It’s my first time of posting on here so barewith! I’m due a single mastectomy and lymph node removal within the next 4 weeks. I have one last chemo treatment left, then its onto surgery and then 3 weeks of radiotherapy. I’ll basically be finished treatment at the end of June, depending on how I heal etc.
My reason for posting, my surgery is due the end of April (could be sooner if my Oncologist chooses not to give me my final dose of Chemo). I’m due to fly to Thailand on the 23rd July for a much needed break with my family, what shall I do? postpone it? or go for it? have others out there managed to get away this soon after surgery (roughly 12 weeks recovery). This sounds a bit snobby but my family paid for me to be Upgraded to First Class, so I have a little bed and plenty of room to move around on the 16hr flight. I’m just so torn with what to do, I want to be safe but I also want my family to have a holiday they so desperately need.
Hi Pippop. I had my mastectomy on 25th September 2014 and then flew to Malta for a holiday at beginning of November 2014 about 5 weeks after surgery and before I had my radiotherapy. Just check with your doctors re timeframe as my radiotherapy was 10 weeks after my surgery and lasted 3 weeks. Have a great time away. X
Crikey I hope it’s ok to fly!! I’m flying to Spain 5 weeks after my mastectomy. (Sorry that doesn’t help you Pippop, I know yours is a much longer flight)
Hi Pippop I have last chemo next Friday and node clearance op 28th April. I am due to go to fuerteventura on 28th may. My flight is 4 and a half hours so obviously much shorter than yours. I should think if I have no complications like infections etc I will be ok. I would think 12 weeks recovery time is ample so wouldn’t even think about cancelling and of course speak to your onc doc about it.xx
You’ve made me all feel so much better, my oncologist said don’t cancel, my surgeon said to cancel so I’ve been in a muddle. I’ll won’t change my plans just yet and see what happens. Thank you xx
Hi Pippop. I had a single mx (no nodes) at the end of November and recovered well, physcially. I was back at the gym 3 weeks to the day after my op, gentle stuff to start with, but it felt great to do something ‘normal’ again. I haven’t had chemo, but am aware from other ladies that healing can be a bit slower after chemo, so that might be relevant with your op and rads both being post chemo.
I’ve just finished rads and have been told side effects peak about 10-14 days after finishing, so definitely factor that into your decision. Your skin will also be very sensitive to the sun after rads, so the very strong sun, heat and humidity in Thailand in July could cause some uncomfortable skin reactions. Conversely, the humidity on planes is very low so you might find a long haul flight uncomfortable for that reason!
I hope you can discuss all your concerns with your Onc and maybe talk about the possibility of delaying rads until after your holiday. I think I would also consider what medical facilities are available in the area you are visiting - a more remote island location will not have the same hospital facilities as a mainland tourist area, obviously. And, of course, a really good insurance policy will give you some peace of mind that if any issues do crop up you can access good care in Thailand and be covered if you can’t travel on the date booked because of some unexpected issue with your recovery.
That’s certainly some points to discuss with doctors, thank you tat4tit and lots to take into consideration. My onc won’t let me delay rads and want them to start 4 weeks after my op (depending how I heal obviously). I’m just waiting to see if I’m having my last chemo and if I don’t then it’s get me into surgery ASAP, so I could end up having more than the 12 weeks recovery time. I’m staying mainland in Thailand but I will do my research and speak to my travel company to find out what facilities are local. Lots to organise and think about. Thank you.