Hi Helen,

A very warm welcome to cancer chat.

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 8 years  and I also lost my mother to it, so I am no stranger to the devastation it causes.

I had surgery before treatment, but I understand that it is policy sometimes to use chemo first to try and reduce the size of the tumour. Having said this, I am not a doctor. I didn't have chemo so I cannot answer your other question. Why not phone the nurses on this site to see if they can suggest anything that might bring your neutrophils and white cell count up? They can be contacted on 0808 800 4040. They are there from 9.00am - 5.00pm, Mon - Fri and the number is free. I hope that they can help you.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx