radiation VS. cruise

Sharon40
Sharon40 Member Posts: 93
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all,
We have planned a cruise in April - been planning since July. Back then, all doctors were sure we'd be through by then. Well, it's now Feb. and I haven't even started Radiation. I had to cancel my CT scan yesterday because I can't get my arm above my head!!! I had mastectomy 3 weeks ago (tomorrow). I am working with a PT, but I lost a lot of my range. I think I am close, but so worried!! If I can't do it by Wednesday, then I won't be able to start rads in time to finish BEFORE April 10th.

So depressed! My Mom and Dad, Sister and her family and my family are all planning on going. It has given us all something to talk about beside "CANCER". We have talked about the other "C" word . . . cruise! I am just sick thinking of telling them that we are going to have to postpone it!! My radiation doctor said even if we finish in time, I am NOT going to want to go because I will feel so bad. OMG . . . what next!!! Will this EVER freakin end?? OHHHH . . . sorry to vent, just so discouraged.
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Comments

  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #2
    OK, Don't get your nightie
    OK, Don't get your nightie in a knot,LOL. I had a lumpectomy on July 30th. I never started my RADs until Oct 20th! I finished them Dec 17th. I didn't have RADs for a week since I was in the hospital for dehydration. So, it is doable.
    I was supposed to start my RADS in September, BUT, I was waiting on the Oncotype DX, then I found out I had to have suspicious lumps removed from my LEFT armpit area, my lumpectomy was on my right breast. Well, I was going to get my hernia repaired, so they did them both Oct 8th. I wasn't able or feeling up to more surgery until Oct 20th. So that's why my RADs were delayed.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
    Talk to your radiologist
    I'd talk to my Radiologist and see what options you have. You might be able to start rads and take 'a vacation' from them while the rest of you cruises.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    Talk to your radiologist
    I'd talk to my Radiologist and see what options you have. You might be able to start rads and take 'a vacation' from them while the rest of you cruises.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    Talk to your radiologist
    I'd talk to my Radiologist and see what options you have. You might be able to start rads and take 'a vacation' from them while the rest of you cruises.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #6
    Rague said:

    Talk to your radiologist
    I'd talk to my Radiologist and see what options you have. You might be able to start rads and take 'a vacation' from them while the rest of you cruises.

    I don't like your radiologist very much....
    Surely they can work WITH you, can't they? I haven't gotten to my Rads yet, either, and I was detected on July 1st, so I'm right there with you. I would ask to put it off until after the cruise if it was me. You'll be so much more ready for it, stronger and more rested and HAPPIER! Come on! Is it THAT important to do the rads so quickly? and does it have to be done consecutively, or can you take a break in the middle? I'm not the one to answer, but it sure seems like it should be doable. Good luck! and God bless.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #7
    Mama G said:

    I don't like your radiologist very much....
    Surely they can work WITH you, can't they? I haven't gotten to my Rads yet, either, and I was detected on July 1st, so I'm right there with you. I would ask to put it off until after the cruise if it was me. You'll be so much more ready for it, stronger and more rested and HAPPIER! Come on! Is it THAT important to do the rads so quickly? and does it have to be done consecutively, or can you take a break in the middle? I'm not the one to answer, but it sure seems like it should be doable. Good luck! and God bless.

    Your rads oncologist can
    Your rads oncologist can advise you if it would be ok to wait. I would say it probably would be, but, I am not the doctor. I hope you can go on your cruise!
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    #8
    i'd take the cruise

    no really, find out if there is a way to do both. It seems like the cruise would do you good, wonders for your well-being and is important too.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #9
    mariam_11_09 said:

    i'd take the cruise

    no really, find out if there is a way to do both. It seems like the cruise would do you good, wonders for your well-being and is important too.

    You didn't say how long the
    You didn't say how long the cruise was for. If it's only 1 week I'd go. I was in rads during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years and my team didn't have a problem with me missing days. One of those weeks the computers were down so I missed 3 days. I just had to make it up at the end.

