Travel while on Chemo

DebRox

Has anyone travelled while on chemo?  My sister will be moving and I would like to help her in any way I can, even if it is a short visit to provide emotional support.  It looks like I will be undergoing TC every three weeks x 4 starting some time in May.

My travelling would involve flying from the US to Canada and I would plan on staying just a few days to provide support to her. She is moving to a new city and will be on her own.  She has provided me with so much support the past few weeks while going thru surgery etc.  I want to do something kind for her.

Thoughts anyone about travelling, especially by airplane, to an other country and on my own while undergoing chemo.

Char2010

DebRox - I did the same regiment last year and stopped all airplane travel during treatment but started-up two weeks after the last one.  I felt pretty lousy about day 5-9 after each treatment and biggest concern was exposure to germs when my white blood cells were very low.  I was not told that I should not travel.  So I think it will all depend on how you are tolerating the chemo and lab results.

DiDel

I agree with Char talk to you oncologist, a long germfilled plane ride may not be suck a good idea. BUT if you do go I would wear gloves on the plane and maybe even a mask.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Diane

pumela115

I traveled from Seattle to Las Vegas and back during my week off of abraxane. I wore a sleeve on my arm and thats it. I didn't have any problems, just a little tired. I asked my onc if i could and he told me to go, so def. talk to your onc. Good Luck!!

DebRox

Yes unfortunately my heart wants to do the right thing, but think it may be too risky for my health.

I feel bad for my sister.  She is leaving a toxic relationship and starting over again on her own.  I only wish to support her.  Unfortunatley bad timing on my part.

konakat

Hi Deb,

I've travelled during chemo and not been in the best of shape (Stage IV, etc.).  Several times driving 7 hours each way over a weekend on my own and more recently 2 plane trips -- one between Ottawa/Boston and another just in Feb from Ottawa to Cayman Islands.

I was worried about germs on the plane but then decided the germs would be the same in a building, public transport...  But I had absolutely no problems, even with all my blood counts in the toilet.

If you do decide to go, maybe wear a mask (I didn't though).  Do wash your hands frequently or use that anti-bacteria hand lotion stuff ( I always do).

As long as your onc gives you the OK to travel why not go?  But only if you're comfortable about it, none of us needs extra stress.  If you do go, have a wonderful time with you sister.

Elizabeth

konakat

Just wanted to add that as long as my onc approves I do what I want and go where I want.  It's my way of "telling" the cancer that it cannot take over my life, I'm in charge here.  I see that you're newly diagnosed so it is normal to have worries.  Whatever you decide is the best decision for you.  And sorry you have BC.  Soon you life will get back to normal.  Hugs,

Elizabeth

grneyd5600

I did travel during chemo both for my job and for pleasure.  I checked with onc before I did anything.  My blood count was good and I was minimal on the SE's so he was fine with it.  We actually went to Sturgis SD for the motorcycle rally for the two weeks between my AC and Taxol regime.  (Slept in a tent for 10 days! )  I always wore a compression sleeve on my lymph side and used anti-bacterial often.

The key is 1) get onc buy in and 2) make sure your body is strong enough.

Hang in there! 

Jackie

MargieC

I have just been diagnosed.  We are doing chemo first and then surgery.  We have a trip to Jamaica booked for May 29.  My ONC says we should go.  I start chemo Fri May 13 and my ONC will work with me to have my 2nd round Mon June 6.  That being said since I haven't started treatment we are nervous about going.  We do know this will be our last big trip for some time.  I will have 18 weeks of TCH and then a mastectomy.  My ONC will be testing my blood Fri May 27 before we go.  Back ground on me.  I am 48 year old pretty healthy otherwise.

any suggestion on dealing with all the what "if" that run through your mind about traveling?  My ONC is very big on meds for side effects.  thoughts?

christine47

I traveled while on chemo, big vacation after my 2nd round.  My onc checked my counts before I left and also put me on antibiotics for the trip.  I wore a mask in the airport and on the plane, no one even gave me a second look.  I had no problems, I did not travel out of the country.

Life goes on even during chemo, and my trip made for a great distraction.

beccad

DebRox,

Sorry I didn't see this before. I had asked my Onc. before starting Chemo, since we had a trip booked to Germany the week after Thanksgiving last year.  We worked my chemo around the trip.  She checked my lab work the Tuesday before we left. That was the 3rd week, and the week before the next chemo.  My only problem was I lost 5lbs while on vacation in Germany.(LOL) That was about a 10 hr flight each way.

Beccad

kriskat

Debrox- I travelled by plane to the NCAA final four in Houston about a month ago on a plane. My onc insisted that I go and keep in mind that's in a venue of 75000 people. It was between my first and second treatment and i had no problems. Just lots of hand sanitizer!!

InTwoPlaces

I traveled from California to Hawaii and to Washington DC during my chemo. I didn't have any problem. I was careful to use my hand wipes and cleaned the armrest and the tray on the plane.

My onc wrote a letter (which I should give the flight attended) that I needed to avoid people with a cold or other infections in case I was seated next to one on the flight.

The vacation was nothing like the ones we have had before, I was too tired to go out to eat dinner at nights after being very active during the days, but it still was wonderful to be on vacation.

I didn't wear a mask since I read that it doesn't protect you.

beatingthecancer

I am so glad this topic is posted as I have been very concerned over a trip I have planned to Germany and Russia in two weeks. I wanted to cancel the trip, but the husband really wants to go because his family is going as well.  I just had my last chemo treatment on Friday (6/3). I am not as concerned about my energy level as I am about germs! My doctor doesn't seem too be concerned and will be testing my WBC and RBC right before we are to leave. Not sure if the masks really do any good. But I am also concerned about the food. Germany currently has that nasty Ecoli outbreak...great timing. Does anyone has any suggestions on what to eat or what not to eat? Thanks!

Lena

I'm not really much of a traveler, but when was having my chemo (April through July 2009), I was so completely and totally poleaxed with constant crushing fatigue that I canceled the summer trip up north I usually did once a year. Was able to go by October 2009, though. Now that I live here up north (moved October 2010), I don't have to make the trip anymore. LOL

elawoo

I've been traveling quite since I've been on Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin. I'm currently in London, in fact. I've had little problems with it except the jet lag is exacerbated because of the SE of the chemo. I've also made trips to Colorado, California, and NY...it can be exhausting but I didn't want to put my life completely on hold while on chemo if that was at all possible. 

I think Intwoplaces' suggestion to have the oncologist write a letter to the flight attendant is a good idea because at the least they'd be aware of your sensitivities and perhaps check on you more often. (Of course I kept pulling off my head scarf off during the flight because of my hot flashes and I think that made it pretty obvious that I was on chemotherapy!) 

 Anyways, good luck, hope you get to make the trip 

  

nowords

I did four rounds of dose dense A/C 2 weeks apart in May and June of 2009. I flew from Minneapolis to Seattle for my daughters college graduation and stayed 5 days. The oncologist okayed it. I wore a sleeve and stayed hydrated and used the hand gel - no mask - did fine. Tired by day 4, but fine really. I was 50 at the time and had good health other than the Big C...

waleywale

Im wanting to visit my familly in spain im having chemo in the uk. Its onlt two and a half hours on the plane iam half way threw my chemo any advise