky as my herceptin day was the day after I left to go abroad and they would not give me it a day early. I am just going to wait and see what the oncologist says and If I have to come back sooner as its going to be a threat to my life then I will.
Thanks for your replies ladies x
I am on Herceptin long term and my oncologist said a break of 6 weeks would make no difference. I recently had a 6 week break (2 weeks for a holiday then missed next dose due to illness) so my last one was a loading dose. I really hope it has made no difference at all.