Herceptin jab

Oh gosh I’m sorry to hear that as I know it must be a worry. I am still in chemo and due to have my first Herceptin with my next chemo. I asked the oncologist this week if ok to go away on holiday later in year due to the injections and I was told they would need to ensure Herceptin is given either a little early or later if you are away on date it’s due. So, I got the impression a  week either way shouldn’t be too much of a problem - hope that helps to offer some reassurance but maybe check with the breast care nurses to see if they know. Hope yiu are given a another date soon. 

Hello, they've managed to find me an appointment this time. But going forward I get the impression too that it's only a week. I speak to the oncologist on Thursday but I have to say, this isn't doing my dodgy blood pressure  any good.. Thanks for replying. 

Hi, I'm with the BHOC too, and I had trouble a couple of weeks ago with getting my chemo done. I couldn't get calls back from anyone who could give me any useful information. The nurses are being pinged and having to isolate - can you imagine how frustrating that must be for them? Luckily for me, my next door neighbour is an oncologist and reassured me that a couple of weeks of delay in chemo or Herceptin isn't going to cause a health issue.

Did you know that you can get it done at the satellite units in Hengrove or the Concord Centre too, not just the BHOC, unless you've had a reaction in the past? Of course the Bookings team still need to schedule it in, and they've been hit too. It's rubbish all round. I really feel for them.

Thanks for that. When I had my herceptin jab today, the nurse spoke of the staff shortages. Having to wait for chemo has got to be the pits as chemo is not an experience I  would wish on anyone. Agreed the bhoc reception can be a bit hit and miss and quick to use the answer phone.. I did wonder if I could have it done at my gp's? I don't know the satellite sites or where they are. But I speak to the oncologist tomorrow,  maybe he will know. Yes it's all annoying but must be more so for them.

I’m under bhoc as well but moved my treatment to Concorde satellite it’s in little stoke so much easier for me to get to and so much easier to park. The staff cover all sites but I did hear they were people having trouble getting chemo booked in. Such a worry- hope you don’t have any more issues. 

My jab was also delayed a week and the oncologist was very relaxed about it, she said it's can’t  be done less than 3 weeks apart but a week or even two longer gap is ok.

No, it can't be done at the GP's, unfortunately. Those are our 3 centres in Bristol. South Bristol Community Hospital is in Hengrove (brand new) and the Concord Centre is in Little Stoke, just up from Horfield. Both have decent parking which is a massive thing compared with the BHOC. Whereabouts are you? Happy to chat if you want to PM me.

All the best with the onco appointment. x

Hi redsquirrelnuts

I'm in Hanham and I don't drive. I would have to look up Horfield, which I think is North Bristol. I don't know how to PM anyone, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping it was a one off this time around- the staff shortages that is. I've got 6/7 herceptin jabs left -thank goodness. Yes, the bhoc car park is tiny, isn't it? 

Hi Hepi

Sorry to hear about the issues with your Herceptin jab.  I don’t know how widespread this has been rolled out, but last year after having 5 out of 18 jabs at the hospital, they taught me to do the injections myself so I could do at home due to Covid. I had the syringes delivered to my house a few days beforehand, then followed up with a phone call the day after to make sure everything had gone ok.  Also had the benefit that I could do the jab as slowly as I wanted so it didn’t sting!  Might be worth asking if your hospital could do the same?

Loffie x

I asked about that. I was told this is not an option because Herceptin is so expensive, they can't even risk sending it to the GP's surgery. Could be just our area though, and I am incredibly lucky to live so close to the Best in the West, so it's not as if I have to drive from Cornwall to Bristol every 3 weeks for it.