My Boyfriend wants to go away for a few days to Portugal. We’ve already had to cancel 2 holidays; one to Jamaica in Oct because he ruptured his achilles, we rebooked for Antigua In Feb but then had to cancel that because of my BC surgery.
We just want a few days away! It will be in week 3 of my second FEC chemo. I tried a travel insurance company who said they wouldn’t insure me whilst I’m having chemo. I’m thinking of going just with my European Health Card as my health cover. Am i being stupid? I’m thinking that if I am unwell, it’s only a few hours on a plane home. I had a few grotty days with sickness following FEC 1, but am now feeling back to normal with minimal SE’s; a rash on my hands and a bit of a headache. I am worried that the SE’s might be worse with FEC 2? Has anyone else travelled abroad whilst on chemo? What do you think, am I being overly optimistic that I can go on holiday?
Thanks,
Lisa
Ask your oncologist what they think.
Mine strongly recommended that I don’t go to Lanzarote 10 days after my 6th and last FEC (which will be on 14th March) because she said I would be at risk of catching something on the plane - because they circulate the air, so you get everyone else’s germs and being on FEC means you have little immunity. If that happened she said I would need intravenous anti-biotics immmediately and she was dubious about availability of specialist hospital care in the Canaries. Portugal might be better. But i’s advise ask your onc.
Definitely be guided by your onc.
Mine agreed to me going to Kenya (much more 'dangerous" ) to see my family there on a long planned trip. It mean so much to me and I went between FEC and the start of Taxotere- which was delayed by one week. I was fine - and psychologically it did me more good than anything- especially as like you I’d already had to cancel a previous trip because of the bl… BC
( I see you’re from Nottingham- I Have an NG postcode but was treated in Leicester)
Good luck with your trip.
You have to get the advice of you onc. as he/she is not going to be happy if you take a risk and you end up back at hospital in the UK needing help. If he/she sanctions it then you’ll have the support.
How about a few days away at a Spa Hotel in the UK?
You may be lucky like Topsymo, but staying with family is different as family know the way round things to get the treatment needed if required. If you do get a temperature abroad, you would have to hide the fact you are ill, or you won’t be able to fly back.
That said, Portugal seems to have good healthcare (I know a Portugese family who go on holiday to see the doctor back home), so I would research exactly what your options are before you go (ie: where is the local hospital, what facilities do they have, how do you explain yourself in Portugese etc) - then you probably won’t need them, but if you do, you wont have the stress of working it all out when you’re there.
Good luck
Annie