Travel while on Chemo?

SuzinLA

I am trying to figure out whether to go on or cancel an upcoming trip. Would really appreciate people's insights about traveling during chemo.

My family (mom, dad, brother and family, sister and family, and myself and my husband) booked a big family trip a year ago. Its an emotional trip  for us,on a cruise in Alaska, as my brother-in-law has a serious illness and my folks are getting older and its a big deal for us all to be together. 

I got diagnosed in March and have had 3 surgeries and now 2 of my 6 chemo treatments (taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin).  My next chemo is monday (July 7) and I'm supposed to travel on the 17th.  

Really agonizing about whether to cancel or not.  5 hour flight to Alaska. Then on a cruise ship for a week.  

Any insights are appreciated. My onco said she's not too psyched about my being on a cruise ship.  And that I should think about how important this trip is to me, and whether its worth putting myself in a situation where I might get sick...

THANKS for any insights in the next week or so... I know this is anecdotal but I'd appreciate thoughts... 

Suzanne 

maryannecb

I t4raveled from Canada to the States, after round 6. I delayed that chemo so I did not have to worry about my counts.It was nice to take a break but I hope I don't pay for that some day...

As soon asa I came back I started up again.

Fists up!

jerseymaria

hi suzanne, we had a family vacation scheduled before i found out that i would be having chemo, although ours was only 1 week at the beach.  i had just finished 4 ac and had to delay the start of my 4 taxotere by 1 week.  my onc at the time was ok with that but as i said it was only 1 week.  even though i did try not to overdo, it was so so exhausting but i'm one of those people who tries to make everything perfect to the point of exhausting myself...i know...not smart. a cruise might even be easier in that you have all your meals served to you and sit on the deck and relax.  as maryanne said, the only thing i would be concerned about would be your blood counts.  i suppose you could get checked at the ship infirmary but as i recall on our last cruise in 03, a visit to the nurse was a $100. fee. have you had to get shots for your red or white counts?

maryannecb

I would not go if I had chemo just prior, counts uaually fall between5-10 days post. I ended up very sick after one of mine and in hospital for a week. To me you either delay your chemo or don't go. The theory on the chemo is to hit the tumor and keep at it.My delay was also for a week...don't think that matters much. Hope it didn't anyway.

Fists up!

lewing

Suzanne, I've traveled and been generally active during chemo, without incident.  You've had 2 treatments at this point, so you must have a pretty good idea of what is/isn't doable.

How have your white blood counts held up?  Has your onco expressed specific concerns, other than being not crazy about the idea of a cruise?  I wonder if the concern is about food-borne illnesses (I'm thinking about some of the horror stories of cruise passengers being stricken with horrible gastrointestinal viruses), and if there aren't basic precautions you could take - foods to avoid and so forth.  Or maybe it's about being out of hospital range, in which case, you might want to check into how the cruise line handles medical emergencies.

I think your onc owes it to you to lay out his/her concerns specifically so that you can make an informed decision.  (Just my two cents.)

Linda

Ixia

After starting chemo, we cancelled 2 trips that had been scheduled ahead of time. One family get-together, and a longed for Manhattan museum vacation. It was clear to both myself and others that I was in no shape to travel to the distant family get-together, or to tackle all the walking and commotion of Manhattan.

If you know you are strong and energetic enough to go and enjoy it, the next thing you do is to sort out the risks that unfamiliar food and water, lots of people packed together on planes and cruises will pose: There will be bugs you can catch. Are you a seasoned traveler? 

SuzinLA

Thanks for all of this, everyone. I had chemo on Monday (my third round) and long talk with my oncologist. I have an infection (UTI) and now am on antibiotics for that (Cipro).  She really wasnt into the idea of my going, and I had to agree with her. We agreed its just not worth it if I get sick, or am sick, while on such a big trip.

So I unwound everything yesterday, cancelled flights, hotel, cruise. And talked to a friend with a house in Mammoth (CA).  We're gonna drive up in about 10 days, go hang out, do some hiking, etc., whatever I'm up for. No worry about having to pay for a cancelled trip because its a friend's house. Should be really great. And if I have to blow it off last minute, no worries. I think this is a much better plan for now. My family is really disappointed but supportive, and we will figure out some other trip at some other time.  I know this is the right decision now. Even if I find myself next week feeling terrific and wishing I had chosen to go.  

REALLY really appreciate the comments from everyone. THANKS.