Has anyone gone on a vacation on a plane while on chemotherapy

antcat
antcat Member Posts: 270
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has flown while undergoing chemotherapy. I would like to go away but there was an article in a cancer magazine advising people with cancer and flying to be very careful. Apparently, the problem comes about when their counts go down low and the air on a plane is not very good. My primary doc told me today that it wasn't really advisable because 98% of people that fly usually come down with a cold and a person whose immune system is compromised due to chemotherapy is more at risk. So, it was a little disappointing but I don't think I would want to get sick.

I was just wondering if anyone else flew and if they had any problems while undergoing chemotherapy.

Comments

  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #2
    Yes,
    several times, but had my blood checked before I went and got the ok from my doc.
    k
  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367
    #3
    I flew!
    I live in Ohio and went to Florida after 6 months of chemo (2 hour flight). I had no problems and no one said not to go. They even rearranged my chemo days so I could go and feel good while there.
    And then in my eighth month of chemo I flew to Arizona ( about 4 hours ?). Again no one said not to go and made sure my chemo schedule did not interfere. I got no colds etc. but I was worried on the long flight about DVT's.( Blood clots in the lower legs from sitting so long.) I meant to wear compression stockings but of course I forgot them so I just made sure I got a seat on the aisle and stood up occasionally and did ankle pumps and such to keep the circulation going. Also tried to walk briskly in the airport for 1/2 hour before boarding the plane.
    I also went by car to Washington DC and to Charleston, South Carolina. Not bad for a sick woman huh?
    I had no problems.....it was good for the spirit....hope you go and have a great time! I dont plan to give in to this disease!
  • rose_marie
    rose_marie Member Posts: 75
    #4
    Air Travel
    My doctor told me not to fly due to the air quality in the cabin. There is always someone with a slight cold or caugh. Especially the children. Not a good idea, if you want my opinion.

    Rosemarie
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #5
    flying
    I flew from California to Colorado to get home after my surgery and three rounds of chemo. I wore a mask on the plane and in the airport. The doctor also recommended I get an injection to prevent blood clots before I flew.
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    #6
    My doctor said...No
    I asked me doctor if I could fly and he told me "No". He said there were too many germs on a plane. So I haven't flown. But I sure would like to.

    Linda
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231 Member
    #7
    I Flew
    I was in the middle of chemo and flew to Maui 51/2 hr flight there and back 2 weeks later ...no problems. Did wear a mask per my onc/gyn. I think the vacation was worth the slight chance.
    ((Hugs))
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #8
    JoanC said:

    I Flew
    I was in the middle of chemo and flew to Maui 51/2 hr flight there and back 2 weeks later ...no problems. Did wear a mask per my onc/gyn. I think the vacation was worth the slight chance.
    ((Hugs))

    My mother-in-law died just
    My mother-in-law died just weeks into my initial chemo. I flew from DFW to Chicago, then to W VA. We came back home two days later. My doctor said he saw no reason to "ground" me.

    Carlene
  • lauripiper
    lauripiper Member Posts: 28
    #9
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    My mother-in-law died just
    My mother-in-law died just weeks into my initial chemo. I flew from DFW to Chicago, then to W VA. We came back home two days later. My doctor said he saw no reason to "ground" me.

    Carlene

    flying
    I flew twice, once during chemo and once just after. I think it varies by your immune system response. Ask your dr. where your levels are and if they are extremely low then probably not a good idea. Mine were low but not excessively so and I didn't have a problem. It was nervewracking though! I completely expected to get sick but never did.
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #10
    air travel
    I flew twice, once to get to MDA after chemo #2, and once to Baltimore after chemo #5. Chlorox wipes in a purse packet were my best friends. I disinfected everything I touched in my seat area and kept my hands away from my face. I didn't have any problems with illness. There are fewer kids on planes midweek, I think, but maybe not in the summer.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #11
    pattysoo said:

    air travel
    I flew twice, once to get to MDA after chemo #2, and once to Baltimore after chemo #5. Chlorox wipes in a purse packet were my best friends. I disinfected everything I touched in my seat area and kept my hands away from my face. I didn't have any problems with illness. There are fewer kids on planes midweek, I think, but maybe not in the summer.

    I went to Punta Cana 'between chemo infusions'.
    I'd make my decision based on how you honestly feel. If you're not up to par, it might not bbe worth it. But if you feel pretty good......GO!

