Taxotere and Cytoxin plus vacation plans

judimac

Taxotere and Cytoxin plus vacation plans

judimac

Hello,

    Next week I will be deciding whether or not to undergo chemo, depending largely on my Oncotype score. I have long standing plans for a cruise in September, and two weeks in France the end of September/early October. Is it unrealistic to think I can comfortably do these trips while doing TCx4? Or should I think about canceling? I'd like to wait until I am back but my onc doesn't favor that.

  I know everybody reacts differently but advice would still be helpful.

Thanks,

Judy 

dlb823

Sorry, Judy, but totally unrealistic, in my opinion. Not only do you not know which SE's you may encounter from one infusion to the next, but your susceptibility to infection -- even if you're on Neulasta or similar white blood cell builder -- is nothing to fool around with.  Unfortunately, chemo is not the time to do these sorts of trips.    And, besides, even if you're one of the lucky ones who has very few SE's, why would you want to do either trip if you're not feeling 100%?    

Hoping that chemo will not be in the picture for you afterall, and that you can enjoy the plans you've made ~  Deanna

mke

I cancelled a cruise, it hurt to do it but it was the right thing for me because I had serious side effects and neither I nor my husband would have enjoyed the cruise. 

Gillkath

Hi Judy,

I actually did four rounds of taxotere and cytoxin.  Is there some reason why chemo is urgent?  I would expect that it would be okay if you began chemo after your return at the beginning of October.  I was diagnosed in June 2007 and began my chemo in September 2007.  I also believe that you should take the trips while you are feeling well so that you can enjoy them; once chemo begins, if you have to do it, you probably won't feel very much like taking a trip ..... there are quite a few side effects, which include losing your hair, and I'm sure you would have more fun before the chemo.

I hope that your oncotype score comes back very low, so you can avoid chemo.  I was able to work full-time through my chemo treatments.  My chemo was on Fridays, so I would take Friday and sometimes Monday off depending on how I felt.

Good luck to you.

Laurie

balsie

Goodmorning,

I had travel plans too!  We decided to cancel and just stay put until my treatments are over.  I am currently taking TCX6 every 21 days.  I am 10 days into my treatment plan.  The first treatment went really well with few side effects.  The reason we canceled is because I don't want to be on a plane with a bunch of coughing people and have an added chance of getting sick.  I figure I will go on a trip after I am all done with this to Celebrate!! 

I wish you the best in your plans......maybe you won't have to go thru chemo

healing wishes,

Balsie~

judimac

Yippee! My Oncotype score was 12, so no chemo is indicated! I feel very lucky. Thanks for your advice.