Hi, I am about to start chemo on the Tact2 trial arm 4 on the 17th April but we have a break booked to Spain for our Pearl Wedding anniversary in May and was wondering if I should cancel it. We could really do with this hol as husbands dad has a terminal brain tumor and hasnt got long. What with me and his dad it has been very hectic since October. Has anyone else been abroad while having chemo and has anyone any advice apart from dont go!!!.
Is anyone else out there on arm 4.
Thanks in anticipation.
Sue x
I’m having Epi-CMF which started yesterday and my oncologist said I am not to travel abroad during treatment in case an infection develops for any reason and immediate hospital treatment could be necessary. Was invited to a friend’s house in France in June and sadly had to decline. I’d suggest asking your oncologist, who knows your situation well enough to advise you. Good luck, I hope you can go! Lyn xx
hi
i too was told not to go…and am glad i didnt coz i ended up in hospital with infection.i,m so sorry
regards karen
I was due to go to Poland this weekend for Son& daughter in laws wedding blessing and new grandaughters christening BUT onc said NO for same reason
as Lyn & Karen. I am on Epi Cmf Also said you probably would’nt get any one to insure you neither.
Love Bobbie
Hi Sue
I’m also on the TACT2 Trial Arm 4. I will be having my second Epi on Monday. To give you encouragement, I’ve found having this treatment accelerated to be great. I’ve had very few side effects - just a bit of spaciness for 3 days and that’s that! This last week (my second week before the next Epi) has seen me doing normal things - I’ve felt absolutely well and normal. Whether or not this continues remains to be seen.
I’m going to Dieppe in a couple of week’s time for an overnight stay. I’m going during what should be my ‘good’ week. I checked with the clinical trials nurse and she agreed to me going based on how I’m managing so far. Obviously, the challenge is to ensure that I’m insured and this will be expensive in relation to the trip I’m doing. But what the heck! It’s worth it.
I’d advise you to talk to your Oncologist and Clinical Trials Nurse to see what they think. It might be advisable to see how you are for the first cycle and then decide from there.
Good luck with starting the trial and I hope you manage it well!
Regards
Gill
Thanks for the advice girls and you to Gill, you sound very much like me.
My Oncologist said we could work round it if necessary, and I thought I would wait to see how I am after first 1 although I know I might not be the same with the second. We are insured with the stroke assoc. as hubby had a stroke last year and they were the only ones who insure him and very reasonably (£175 for annual with 2 granchildren added). They said they would be no increase if I wasnt having any further treatment but havent yet asked about insurance with chemo. Will give them a ring again to see if it would be worth it. They are very good and will insure no matter what the condition is.
Thanks for all your replies.
Sue
HI Sue
I didnt have the same chemo as you , had 3 fec and 3 tax but I went to France skiing betwen chemo 5 and 6. I had to make sure that I had 14 days after the last chemo before I took the flight but we just planned it in . I had a 4 week gap until my last chemo but I was told it was fine.
I had the opposite opinion from my onc and chemo nurse. They said definitely not to cancel and that it was a good thing to look forward to. I was fine when away , felt almost normal being around people who had no idea of my situation .
best of luck
cally x
Hi Sue and Cally
Yes, I think getting away is important. To be able to have some normality is crucial for our wellbeing - it’s great Cally that your onc and chemo nurse were so supportive. Good one!
Sue, excellent regards the insurance. So there should be nothing to stop you!
I’ve got a list of insurance companies now and will start phoning them this week. I’m quite confident that I’ll get something sorted and it’s encouraging that there are companies out there. One that I’ll be trying because I’ve heard good things about them is Freedom Insurance. I shall see if they’re as good as I hope!
Regards
Gill