I have decided to opt for ANC procedure and the surgeon wants to operate within the next 31 days however I am in a dilemma as I booked a holiday to take mid July for 2 weeks to Europe before I was diagnosed earlier March time
The surgeon has suggested that I cancel the holiday as I won’t be able to travel/ fly post op due to DVT / blood clots or any other complications which is understandable so if I had the op before mid July I definitely would not be able to travel.
I explained to surgeon that I really wanted to go and not miss out as this is my only opportunity taking a holiday this year and said she would postpone the op until after I return ( end July) however it would be at my own risk
I am not sure know whether wanting to get away is the right thing and whether it makes sense like she said to cancel the holiday and just concentrate on my health - not sure what she means by her saying it’s at your own risk ?? Ie that the cancer could spread further ( although SNB showed there being cancer cells in one node only ) and would be better operating as soon as possible ( we are only talking about an additional 2 weeks here and not months down the line or does she means that im still recovering from recent op had mid May however recovery period would have been 2 months before I depart
Some of my friends / family have said go on holiday break will do you good while some friends were concerned about my health and said cancel the holiday / have the op/ go on holiday after when all treatments have been completed however this will be many months down the line
Any thoughts? X
Hello
What a horrible dilema!
I was in a similar position back in 2014. I was just diagnosed and had a holiday booked a few weeks later. The surgeon told me it was fine for me to go away as it would take a couple of weeks at least for him to arrange all the CT scans etc that I needed before the mastectomy.
If the surgeon had told me or advised me not to go I would have listened to him and not gone but I went and then the day after I came back I had all my scans with about a week and a half and the surgery was a few weeks later.
Each case is different and we have to trust what our own medical team advise us.
You can have lots of other holidays in the future. If he has advised you not to go would you really be able to enjoy it anyway?
If you are still keen to go, have a chat with your breast care nurse (in fact have a chat with her anyway) and see what her thoughts are?
Have you got holiday insurance?
I would trust what your medical team are advising as you don’t want to be worrying about this in the future!
The above is just my thoughts though and we all have to make our own decisions!
All the best!
MM
x
If I were you I would go! If you need to follow up with chemo it could be months before you get another chance. Go and enjoy yourself!!!
Good morning ladies and thank you for your responses
The circumstances seem little different for you MM as I presume you hadn’t gone through any ops beforehand ? so it was a matter of the consultant arranging the scans / surgery etc
For me I am still recovering from WLE & SNB and had a few complications where I developed a haematona and still waiting on it plus scars to fully heal . It’s been a month now since my operation however the holiday is booked in a months time
I spoke to my BC nurse yesterday and she explained that hospitals work to strict deadlines and time schedules this why they say any medical ops will be within 31 days and they don’t like deviating from 31 days unless there is a good reason.
I have read up and understand that within 4-6 weeks after surgery there is risk of DVT/ blood clots etc however I haven’t had surgery or knee or leg areas so don’t think this will apply plus I am walking around freely now and there is full movement in my arm .
Most airlines require confirmation that you are fit to fly so I’m hoping that I will be as it will be 2 months before fly out . I will discuss with my doctor on Monday whether I would be fit to fly so I can notify the airline / medical insurers
Fingers crossed , all will be ok
I will take any extra precautions whilst I’m abroad like using sun screen / block on affected areas, cover these areas up , staying fully hydrated and if need be wearing PE stockings
Xx
Hi I was diagnosed with idc in Late April and the surgery was scheduled for 10th May however I had a holiday booked to Dubai leaving on, 15th. Surgeon was fine said a week or so would not make any difference and that we could rearrange for the 23rd which we did. Not the best time away with the worry of surgery etc at back of my mind most of the time but so glad I went. I don’t regret going and would just say go enjoy and face surgery when you are back x