Traveling

bdee
bdee Member Posts: 304
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anybody traveled out of country while on chemo?
I have always wanted to go to Europe and my husband wants to take me this year instead of waiting until I'm off chemo. (The way chemo has been treating me, he thinks it is going to kill me before the cancer does).
I asked my doctor and he just told me to make sure I don't miss any chemo treatments. He didn't okay it or anything or even tell me if it was alright to go.
So, anyone traveled?

Thanks,
Debbie

Comments

  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #2
    I traveled....
    ...but only domestically. In fact I took several trips between chemo treatments, but it was with the okay of my oncologist. You have to make your own choice, but if it were me, I would put off Europe until after chemo. You would not want to be so far from home if some kind of illness or complication were to arise. Perhaps Europe could be something you plan for after chemo...something to look forward to.

    There are lots of great places to go, do and see here, but if you truly want to go to Europe, check with your insurance first to see what their coverage is while traveling.
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #3
    Europe
    Well, as someone still waiting to finish chemo after 22mos. with no end in sight, I say go if you feel well enough to enjoy it. My doctor has said he would work my treatments around any traveling I wanted to do and be sure I felt well by then. My treatments are currently being reconfigured to ensure a wonderful cruise in August with my kids and hopefully a European trip with just hubby and I in October. Ask for it, maybe your doc has a Nurse Practitioner that you see that is more sensitive?

    Live while your alive, I say. Enjoy the present because it's the only thing we can count on. Seems like over the years we always put stuff off and waited until... (fill in the blank - you know the drill). No more of that.

    Kimby
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Pick me! Pick me!
    As you may remember, my 'second' home is in The Netherlands (Holland). We managed to avoid traveling during treatment for my rectal cancer, but hit it bang on with the breast cancer. Between #3 and #4 of Adriamycin/Cytoxin...and I was feeling pretty rough. My onc said that it was OK to push #4 off a week later, since I had been pretty good up till then.

    Having just finished the chemo 6 months earlier for the rectal cancer, I was down 45 pounds and bald. I even walked with a cane up to the gate. But, EVERYONE was soooo helpful!!! Well, except for the lady next to me on the plane. She was, shall we say, a 'healthy' size...and must have thought that since I wasn't using all of MY seat, well, SHE should! I finally put my mask on, because she was being so intrusive, and asked her to please not touch my seat armrest controls, which were between us. She got up in a huff and didn't return for a looooong time.

    The only advice that I have is to take a mask or two, since germs don't know where to stop in the plane, make sure to let the flight attendant know that you are in treatment...they are usually very careful with we cancer warriors! Also, if the person beside you is sick, ask to be moved...so that you have less exposure (no sneezies in your food..lol). In addition, make sure to stay VERY well hydrated while on board...water is the best. I carried my own food, since my tummy was touchy all of the time. If you are not used to traveling long time segments, you might look into a flight split so that you can stretch your legs. Make sure your connection is long enough to not add stress, and register for a wheelchair when you buy tickets (you don't know how long a walk between gates, and this way they will take you right from gate to gate). I was used to a non-stop, LAX to Holland, so I could stand the 10 hours...I slept ALOT.

    That's it in a nutshell. It IS doable...and it REALLY lifted my spirits to get away and see a new landscape. If you decide to go, ask me anything...I do this run at least twice a year. And if you are near Holland when we are there...I'll show you around!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    I travel
    Hi - I live in Hong Kong, and I do travel - for work and for pleasure - when I am able to. Having been "grounded" several times over th past 6 years - due to surgery, chemo or whatever, I now seize the opportunity when I am able. I am currently on maintenance chemo but my blood counts (ie immunity) is considered ok for me to travel. I only do so with the consent (or, I should say, knowledge) of my oncologist. Also, I wear a mask when on long-distance flights. I have to plan my trips around my chemo (well, I'm on Xeloda pills -- but have to see my onc and get my port flushed once a month). I try to be extra vigilant about hand washing etc. But, I try to do that at home too!

    This summer I will be sailing around the Turkey coast with my husband and two handsome teenage boys. Last summer they sailed around Croatia and I had to miss it (some minor lung surgery thang). So, I'm determined to make it this year! Pet scan in June will determine that.

    This is just my perspective and experience. I remain completely respectful of other points of view. At the end of the day, it is a highly personal decision. Emotional factors are real and to be respected.

    Have a great summer, wherever you are.

    Tara
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #6
    Balkans
    After being diagnosed with stage IV in 2005, I took a month-long trip to Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria and Istanbul in 2006. It was a break from chemo, somewhat. I took a break from my infusional drugs and took Xeloda with me. I went back on all my usual drugs when I returned, and then this past January and February I went back to Croatia and Bosnia to work on a project. By this time, my cancer had progressed (was actually in remission in 2006) so I took all my oral medications and held the infusions until my return. Tomorrow I go to Chicago for just one week, and won't be doing any chemotherapy at all. I suppose there could be a risk in taking these chemo breaks, but there is also a quality of life issue to consider. I really wanted to take these trips and take them at times I was feeling well enough to enjoy them. Since I am basically on chemo for life, there will never be a time that I am "through" with chemotherapy and treatment. We only get this one life, so I say it's important to do the things you want to do, weighing the risks against the benefits of living the experience. On the other hand, if you don't want to go to Europe, you might consider making the reservations anyway, staying here to keep current with your treatments, and sending me in your place. I will promise to take plenty of pictures and video, and send it all to you.

    Rodney
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    taraHK said:

    I travel
    Hi - I live in Hong Kong, and I do travel - for work and for pleasure - when I am able to. Having been "grounded" several times over th past 6 years - due to surgery, chemo or whatever, I now seize the opportunity when I am able. I am currently on maintenance chemo but my blood counts (ie immunity) is considered ok for me to travel. I only do so with the consent (or, I should say, knowledge) of my oncologist. Also, I wear a mask when on long-distance flights. I have to plan my trips around my chemo (well, I'm on Xeloda pills -- but have to see my onc and get my port flushed once a month). I try to be extra vigilant about hand washing etc. But, I try to do that at home too!

    This summer I will be sailing around the Turkey coast with my husband and two handsome teenage boys. Last summer they sailed around Croatia and I had to miss it (some minor lung surgery thang). So, I'm determined to make it this year! Pet scan in June will determine that.

    This is just my perspective and experience. I remain completely respectful of other points of view. At the end of the day, it is a highly personal decision. Emotional factors are real and to be respected.

    Have a great summer, wherever you are.

    Tara

    Two handsome boys? Can I come? Pleeeeeeeze!!!
    Just kidding. I went to Turkey, on land, last year. The coast is sooooo beautiful!!! We stayed in 2 places at the beach before turning inland to Ankara. Kussadasi was picture perfect...our hotel was high on a cliff, right on the sea, with a spectacular view!

    Have a grand trip, Tara!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • bdee
    bdee Member Posts: 304
    #8
    Thanks so much
    I can't begin to thank all of you for your answers. We are still planning our trip, but I have to get a lot stronger and be able to eat before we actually pay for anything. At least my insurance has overseas coverage because there are military bases in all the towns we will be visiting.

    Thanks again,
    Debbie
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #9
    travel
    I am currently on weekly infusions of Folfiri/5FU and plan some business travel in the coming weeks. Nothing as exciting as you though. I get to go to:

    West Chester, OH
    Lansing, MI
    Tulsa, OK

    I appreciate some of the comments about informing the flight personnel and use of masks. I say travel if you can and keep living life at your best.

    Good Luck and perhaps Bon Voyage!

    Mike

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