I was diagnosed with breast cancer March 2009, had chemo, masectomy/ reconstruction, now on zolodex/ tamoxifen. Before breast cancer days I always was a great planner, and loved booking my holidays abroad months in advance. We had to cancel a holiday to Greece booked as I was having treatment. Then the insurance company covered it and refunded the cost of the holiday. Since then I have booked last minute and traveled with a policy that excludes breast cancer. I am now beating myself up mentally as I would like to book a holiday for early next year, but fear that if I do, the breast cancer will return and we will loose a lot of money if I can’t make the holiday. Its not just the money it’s making that committment months in advance, and accepting you will be OK. Has anyone else been in this situation, or feels this way? Any advice from people would be appreciated. Thanks
Have a look at dr peter harveys article on the cancer counselling trusts website about life after treatment has ended. He says that he knows people are ready to move on when they have the confidence to book a holiday some time into the future. Seems you are normal! Hope you can pysch up enough confidence to book it. Maybe get insurance which covers bc just to put your mind at ease a bit more?
I know exactly what you mean about planning in advance. Like you I always had my holidays planned the previous year but that changed with my dx of BC in May 08. We did go on holiday last year and this year but booked last minute. Now (2 and a half years out) I am already planning next year’s hols. I feel more comfortable looking ahead and making plans more than a couple of months in advance.
Last year I paid a ridiculous amount for travel insurance in order to have BC included (wouldn’t have felt confident going otherwise) but now I have an annual policy with EHIC Plus which cost 40 pounds and covers BC. It basically supplements the EHIC card but covers all the usual things - cancellation, repatriation, delays, baggage etc. Of course it only covers the EU but we’re more than happy to stay ‘local’ for a couple more years.
You sound just like me. I was also diagnosed in Mar 09 and had mx,chemo and rads. I’m triple neg so not on any further treatment. I have always enjoyed travelling and planning holidays well ahead.
I can’t do that any more. At the start of this year I booked a holiday that was 2 months ahead. In July I booked for a trip leaving in 3 weeks time so that was a 4 month gap. It is only now that I am letting myself believe I will definitely be going.
Insurance becomes such an issue doesn’t it. I used to get a cheap annual policy and not think too much about it. I have got insurance for this trip that includes BC (used Insure pink) as I am going outside Europe. Decided to grit my teeth and pay the premium as it gave me the confidence to go ahead with the booking.
The uncertainty of life makes me feel I should take all the holidays I can while I am fit and mobile and able to enjoy them.
Hope you get to go away and have a great time.
Joss
Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions. I am def going to give all those insurance companies a call, and get cover. My bank account insurance company would not cover me for anything to do with BC, not even loading the policy, I thought it would be really expensive, which it might still be, but is worth a go. It’s nice to know others feel the same about thinking about things like holidays in the future. Thanks Boo
Does anybody know anyone who has successfully flown abroad with an expander implant in? I would love to defy nurse’s orders…
It’s lovely to hear the thoughts of people who obviously love to fly away! - we sound like caged birds! the idea of holidays and family reunions takes your mind off aches and pains and money stuff though - in the best way!
My question is about the wisdom (or foolhardiness perhaps) of doing a long haul flight to Sinagpore, insurance or no, with my expander implant in, and just about at maximum fullness. What will happen to the implant when I’m up in the air for 12 hours??! I had to check with the breast care team at the hospital that implants can travel and that the saline won’t explode!
But - the breast nurse has just told me not to book anything; although if I have booked already, not to worry…it sounds to me as if she is saying that the problems that might occur are about developing soreness and how to cope with things like that when far away…
hi
i spoke to my specialist and apparently its fine to fly in an aircraft with tissue expander but not safe to go in a hot air balloon all due to different air pressure (good job we dont need to go in a hot air balloon!!)
also very intersting is that i need an mri scan but they wont do it as i have metal in my body from the tissue expander which i was not aware of (the valve) i asked the question about being stopped at security at the aiport and he suggested i take a letter from the specialist!
I’ve just booked a holiday to the Canaries at the start of December, and I’m now starting to panic about travel insurance.
I was diagnosed in April 2009, had mx, chemo and have been on Tamoxifen for a year… I had my recon 9 weeks ago and I have a tissue expander in. I am totally unsure of what to do. I usually have my travel insurance covered by my bank account but I’m guessing that they wont go near me with a barge pole!! I never even thought about having metal in me, when I go through security… eeek!
I keep hearing about Insure Pink… is this a good company to go with do you think?
hi
i went to that insurance and was really expensive i went with insure with and i too am going to tenerife in december they charged me £30!!! cant remember the number but its on a thread of travel insurance on here as i posted it as was v impressed with them
Hi ive used insurepink this year and i was only 3 weeks from chemo and still had rads to do and tamoxifen it was £50 for me and my hubby for 1 week and it included cover for BC if i was ill ( some dont) so be carefull x Julie