    At the time I flew to the Dominican Republic with my son for a short vacation, I was getting Avastin every other week, and taking Cytoxin in pill form daily. I made the trip a week after (and a week before) my Avastin infusions, and took my Cytoxin pills with me to take. I was worried about the flight, but I wore compression socks, and am pleased to report that I was able to take long walks on the beach and eat fairly exotic food, and had no trouble at all. I felt good and thought it was worth the gamble. My oncologist did blood labs the week before when I was in for my infusion, and said that I should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day and take it easy on the night life, and I stuck with his recommendations.
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #12
    lindaprocopio said:

    I went to Punta Cana 'between chemo infusions'.
    I'd make my decision based on how you honestly feel. If you're not up to par, it might not bbe worth it. But if you feel pretty good......GO!

    At the time I flew to the Dominican Republic with my son for a short vacation, I was getting Avastin every other week, and taking Cytoxin in pill form daily. I made the trip a week after (and a week before) my Avastin infusions, and took my Cytoxin pills with me to take. I was worried about the flight, but I wore compression socks, and am pleased to report that I was able to take long walks on the beach and eat fairly exotic food, and had no trouble at all. I felt good and thought it was worth the gamble. My oncologist did blood labs the week before when I was in for my infusion, and said that I should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day and take it easy on the night life, and I stuck with his recommendations.

    Thank you everyone
    Thank you everyone for your replies. I spoke with my oncologist and he said "to go". So, that's what I'm going to do. I don't want the cancer to rule my life especially since it doesn't want to leave me. I see my primary care doc weekly because I'm on blood thinners and he also checks my blood counts every week, for I'm in good hands with him.

    I do have a question though, for Linda, why did you have to wear compression socks? Was it a long flight, mine is only 2 hours but not sure if I would need to look into wearing these socks. They also might be a good idea for my dad, as he has knee problems and will probably be coming with us.

    Thank you again.
  • pjdreams
    pjdreams Member Posts: 77
    #13
    go and enjoy life !!
    I travel while on chemo whenever possible. Enjoy !!
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #14
    pjdreams said:

    go and enjoy life !!
    I travel while on chemo whenever possible. Enjoy !!

    So glad you're going! LIVE! about the compression socks.....
    When I finished my initial treatment protocol and was in my 1st remission, I took an 11-hour flight to Greece with my husband. For that trip I bought 5 pair of 'travel socks', (mild non-prescription grade compression socks I saw in a catalogue). I had 25 lymph nodes removed during my initial surgery, and had just finished adjuvent external pelvic radiation, and I was concerned about lymphodema with all the walking planned and the long flight. These 'travel socks' made my legs feel so much better.

    I did eventually develop very mild lymphodema in my ankles and saw a lymphodema specialist over a year ago. If you faithfully wear compression garments, the specialist told me that you can keep the swelling from ever getting worse, so I have made a point of wearing compression socks (in a prescription grade) ever since. They make pretty ones that look just like trouser socks and somewhat 'sheer' knee high ones (somewhat) that I wear with capris in the summer that don't look too bad. I feel my pro-active approach has kept my mild lymphodema in check all this time. You won't be sorry if you wear 'travel' socks for the flight; they really make your legs feel great, lymphodema or not.
  • Kelita66
    Kelita66 Member Posts: 3
    #15
    After the 3 rd treatment
    After the 3 rd treatment when I knew what and when would be happening to me I flew. I made sure my counts were ok and only took a week long trip.
  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367
    #16
    antcat said:

    Thank you everyone
    Thank you everyone for your replies. I spoke with my oncologist and he said "to go". So, that's what I'm going to do. I don't want the cancer to rule my life especially since it doesn't want to leave me. I see my primary care doc weekly because I'm on blood thinners and he also checks my blood counts every week, for I'm in good hands with him.

    I do have a question though, for Linda, why did you have to wear compression socks? Was it a long flight, mine is only 2 hours but not sure if I would need to look into wearing these socks. They also might be a good idea for my dad, as he has knee problems and will probably be coming with us.

    Thank you again.

    compression stockings
    I am so glad you are going to go! I intended to wear compression stockings on the longer flights to increase the circulation to the veins in the legs. It helps prevent deep vein thrombosis. I didnt think too much about it on the 2 hour flights. If you are on blood thinners, it may not be a problem. You could check with the doctor to see what he thinks before you go, have your blood counts checked and you should be good to go. I think it will bring some normalcy to your life and raise your spirits.

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