    Now about not feeling well enough to go????? I don't know why you wouldn't feel well enough. You may be burned but I would think being on a ship would be wonderful theraphy. Along with a lot of people on this board I worked throughout my rad treatments (I had 35). If I'm well enough to go to work you can bet I'd be well enough for a cruise.

    Good luck with your decision.
    Sher
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #10
    Sher43009 said:

    You didn't say how long the
    You didn't say how long the cruise was for. If it's only 1 week I'd go. I was in rads during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years and my team didn't have a problem with me missing days. One of those weeks the computers were down so I missed 3 days. I just had to make it up at the end.

    Now about not feeling well enough to go????? I don't know why you wouldn't feel well enough. You may be burned but I would think being on a ship would be wonderful theraphy. Along with a lot of people on this board I worked throughout my rad treatments (I had 35). If I'm well enough to go to work you can bet I'd be well enough for a cruise.

    Good luck with your decision.
    Sher

    Sher makes a good point
    I also did rads through the holidays, and no one seemed concerned that the rad center was closed for four straight days for the Thanksgiving weekend. So, if the cruise is only for a week, your doctor may be fine with that.

    Traci
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #11
    Sharon, I'll be the devil's
    Sharon, I'll be the devil's advocate here and say that the most important thing right now is YOU and your treatment. If it's not possible to postpone the rads or take a week off, just go ahead and have the treatments as planned and postpone your cruise. You'll still get to go on the cruise and if it's at the end of your treatments just think of the wonderful celebration that will be. Good luck with the rest of your treatments and keep looking forward to that cruise. ((((Hugs))))
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #12
    MyTurnNow said:

    Sharon, I'll be the devil's
    Sharon, I'll be the devil's advocate here and say that the most important thing right now is YOU and your treatment. If it's not possible to postpone the rads or take a week off, just go ahead and have the treatments as planned and postpone your cruise. You'll still get to go on the cruise and if it's at the end of your treatments just think of the wonderful celebration that will be. Good luck with the rest of your treatments and keep looking forward to that cruise. ((((Hugs))))

    I would think only delaying
    I would think only delaying your rads for a week would alright. Just talk to your rads oncologist. I bet you get to go! If you do, have a great time!

    Sue :)
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    Ritzy said:

    I would think only delaying
    I would think only delaying your rads for a week would alright. Just talk to your rads oncologist. I bet you get to go! If you do, have a great time!

    Sue :)

    I would ask the onc the
    I would ask the onc the consequences of delaying. a bit. I am sure others delay it for other reasons. I am delaying it because Ineed 2 surgeries. I dont want to dealy to long because i want to kill any cells that may remain. In the beginning I delayed my surgery to take my summer vacation. they were very accomodating. It allowed me to feel like I still had a life and was a mental boost. The feeling of not giving up everything for this. I hope it works out. sounds like it would do you so much good.
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 Member Posts: 203
    #14
    carkris said:

    I would ask the onc the
    I would ask the onc the consequences of delaying. a bit. I am sure others delay it for other reasons. I am delaying it because Ineed 2 surgeries. I dont want to dealy to long because i want to kill any cells that may remain. In the beginning I delayed my surgery to take my summer vacation. they were very accomodating. It allowed me to feel like I still had a life and was a mental boost. The feeling of not giving up everything for this. I hope it works out. sounds like it would do you so much good.

    treatment
    A good treatment plan has to include the body, mind and spirit. For 2 out of 3, I'd say try to go on the cruise with your family. Bonvoyage!
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #15
    Ginger or MaryAnn???
    I agree, mental health is as important, if not more so than our physical! If your rads oncologist gives you the go ahead, go ahead!!! As long as the Cruise ship isn't the SS Minnow, and there is no mention of the cruise being 3 hours, I think you're safe!

    Let us know what your rads onco doc says and take pictures on the ship! Bon Voyage!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #16
    chenheart said:

    Ginger or MaryAnn???
    I agree, mental health is as important, if not more so than our physical! If your rads oncologist gives you the go ahead, go ahead!!! As long as the Cruise ship isn't the SS Minnow, and there is no mention of the cruise being 3 hours, I think you're safe!

