Chemo #1 and Chemo shot - are they the same?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited March 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I received my sister's chemotherapy schedule today, including the blood draws.

What is the difference between "Chemo #1," and a "Chemo shot" the next day?

She'll be having Chemo #1 and #2, and two Chemo shots.

Thank you.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2019

    Likely to be a Neulasta injection, given within 24 hours of chemo, which helps keep the white blood cell (WBC) count up to prevent an opportunistic infection. Receiving Neulasta is pretty standard with multi-agent chemo regimens, or with specific chemo drugs known to have a deleterious effect on blood counts. Chemo drugs slow production of all blood cells, but Neulasta provides protection against infection due to low WBC. I would recommend that your sister take regular Claritin starting the day before and continuing for several days. Neulasta causes stimulation of the bone marrow to produce new white blood cells but this can cause some bone/joint discomfort in some people. Claritin helps control edema in the marrow from this artificial stimulation. Of course, she should first check with her oncologist about taking the Claritin.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2019

    Thank you SpecialK.

    I didn't need chemo for my cancer but it sure sounds scary. I know millions of people have successfully gone through chemo treatment but this is my sister. When she sent me a photo with her hair shaved off last week, I cried for days. Perhaps it's okay for me to have a few emotional breakdowns.

    She doesn't seem to be needing many chemo treatments. Is four the typical amount?

    Thanks for your help, and thanks for your understanding!

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  • Jenkins00
    Jenkins00 Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2019

    The number of chemo treatments depends on the diagnosis or if a MammaPrint or Oncotype was completed and came back high risk for reoccurence. I am having four rounds because my MammaPrint came back high risk for reoccurrence even though I was diagnosed Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2019

    Chemo is scary, but for some of us a necessary thing. It has to be hard for you not being there with her too. I hope things go well for her - and that she gets through it ok. How many infusions depends on the particular regimen chosen. Different regimens are chosen depending on the hormonal receptors and Her2 status, patient age, any other co-morbidities. Do you know which drugs she is getting?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2019

    Thank you Jenkins00. My sister lives 3000 miles away from me so I don't know any of the other specifics. I do know she is going to one of the best rated cancer centers in the US, so she seems to be in good hands.

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  • Jenkins00
    Jenkins00 Member Posts: 144
    edited February 2019

    Your welcome. Being far from family is hard. Mine is spread all over the US so I completely understand. I am happy to hear she is in good hands. Best wishes to you and your sister.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2019

    SpecialK, I don't know the drugs she's taking. She was given the list the other day but left it in her car, and hasn't gone outside since the snow accumulation in Seattle on Monday.

    My daughter flew out to help her trough the first chemo treatment, but my sister got sick and her first treatment will be after my daughter leaves. My sister has very good friends who will be there through chemo, her third surgery (in the same breast) and then radiation.

    I just have to trust that God keeps her in His hands. I've taken her cancer much harder than my own but, of course, my sister is having to go through so much more.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2019

    On Feb 5, I wrote that my sister " doesn't seem to be needing many chemo treatments." I stand corrected. She has several more treatments between now and the end of April, her last two are Chemo #4 and Chemo Shot #4.

    Before radiation they want her to have a third lumpectomy (I think two and three are called re-excision).

    My sister is triple negative and has the BRAC1 mutation. In my ignorance, I don't understand why the doctor's haven't recommended as mastectomy.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2019

    Hi Viewfinder and I'm so sorry about your sister - although glad she's getting good medical care. My only supposition on a re-excision vs masectomy is that a) chemo has shrunk the tumor and/or b) they think a masectomy, since it's a more difficult surgery and recovery, would be too hard on her. Maybe someone smarter will chime in.

    I will keep you both in my thoughts.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2019

    Thanks Georgia1. I appreciate your input and concern!

    The article at this site, Lumpectomy for Early-Stage Triple-Negative Disease Doesn't Seem to Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Coming Back in Same Breast, seems to address this issue.

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