Holiday after rads

[JulieG]

Hiya, I finished rads (x15) on 5th Sept last year and flew to Greece the following day. Not ideal but it was already booked and we were meeting other family members out there and to be honest, I was just desperate to try and draw a line under it all, treatment - holiday - life back to new normal.  Would I recommend it? No, as everyone's treatment and healing are individual and you have to take your own circumstances into account.  Would I personally do it again?  Hell yeah!  Had a brilliant time and if I felt a bit tired, I had a snooze (don't go down the water flume without a rubber ring though, if you hit the water too hard it makes your boob ache. Lesson learned  lol).  My care team gave advice regarding sun & sand etc so factor 50 to the area at all times plus I got some uv proof surf tops to wear over my swim suit. I did swim and was ok with it but I rinsed off after and kept well moisturised.  I kept a careful watch on my skin and if there had been any breaks at all swimming would have been a no no.   BUT, because I was within 12 weeks of surgery (node biopsy), holiday insurance excluded anything BC related. I went armed with a pile of dressings and creams just in case and we knew where the local clinic was if we needed it though we knew we'd have to pay so you must take this into consideration.  So yes, wouldn't recommend you do it, but for me, it was fine.   Whenever you decide to go though, have a fabulous time.  You've earned it. xx   

[RedCarrie]

I'm in the same situation as yourselves. I have a long standing holiday already booked for July in Portugal. I start radiotherapy on 4th June. My oncologist told me to keep the treated area out of the sun, as has already been mentioned.

But he also said that I won't be able to go swimming so soon after radiotherapy, though I forgot to ask when it would be OK to go swimming. 

I found this on the site 

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/living-beyond-breast-ca...

It's just another thing (swimming) to keep in mind when considering a holiday after rads. 

[Jac67]

Best of luck with results. Keep me posted 💕xxx

[3331melanie]

Ah do you! That’s good!

Im in north Lincolnshire. I am healing well - hope you are too.

Would be great to keep n touch 😊🎀🌸.

Hugs Mel xx

[Jac67]

Hi Mel 

I’m in Glasgow so we get free prescriptions But I think you will to due to diagnosis. Hope you are healing well . I’ll keep in touch . 💕xx

[3331melanie]

Hi

i get results a week on Wednesday. Was wondering if I will start on tamoxifen then. Like you I’d like to get back to work August time. Fingers crossed. Are you getting your prescriptions free? I didn’t know until recently we can get medical exemption - I think for 5 years .

Mel xx

[Jac67]

Hi Mel 

Hope you are feeling better . I started my tamoxifen last week. Have been told takes while to go in your system. Hoping to go back to work end August so hopefully be settled down if any s/e by then . When you getting your results. Or you just straight to rads . 💕xxx

[3331melanie]

Hi Jackie

im guessing my rads will be June too. I have a week already booked for France in August. I shall keep checking in on this thread for advice 🎀

Mel x

[mini mad]

Hi,

just read your post.  I finished my radiotherapy ( 15 sessions ) and then 3 weeks later we did a weeks cruise.   I was fine,  good sun cream protection , factor 50, kept scarf over the shoulder and on the breast,  lots of moisturising on rad side.  Good luck...  you just need to take care 👍

[Gill3105]

Fully understand.  Not a journey we would pay to go on hey. Mine to was recall from mammo then on that rollercoaster I got. I’m good now thank you. Still have the odd blip but getting there.  Just give myself a talking to when feeling flat or down and also tell

myself even now it is ok not to be ok. Cope with the day your In is my motto.   Take care and get drinking plenty and start cream now if all healed from surgery. 💓 have a good evening. 

[Jac67]

Thanks Gill spoke to hubby tonight.,Yeh think we’re going to leave it . Might do a wee city break September or October. Fancy Krakow. Health is more important. I’ve got appointment with oncologist on 28th to discuss rads . So keen to get that started as it’s been a hell of a year after callback from 1st mammogram. Think I just need something to look forward too . Hope you are keeping well xx

[Gill3105]

Hi Jac

you would have to be very careful with the heat my onc said 12 month no sun.  When I say no sun I don’t mean stay inside lol just cover with 50 factor even the boob under fabric.   I have just come back from Portugal was only there 4 days and wasn’t super hot but sat at bars as you do 🤗 sun shining and yes boob tingling with the heat and it’s 10 month since I finished my rads.  I am sure you will do what is right for you.   And good luck with your rads once you appointment has come through.  Will pop back and check as I am bit nosey 😂😂💓💓

[Jac67]

Thanks I’m kinda thinking to rebook for November. Just to be on safe side . As it will be hot . X

[kathyx]

If you stay within the EU, your EHIC may still be valid (depending on the political situation) if not, you need to look at the cost and availability of travel insurance to make your decision. I think it may also depend on the sort of holiday you had in mind - a beach on the Med would be inadvisible whereas relaxing somewhere cooler and with more clothes on might be more suitable.

[Jac67]

Thanks Gill was looking at going abroad still unsure. I know what you mean about being in country if anything goes wrong. X

[Gill3105]

Hi Jac67

And before you know it you will have completed your rads.   I felt just the same wanting a holiday/break.  My experience only and we are all different but might help you decide.  I finished rads 02/07/18  and booked a long weekend away in this country 2nd week August.  Was fine but was still a bit sore from rads and bit of skin break down.   Re-assurance was I was in this country and just a phone call or visit  away from the local hospital.   Its giving yourself time after rads finished and the time for everything to peak.  As they say this is between 10/14 days and this is the case but in my case the latter end of those days.   I had nothing at all until that time, skin was perfect, lovely triangle from the boosters but that was all then boom skin break down under the boob but was soon treated and gone.  Hope this helps you decide if to go or not.    

[Jac67]

Not got my dates yet but reckon be starting rads in middle June  . Was going to book holiday for 1st week In August. Giving myself few weeks after to feel better . Now kinda worrying I shouldn’t go . Anyone been away soon after rads ? Or would u be better delaying . Feel I need a holiday after all this lol . Thanks Jackie 💕