Have you gone on holiday on chemo?
Have you gone on holiday on chemo? Hi Everyone
I am new to this, have read various postings and have just decided to join! Its nice to not feel alone but sad that there are so many of us and I wish you all well.
Was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November and had lumpectomy and lymph removal. Very lucky as caught early and grade 3 tumour removed with no spread in December. Have now to start a course of Chemo - FEC (This Weds 10th Jan) followed by Radiotherapy.
In the sceme of things - ie: side effects! this probably seems a silly question to ask but has anyone taken holidays whilst on FEC? If so how early/late in the course of treatment?
This not knowing what to expect lark is a nightmare!!!
Thanks in advance for your help
Juniper xx
holiday Hi Juniper,
i went on holiday between my fifth and sixth session of FEC (had 8 sessions in all) , i did put off session for a week so i had a 4week break instead of 3, my oncologist was fine with this.
I only went on hols in the same country but it did me the world of good, a week away not having to think about it all the time, plenty of rest and it gave me strength to carry on with further sessions.
I found that i felt ill for the first week after chemo and then improved over next 2 weeks, so tried to oganise holidays and weekends away around the 3rd week before next session.
Not sure if i would have gone abroad though, might have been too much.
Good luck with your treatment.
Marg
xx
Hi Juniper,
I had a week’s holiday in this country between my 3rd and 4th FEC, a short business trip to Belgium before my 5th and a holiday in Budapest after my 6th. No problems and no disruption to treatment.
Good luck.
Margaret x
weeknds away are grreat Hi Juniper
I had 1 long weekend away just before starting chemo, where I was able to relax for the first time in weeks, and have had another long weeeknd away, planned to fit in with the " good" days post - chemo. Ater your first 1 or cycles you will know when is best for you.
I had wanted to go abroad, but my Onc was adamant that I should not do this, there are all sorts of insurance complicatison over this - if you do not declare all your current conditions it can negate ANY claim if you need to make one, e.g. for a leg fracture, not related to BC at all.
Good luck, pick a cosy hotel somewhere in UK and have fun!
Photolady
Holiday ? I am also like yourself due to start chemo on the 18th. I want to go to Eurodisney for a week to take our grandson (its his christmas pressie) I did ask the consultant and he did say - see h ow you go on your chemo - and arrange it so that is just before your next one, which sounded quite promising - hope that helps.
Ask your Consultant when you have had a couple of treatments and also you will know yourself what s the best time.
Dolly59 xxx
Thanls for your feedback!! Thank you everyone for all your feedback!!
We have to have these little things in mind to give us something to look forward to but must be realistic at the same time and its great to here that it is possible.
Will see how the 1st dose goes tomorrow and start planning!!
With thanks
Juniper xx
just to add… Hi JuniperG
I have travelled while on chemo but always with my prescription for Ciprofloxacin 500 (or better still the tablets themselves) as the concern is becoming neutropenic and getting an infection. At the first sign of a raised temperature you can start the antibiotics and race back to your home hospital or, if you feel really ill, check in to the nearest hospital (giving them the telephone number of your consultant) and let them help.
Fortunately I have never needed to take my emergency supplies but having them with me is a ‘security blanket’. So have your holiday, if you feel up to it, and enjoy.
Blondie
Chemo holiday Hello Juniper
Just want to echo comments of other postings - and say as long as you are fit, have proper travel insurance (if going abroad) and also have the ‘approval’ of your oncologist (eg check you are fit to travel).
I went to Cyprus whilst on chemo even though I needed post-chemo jabs to boost my whilte blood cells (strangely as post-chemo I’ve forgotten the proper terminology!). My oncologist gave me a supply of antibiotics should I get ill, plus a differnt course if I got an infection in my arm (have no lymph glands so at risk of lymphodema or cellulitis). My insurance company only charged £35 for me and £35 my boyfriend and ensured that any problems I should go to the state hospital who are better equipped than any private doctor. They also advised which countries were safer to go to (ie good health provisions/hospitals etc).
Oh and I also took the several copies of hospital details (ie name, consultant, 24-hour chemo emergency line; name of drugs I was on; chemo regimine etc). My first aid kit also included a very good insect repellent (which didn’t work and I think my chemo-rich blood attracted the blasted mossies even more!)
So - it can be done, just be safe and have a marvellous time!
Morgan xxx