Vacationing and accomodating

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Barbaraek
Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
edited January 2016 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well we are attempting our first vacation since diagnosis and treatment. We finished the last of our tx. in September but fought horrible mucositis and other side effects into October. We are still dealing with severe dry mouth, dry eyes, some fatigue, and using the PEG. But it was time to get out of Dodge - or in our case Buffalo. We opted for a four night stay in Las Vegas...figuring out luck was riding high since we were NED in October. Here are some things I learned about traveling with H & N cancer.

1. Yes you can take powdered mixes like carnation instant breakfast through security. Just bring an empty blender bottle, buy some milk after you get through security and voila! You have a shake to drink.

2. Several airports have "smoothie" places where you can get a smoothie.

3. we packed our isosource for tube feeds in a small checked bag so we wouldn't have to deal with security. Also in the bag was a small magic bullet blender. We bought Boost and creamed soups after we arrived. 

4. Medication (pain meds in our case) stayed with us, no problem with security.

5. Ask the hotel staff for a humidifier- they had one and boy, do we need it here in the desert!

6. My husband always has a bottle of water laced with a tablespoon or two of aloe juice - we put the aloe juice in 3 oz. container to get through security and packed the bigger bottle in checked baggage. Unfortunately, some of that leaked even though it was in a ziplock bag, so double bag! After we got through security we just dumped the aloe juice in the bottle and filled it up with water- good to go.

7. It's tempting to overdo in a new location with lots of attractions - build in rest time.

8. Before you go make a list of medications and paraphernalia you will need so you don't forget anything. I almost forgot the eye drops! And don't forget the contact info for your doctor and your insurance card if you have one.

And most importantly..enjoy the time, the sights, the activities and having another great day on this Earth! Make some good memories to take home for days that aren't so good so you can pull them out of your pocket and smile.

Barbara

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Yes it is Vacation Time

    Go for it is all I can say, I have a letter from my ENT that lets me carry water or any type of nutrition through Air Port security. They will do a patdown and sometimes a full body check but I end up taking everything through. I just flew from the USA to Honduras and had no problems at all, I went by United air lines and they were fantastic how they took care of me because of my hearing. So enjoy your vacation it is what you need after what you been through.

     

    God Bless

    Tim

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
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    Oh yeah!

    I'm so happy you got out of Dodge!  I think everybody should plan something fun to do a few months after treatment ends....it gives you something to look forward to.  I did the same thing....made a list....when I went on my first trip after treatment (actually, it was my first trip in like 8 years and first time on an airplane since before 2001)...so I had to catch up on rules and stuff. 

    But I came home refreshed, and feeling better....and had a wonderful time.

    p

  • the_wife
    the_wife Member Posts: 184
    #4
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    Fun!

    That sounds like so much fun! To tell you the truth, the thought of doing a vacation never even crossed my mind. We've done lots of packing and traveling while hubby was on the tube, but only to the cancer clinic and to stay at relative's. Not fun. :( One time we forgot the pole to hang his bag on. No problem...he found a coat hanger and slipped the end of the bag on that and "hung" it on a picture frame above the bed. I've read that you can also pin the bag loop onto some drapes if need be.

    I hope you both have a fantastic time in Vegas!!! 

     

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #5
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    Vacation

    Boy, you got out of Buffalo at the right time! We're below zero here in Milwaukee too. Enjoy the warmth and drag a little back this way when you come home!

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #6
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    MrsBD said:

    Vacation

    Boy, you got out of Buffalo at the right time! We're below zero here in Milwaukee too. Enjoy the warmth and drag a little back this way when you come home!

    I tried Beth

    but the darn TSA agents in Las Vegas wouldn't let me bring any back - we arrived back in Buffalo just in time for our first lake effect snowstorm. Thankfully...this is NOT our car at the airport!!Lake Erie ice

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