    Let us know what your rads onco doc says and take pictures on the ship! Bon Voyage!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    I know what I'd do but
    I know what I'd do but everyone has to make their own decisions. We had planned a trip to Florida all last year with our children and grandchildren, going in Jan this year. I was dxed in Sept., put on hormone therapy, and finally the tumors had slightly shrunk so we were talking about scheduling the surgery. I asked both my onc and surgeon if it made any difference if I had the surgery in Jan. or Feb. and they said NO. So off we went to Florida, had a great time, feel better, recouped some energy, got a little sun and will be having my surgery in a couple of weeks. Hopefully you can take your cruise. Let us know what your drs say. Hugs and prayers!
  • kathyDDD
    kathyDDD Member Posts: 34
    #17
    Talk to your radiologist
    I too had a weird schedule during rads. My radiologist was remarkable at working around it. The number of treatments is set and nothing says they have to be exactly every day. Any day you miss can just be taked on later. I certainly would sit down and talk with them before making any major decision. You certainly deserve to take and enjoy your cruise. Good luck woth your decision.

    Kathy
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #18
    Sharon as so many ladies
    Sharon as so many ladies have said, mental health is also important. I'm hoping there is a way they can work out some sort of schedule so you dont have to miss that cruise you have been so looking forward to taking.

    I'm still going thru chemo, and my onc has worked with me so I can fly to NC for my granddaughters first birthday end of Feb. We postponed my next chemo for a week later.

    After all, we are going thru this so we can live our lives. Cruises and vacations are a part of living our lives.

    Please dont be discouraged. Be proactive and see what you can work out. I'm praying we can say Bon Voyage to you and your family this April.
  • DianaLou
    DianaLou Member Posts: 30
    #19
    Sharon, I was in a
    Sharon, I was in a situation very similar to yours. We had booked and paid for a cruise 3 months before my diagnosis of DCIS. The cruise was the light at the end of my tunnel. I told my doctors about the cruise as soon as I got the diagosis. Beginning in October I had a ductogram, and 2 lumpectomies, followed by 7 weeks of radiation. I finished rads on 1-15 and left for my cruise on 1-22. Yes, I was tired, but it was so GREAT to finally feel normal again after all that. A good thing about a cruise is you can be as active (or not) as you want to be. I am praying it all will work out for you.

    Hugs, Diana
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #20
    DianaLou said:

    Sharon, I was in a
    Sharon, I was in a situation very similar to yours. We had booked and paid for a cruise 3 months before my diagnosis of DCIS. The cruise was the light at the end of my tunnel. I told my doctors about the cruise as soon as I got the diagosis. Beginning in October I had a ductogram, and 2 lumpectomies, followed by 7 weeks of radiation. I finished rads on 1-15 and left for my cruise on 1-22. Yes, I was tired, but it was so GREAT to finally feel normal again after all that. A good thing about a cruise is you can be as active (or not) as you want to be. I am praying it all will work out for you.

    Hugs, Diana

    Talk to your rads oncologist
    Talk to your rads oncologist and explain all of this to him. I bet you will be sailing away on your cruise and take rads later. Let us know what your doc says.

    Megan
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #21
    MyTurnNow said:

    Sharon, I'll be the devil's
    Sharon, I'll be the devil's advocate here and say that the most important thing right now is YOU and your treatment. If it's not possible to postpone the rads or take a week off, just go ahead and have the treatments as planned and postpone your cruise. You'll still get to go on the cruise and if it's at the end of your treatments just think of the wonderful celebration that will be. Good luck with the rest of your treatments and keep looking forward to that cruise. ((((Hugs))))

    I lost a week of RADS when i
    I lost a week of RADS when i was in the hospital for dehydration related to my diagnosis of Celiac disease. Actually, I think it saved me from getting burned. I really didn't burn with my RADs at all. It hurts me to know that so many of your wonderful ladies went through so much pain and discomfort!

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