First Chemo/Summer Vacation

I finished four cycles of Adriamycin/Cytoxan last week. The cycles were 3 weeks apart, and I would have been fine traveling during the last two weeks of each cycle. That first week can be a little unpredictable, and I, too, just rested quietly whenever necessary. Taxotere is my next stop, also every 3 weeks. Then onto radiation. I was considering the idea of topping it all off with a fabulous trip, and would have liked to do the Alaskan cruise.....the BIG one, 3 weeks long. However, treatments end during winter.

Hello Kathy:

I think that you'll better know how you feel about traveling, about 2 weeks after your first treatment. So many of us feel fine after that first week, post treatment. It's amazing, really. Some, however, experience a sharp drop in blood counts and that would necessitate more care and precautionary measures on your part. If you're experiencing no problems and your doctor agrees, by all means, you should maintain whatever level of activity/trips and socializing you feel up to. Your body will tell you when it's too much.

I'm not sure about the CMF but with the Adriamycin, in particular, one must be very careful about sun exposure. Nothing that a big hat and the proper clothing won't take care of though. My chemo was A/C and during the summer months (bonus: it's great not to have to shave the legs!) I found that I could be outside for longer periods during the day, by wearing the gauze type, longer sleeved, loose fitting tops (cool and comfy) with long, loose fitting pants and slathering sun block on any exposed skin...mostly hands and feet. Too, there's almost always a shady spot to hang out in. I even continued my love of gardening...with a few modifications. I grew veggies in pots. I'd do the watering, etc., later in the day when my husband and son would move them into the shade for me. I even grew cucumbers in pots and they honestly never tasted so good! I never traveled more than 3 hours from home though. Just my particular comfort level. Where there's a will there's a way!

Do watch out for cuts and scrapes which may not heal as well and can expose you to unnecessary infection. A little extra TLC and common sense is all that's needed in that department. Your doc should be able to answer any questions you may have and give you excellent guidance.

Wising you the best of luck!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

rainyday said:

We have a vacation trip planned during my third chemo session. Its already paid for and non-refundable and we can't change the dates because the cottage is fully booked. So... because it will fall during the middle of a first week after chemo we are going to bring the third chemo session forward by a few days, assuming that blood counts are all strong, so that I will be starting my second week when I go on vacation. There are not a lot of people about and the cottage is on the ocean so chances are I won't be exposed to much. My sons are really counting the days so I would feel terrible if they can't go (and no, they won't go and leave me here). Just takes a little planning with you and your medical team. Don't let a little chemo get in the way of your life. Best Wishes for your first treatment. Let us know how it goes and listen to everyone's advice. Most of these ladies have already been there and done that!!!!

Hi I agree with the others see how you feel and go from there. During the A/C I don't know how I would have felt. I was also on 5FU and did go on a vacation after one of the treatments. That was 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. We only went a little while away. It was nice to get out. It was also nearing my last treatment. Good Luck. Will be praying for you. Sandy

I just had my first RX and am set to go for the next one in a day or two. I felt really great after my first one. I went to the gym the next day and lifted 19,000 pounds (not all at once of course) and still felt like I could do more. The lifting did however effect my arm (where 18 lymph nodes had been removed just the month before)so I decided not to try that again for a while.
I do what I can to keep up with my daily routine and I find it is an up and down experience. I would not really want to plan a vacation right now because it would not be as enjoyable for me at this time. However, that does not mean that I do not take little trips. A drive in the car to a place that gets my mind off things is really nice. I hope to plan more of those this summer. Like you, this is not the way I would have choosen to spend my summer, but like you I will get through this.