Traveling Following FOLFOX

One Caveat
When you purchase your flight tickets, be sure to purchase the insurance that will allow you to cancel the trip and get a refund, so that your money will be protected.

This is a hard call - I know when on chemo, the last thing I would be up for would be a flight with all of that rigamaro that goes with the TSA and all of that. I just felt too bad and was in bed the first 3-4 days when I did Folfox...I gradually got a little better, wasn't up for any trips though.

Just go with how he feels and what he thinks he can tolerate - just buy insurance so if the trip gets cancelled, you are protected.

If you go, have a great time.

travel
I've been on the Folfox, leucovorin, 5FU, Oxyplatin AND Erbitux since January 3rd.

the first month, i had a very hard time... but part of that was my mind and my emotions dealing with the beginning of my battle. I also had a difficult time with nausea as well as diarea. The diarea for me wasn't too bad, as I have a colostomy bag. And, as strange as it sounds... the bag is very helpful for diarea with travel.

After about 4-6 weeks, the nausea was under control...

someone esle mentioned that everyone reacts differently, and I could not agree more.

Jan and Feb I didn't want to travel, as i was affraid to get sick. Again, that was the winter time here in Ohio and I didn't feel very good at all. By March and April I have been able to travel (fly) 3 different times... as well as a few one to two our car trips.

I agree with buying the flight insurance... ya just never konw.
also, when traveling in airplanes as well as the trams and other stuff... but sure to wash hands often. And, I took extra vitamin C and drank many liquids the day before and morning of flying to make sure i was hydrated. i also was able to buy a seat close to the rest room.

as for flight check in... withe colostomy bag and the port, it was NO PROBLEM.
they see many different illnesses all the time... and they only had me go to a stage to whipe my hands and scan for some material or powder... but no problems. Just communicate with the flight check in people.

I also agree with a "relaxing" vacation and not a Disney Vacation waiting in long lines and being on your feet for a long time. I truly like to walk slowly now and take time to sit and watch people... and relax.

I was on a week vacation two weeks ago with family and i used 2 days to sleep and lay around while my four kids and wife were at the beach. They'd check on me, and i'd say... I'll meet you at 4 or 5 for dinner... GO HAVE FUN!! they got it and know that i needed the rest and relaxation. NO STRESS is allowed right now.

lastly... these meds kill the pigments in the skin. So the SUN is a bad friend. UV rays and sun burns are very problematic. I have Erbitux too... so that makes it worse. I was told that 3 hours of sun last year would be equal to 30 minutes this year. So, be sure to have sun screen, or clothes that include UV protection. We purchased some UV shirts as well as a very good pair of sunglasses... bright sun light would burn my eyes a lot more than Pre-chemo days.

One more thing.... talk to you oncologist and your doctors team and ask LOTS of questions.

enjoy that vacation.

my best

joe

thxmiker said:

If it is early on in the
If it is early on in the treatments, probably not going to be a issue. About my third treatment it hit me like a ton of bricks! My first two I felt the side effects of chemo, but was not exhausted all the time.

Best Always, mike

Tough window
I was on similar regime (CAPOX). It was going so well early in the course that we scheduled a flight to see our newborn grandson to depart a couple of months into treatment. I had to cancel because I was floored. My wife went anyway, and I survived alone on frozen dinners and cranberry juice. We were caught with no planning, so a little hectic. We finally made the flight and visit together 6 months later (was extraordinary). Best wishes for you.

Norm

buckeye2 said:

Thank you to all who
Thank you to all who responded. You give good advice. I checked into flight insurance but preexisting illnesses aren't covered. I decided to throw caution to the wind. I would rather have two weeks of dreaming about it and lose the money than to have nothing to look forward to. Our family like most of yours needs a break from cancer. Right now all interactions with family and friends are affected by it. I want a cancer free week with my family. I have booked a condo on the ocean in Ft Myers Beach. We are going to do nothing but eat, look at the water, laugh, and make fun of each other. I can't wait! Lisa

good for you
Great that you are booking that vacation.

hey, check out Doc Ford's for a nice lunch or dinner while in Ft. Myers.
good food, and the lower deck there faces the water where the shrimp boats come in each evening.

Doc Fords has awesome seafood and other meals as well.... but it's not to high priced as its a casual place. we were in Ft Myers a week ago for spring break with the kids and we love Doc Fords. Went there two or three times.

and, on Thursday nights... there's this singer/entertainer named Denny Pezzin.
he's entertaining as heck and a real nice time for a Thursday night... if you happen to be there.

Also, in the mornings... there are dolphins usually swimming to the south of the Peir. It was pretty cool and the little ice cream shop (if you're able to still have cold stuff) is a nice little place too.

I agree with having something to look forward too... and to have a few days to "forget about cancer" is always nice. Enjoy your time together... Laugh a lot and enjoy the awe of thsoe sunsets!

my best to you and yours.

Joe