Why labs again?

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BioAdoptMom
BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
in Breast Cancer #1
I am curious as to whether or not this is a routine thing. I have not started chemo yet. My RO informed me on Friday that my MO said I would be needing chemo. Our appointment with the MO is a week from Thursday. I was told I would be having labs drawn again. OK, they just did that when I went for my MO consultation 2 1/2 weeks ago and far as I know everything was fine. Nothing has changed since then, so why would I be having labs again 3 weeks after I had them when I haven't had any kind of treatments? I did ask the nurse on the phone today but she really couldn't answer my question.

Thanks for any ideas or comments.

Nancy

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  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
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    Hope this helps
    I have asked the same question and my oncologist said because he needs to know what is happening now and not what happened 3 weeks ago. Think of it this way--if you needed surgery, you would have to have the lab tests again because no hospital would risk using "old" results before a surgical procedure. Likewise, chemo can be a risky procedure so medical oncologists want current data unless they ok using the older labs.
  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
    #3
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    Just part of the "roller coaster" ride.
    If you don't already know, you will most likely have your blood drawn every week while on chemo. Before each chemo treatment you will have it drawn and your doctor will review it before your chemo can begin. You will probably go between chemo treatments for more blood work to make sure your blood counts are within a safe range. You'll get used to it. Like I said, it's part of the "ride".
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #4
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    just being safe
    Labs become a way of life. Drs. have to monitor everything very closely and know what is happening right now. I even had to have an echocardiogram before starting chemo. THey need to make sure you can handle what's coming your way and they don't want to put your health at risk more than necessary. You'll get used to the routine.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    Made sense to me
    I never questioned all the blood draws - it just made sense to me that as the body is being attacked first by the Cancer that is growing and then by the meds that are attacking the Cancer, it needs to be monitored to find changes hopefully before a serious problem develops. "Things" can and do change and change quickly some times.

    For me - I had blood draws before each infusion (16). It stayed good through the 4 dense dose A/C (every 2 weeks) and the first 5 weekly Taxol. On the draw before the 6th Taxol my Potassium level dropped dramatically. None of the Drs knows why but it did and over a year out of chemo it is still a problem keeping it up to normal so it's mega dose of Potassium daily to keep it in the normal range. If I forget to take it for a couple/few days I know it - bad cramps in feet, ankles, lower legs which go away when I take it like I should.

    I did not have any draws in the 'off' week with A/C but with it my blood work never showed any problem going on so Dr didn't think it was needed. Some do though.

    Susan
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #6
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    Just to be safe
    Just to be safe as everyone said. Particularly if you'll be starting chemo soon. You'll be amazed that they can take so much blood. I had draws the day before each round. Fortunately counts were always good, not I didn't need anything in between. Good luck. I hope you find peace after another meeting with your MO that you are being prescribed the correct treatment, and if you don't feel that way -- Second Opinion.

    marge
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #7
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    Had labs
    done just before each chemo treatment. I think one of the things they want to see is how your white blood cells are doing to see if you may need help for your immune system, and I'm sure they are checking for other things as well just to be sure of the state of your body before they administer the chemo.
  • BioAdoptMom
    BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
    #8
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    Thanks for your helpful
    Thanks for your helpful answers. My first response to the fact that I was going to have labs done again wheen I just had them a few weeks prior was one of resentment - like maybe they wanted my insurance company's money, though I know that is not accurate. It's just that the anger over this whole thing kicks in every now and then.

    Nancy
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #9
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    CypressCynthia said:

    Hope this helps
    I have asked the same question and my oncologist said because he needs to know what is happening now and not what happened 3 weeks ago. Think of it this way--if you needed surgery, you would have to have the lab tests again because no hospital would risk using "old" results before a surgical procedure. Likewise, chemo can be a risky procedure so medical oncologists want current data unless they ok using the older labs.

    Cynthia wrote what I was
    Cynthia wrote what I was going to tell you. The doctors want current information.


    Hugs, Debby

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