Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you I will give them a call. Ann ... View more

Just tried to get travel insurance,for a coach trip to Spain, went back to Insurancewith as they covered me earlier this year for trips in UK. Nothing has changed in relation to my disease and treatments but they would not insure me this time probably because I'm going to Spain. 😨 I have got travel insurance with my bank but they also will not cover the cancer. Ann  ... View more

Good luck Carolyn hope all goes well today. Big Hugs Ann xx ... View more

Further to my previous post I contacted Eurotunnel insurance the next day with a view to taking up the annual insurance with them, however when I told the advisor I had secondary bc she informed me that I would not be covered for claims relating either directly or indirectly to the cancer. I did not actually clarify the fact with her but I am assuming that if I had to cancel a holiday due to becoming unwell due to my cancer , I would not be able to claim for cancellation. I decided that this policy was not for me as although I am stable and feeling well enough to travel now, who knows how this beast of a disease will come back and bite me when I least expect it and I needed an insurance policy to cover me for this eventuality.  Looking through the forum again, Insurancewith.com had been recommended by members so I completed the online indepth medical questions to obtain a quote, only to be advised at the end to contact them to speak to a customer advisor. Which I did the next day and spoke to a very helpful advisor. After looking through my online questions she informed me that they would not be able to insure me on an annual policy but could offer me a single trip policy and my breast cancer would be covered. We are only travelling in the UK at the moment so obviously any medical problems I might have will be treated by the NHS, which lowered my medical insurance risk. I was quoted £8.67 for a 8 day holiday on their Emerald policy without cancellation cover as we are going later this week and £7.77 on their Sapphire policy with £3000 cancellation cover for a 5 day trip next month both policies had £75 excess. I know that it is not as convienient as a annual policy but if it gives me peace of mind that I am covered with regards to the bc, I will just go along with it.  We are planning to go abroad later this year providing I stay well, so it will be interesting to know how much they will quote me for that holiday. I will keep you posted!!!! Ann xx   ... View more

Thank you Marirose (((((hugs for you too ))))) xx ... View more

Thank you for your quick response, the adviser I spoke to was not forth coming with the definition of terminal even though I laboured the point with her for some time, so I was reluctant to take the policy. I looked at their policy conditions on line and it did not really clarify the definition of terminal there either, however looking at the forum it seems that members like you have gone with it and others have had no problems, so I think I will take the plunge. Ann xx ... View more

I have just contacted Eurotunnel to possibly take out individual annual travel insurance with them and I got stumped when she asked me whether I had a terminal diagnosis. I did not know what to say for although I know that I can not be cured, so I am terminal in that respect, I am being treated and at the moment stable. My GP would more than likely give me a letter saying that I am fit to travel and can not for see any problems relating to the cancer in the immediate future but who knows what's around the corner. My concern is whether I will be covered with their policy or will they try to wiggle out of any possible claim using the "terminal" diagnosis. Any thoughts on this will be appreciated. Ann xx ... View more

Hi Stresshead, yes I have had my results and they were good thank you. My scan showed that the disease has not progressed further and the bones are healing. The plan is to continue with present treatment tegime a day will be reviewed in 3 months following the next routine scan.  I totally empathise with you with regards to the pleural effusions, to me it was the worse symptom I had to contend with following my secondary dx last year. Eventually my oncology consultant referred me to a thoracic cancer surgeon at Guys and had a right VATS procedure sterile talc pleurodesis carried out in February this year to stop the effusion reoccurring but unfortunately it was not successful. I became so breathless again because of the fluid building up again in my pleural cavity, I was unable to function and carry out any activities.I was reviewed a month later and it was decided then to insert PleurX catheters to manage the effusions and after the initial post op discomfort, I am so much more comfortable. The community nurses came in initially but now my husband and I manage the catheters on our own. My quality of life has improved dramatically and I am now able to lead a relatively normal life. Ok....the catheters are sited on your chest wall and I am a little conscious of what I wear so not to make them obvious but to me that it is a small price to pay for the freedom I have gained and not be breathless. The catheters are not necessarily permanent, eventually once your disease is under control and the fluid decreases they can be removed. I have had mine now for over 2 months and am still draining over 2 litres of fluid in the space of a week. Every one is different so I am told as the average time for catheters to remain is 31 days so don't panic. To me the catheters have been a positive solution to the debilitating symptom and is certainly much better than having to go to A&E regularly and have a needle inserted to drain my effusion. Please do not be worried about VATS procedure it just means that it is a procedure carried out by using a Video to Assist Thoracic Surgery, yes it was quite painful post op but you are given strong analgesics to help with this. I do not understand why this procedure would preclude you from having chemo as this has not been discounted by my oncologist for future use. I hope this helps and you should try and get as much info as possible to make the right decisions about how to manage your condition. This forum has been a great help to me and I am sure other members will be able to contribute to your question.  Please let us know how you get on I will be thinking of you. Hugs and best wishes Ann xx ... View more

Thank you all for the (hugs) and support. Ann xx ... View more

Seeing Oncologist tomorrow for Ct scan results, currently on Exemestane and Denosumab for pleura,lung and bone mets. My concern is that I had PleurX catheters inserted for persistent pleura effusions which we are draining every 4 days at the moment and the fluid is not decreasing, in fact it has increased today. Which to my way of thinking means that not only is the disease not being controlled on present treatment but may be worsening. I am feeling a little bit anxious now of tomorrow's results. Ann xx ... View more