Traveling during treatment

vickiek811
vickiek811 Member Posts: 20
in Breast Cancer #1

Is it safe to travel while undergoing radiation treatment?  I ask because my son lives 1300 miles away and I would love to fly out to see him soon (his birthday is today and I wish I was there to celebrate with him).  I'm more interested in how safe air travel is while undergoing radiation.

I was told even with radiation (and the cancer diagnosis itself) the immune system is compromised and it may not be safe to travel while going through the treatment.

Thank you for your responses.  Lots of questions are now popping into my brain.  

Vickie

 

 

Comments

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
    Vickie, I have a friend who

    Vickie, I have a friend who traveled home every weekend throughout her radiation to be wirth her family (we live 500 miles from the best treatment center). So she flew home and back every weekend for 6 weeks with no problems. I think you should take measures to avoid infection like hand washing and wearing a mask on the plane since it would be annoying to get sick right now. But as always, ask the doctors for advice. Hugs, Anna

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    I traveled...even during chemo and rads....

    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.

    Ask your doctor about preventative stuff you can do.

    Ask your doctor.

    ENJOY!

    ENJOY!

     

    The great thing about traveling to a home is that you don't have to additionally deal with the hotel thing.  But if you need to rent a car, use the wipes as you did on the airplane.  Also, explain to your son, et al, that if there is a youngster that has the sniffles, etc, to let you know.  And not be offended if you don a mask...it could be your health at stake.

     

    Hugs, Kathi

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