Travel advice

mtmom
mtmom Member Posts: 59
in Breast Cancer #1

Looking for advice. We are getting ready to travel by plane. I am currently stage 4 and going thru chemo. I do have lymphedema and so will be wearing a sleeve. Any other advice to help make the trip smooth?

Thanks!

~Mtmom

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    I dont' think the sleeve

    I dont' think the sleeve would have any affect airport security-

     

    Have a wonderful trip.

     

    Denise

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #3
    Buy the latest copy of your

    Buy the latest copy of your favorite magazine and put it in your bag without opening it at all until you're in the air. Take along snacks like crackers since you never know when you might be queasy or just plain hungry. Enjoy your trip and happy holidays, Anna

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    button2 said:

    Buy the latest copy of your

    Buy the latest copy of your favorite magazine and put it in your bag without opening it at all until you're in the air. Take along snacks like crackers since you never know when you might be queasy or just plain hungry. Enjoy your trip and happy holidays, Anna

    Ask your oncologist or Primary care for a letter

    ask for a letter stated that you are stage IV undergoing Chemo.

    TSA has a patient assistance service and letter could help you and your family use fast track line avoid crowd. 

    happy travel

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #5
    New Flower said:

    Ask your oncologist or Primary care for a letter

    ask for a letter stated that you are stage IV undergoing Chemo.

    TSA has a patient assistance service and letter could help you and your family use fast track line avoid crowd. 

    happy travel

    Thank you

    Thank you, New Flower! That is a great idea. I've gotten neuropathy from the chemo...bloody bugger that Taxotere...and I'm not so steady on my feet. I will get that done.

    :)

    ~Mtmom

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #6
    hand sanitizer

    I'd take something to sanitize your hands, and I'd bring a few wipes in your purse to wipe off the pull down tray in front of you. Also remember to stay hydrated.

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #7
    actually,
    If you call (or online), ask for wheelchair assistance, they will take you thru the fast track and that walk is enough to tire a healthy person. They did not even question me, (could have been the cane). Delta and Southwest have been wonderful with my travels.
    Have a great time. May want to bring a mask , never know if someone near will be coughing, or sick.
    I keep one in my pusre when I travel.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
    Just put this in another post... (I am SO OCD!)

    To The Netherlands!  (Holland). That is a 10-hour flight.  On 3 occasions.

    And now that my beau has a new heart, his immune system will be compromised for the rest of his life from the anti-rejection drugs...

     

    The tips I share are:

    Take antibacterial wipes with you.  As you sit down, wipe down EVERYTHING...tray table, video remote, arm rests.

    If you are checking in with your smart phone....do not give it to the gate person to scan.  Better yet, for this time, print a paper boarding pass before you go....or if you are traveling with someone, hand them the paper boarding pass to hand to the gate person.  If you forget to print it, and need to hand your phone to the gate person, just make sure to wipe it down (the phone, not the gate person *grin*) right away.  Even with a totally healthy immune system, I caught a nasty cold/flu just this way once by surrendering my phone.  And my daughter did, as well....

    If you need to use the toilet, wipe your hands on returning to your seat with an antibacterial wipe.

    Take a mask.  Or two.  If your seat next is occupied with a sneezer/sniffler/cougher, put it ON!

    If that same sneezer finds the need to share by sneezing in your food, buzz the flight attendant, explain the situation of active treatment, and request another meal.  I did this once.  I guess it wasn't enough indication to my seat mate that I was bald.  Sigh....she sneezed not once, but 3 times directly into my food.  In defense, I turned on the air and pointed it so it would blow directly between us (not on either).  She got the hint...

    Ask to pre-board so that you have the least amount of time in a crowd.  Share this early with the airline person at the gate, explaining that you are in active cancer treatment.  Speak up!  It's your health you risk!

    Resist the impulse to touch your eyes/nose with your hands....for the entire trip, not just the flying part!

    Wash your hands often.

    Make sure to do the in-flight stretching that they show.  Also, if possible, get up and walk around.  This will keep the blood flowing everywhere.

     

    Hugs, Kathi

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