Is anyone else looking forward to a vacation after treatment?

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sciencegal
sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
edited March 2017 in Life After Breast Cancer

I thought it might be fun to see our plans for trips and vacations to reward ourselves once we get through these danged treatments!



I will start- my wonderful husband and I are planning to go back to Hawaii in the fall when I have recovered from the chemo, surgeries and rads. We were there for our honeymoon two years ago, and have an electronic picture frame with photos of our trip next to the bed so we get to re-live it every day.



But I am ready to get my toes back into the sand!



Who else is planning or dreaming of a nice getaway? I would love to hear about everyone's favorite spots!



Hugs

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Comments

  • JennaJMU
    JennaJMU Member Posts: 97
    edited July 2013

    My husband and I are going to Bora Bora next fall to stay in an over water bungalow. It was always a someday vacation but now it's a right now vacation, cancer changes everything. I cannot wait!!

  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited July 2013

    Was not planning to go anywhere this year but kids are going to Vancouver to stay with their grandparents for 2 weeks. Hubby and I are going to fly down to visit as well a week after but will sneak down to Seattle for 4 days alone! Last chemo is this Tuesday!

  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited July 2013

    Great topic! Hawaii and Bora Bora sound dreamy. Sciencegal, love your bedside photo idea. Vacation memories are womderful to wake up to. I went to Jamaica the day after I finished my radiation treatments in 2008. I was terribly fatigued but glad I did it. My husband and I were planning a trip to Barbados next week for a belated honeymoon, but at the last minute I decided to postpone. I wasn't sure my bones could handle the 5-hr plane ride. So instead, we're going to St. Petersburg/ Tampa. I used to live there and it's hot as Hades in July, but I'm focused on the beachfront hotel & Salvador Dali museum. My fat grafting/revision surgery in Sept. is in Savannah, so I am turning that into a week long vacay, too. I don't like to think about the fact that a year from now I could be too sick to travel, but I really must make the most of every day. Unfortunately I've seen others with cancer progress too rapidly, or not recover from treatment, making travel impossible. Perhaps other ladies, even those who don't have firm plans, will share where they'd like to go, when their treatment allows.

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Bora Bora sounds wonderful! One of my "dream places". The overwater bungalows seem so amazing, congratulations Jenna! Super cool.



    How long does it take to get there? I have always wondered when looking at the pictures, and dreaming.



    Ronda I am sorry you can't get to Barbados. Dang it. But that beachfront hotel sure sounds good too! I love waking up to look out at the ocean, I do it any time I can. Good for you.



    Shoppygirl, cool to get some time alone with hubby, yay. I hope Seattle isn't as hot as the rest of the country seems to be right now. We have over 100 degrees each day down here in California. Thank gosh for AC and the Pool.



    Thanks everyone, please keep 'em coming! I love to live vicariously!

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Oh yes, we also get to go to St. Louis this summer. Not Bora Bora, but this trip is to see family! After my rads. Can't wait.

    :)

  • Hortense
    Hortense Member Posts: 982
    edited July 2013

    I'm dreaming of going to Rome by way of London. Thought it was going to be soon, but DH got bogged down with work and now it is too hot over there. Maybe this fall, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen either. Oh well. He'd promised to take me on a trip last fall when I was better and that didn't happen. Too busy with work. On the other hand, he is starting to cut back on work, so maybe a trip might be in my/our future.

    I'm not a beachy resort sort as I live by the beach. I'd rather wander through museums in big cities and see all sorts of new and wonderful things.

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Ah Italy- I would highly recomend doing that! Cool.



    I have been there five times- four just to give lectures, didnt get to enjoy it as much as I would have liked, and finally, just to spend some time with my new sweetie. (my ex-husband, or "wasband", was not a traveler, so I went alone the first four times).



    We had an amazing time. The big cities are vibrant.



    I hope you get to go soon!!!!

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    My last rad treatment is Thursday and I leave Saturday to visit family and friends.  My husband is working so he's not coming with me and my son, but we're hoping he can sneak up for a couple of days while we're at the casino.

    At some point in the upcoming months, we are planning a trip to Vegas.  After spending my chemo induced coma watching "Say yes to the dress", I decided we should renew our vows.   

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Oh that is wonderful to be renewing your vows. Great for you!!!



    So will you be picking a dress? I didnt think i was going to go all out for my second wedding but I ended up finding a white dres I loved- to heck with convention. It's OUR life right???

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    Yea, once this is over and I'm feeling better, I'll look for something.  

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Thats a wonderful thing to look forward to- hooray for you!

    One day at a time with these stupid rads, huh?

  • SophiaAnne-Marie
    SophiaAnne-Marie Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2013

    Hello Laughing I found out I had breast cancer two weeks before my Partner and I were to hop on our motorcycles and head from SoCal to our new home in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, so I'm quite looking forward to that. Apparently when I woke up from surgery 3 weeks ago today, the first thing I asked was when I could ride my motorcycle again. 

    What a great topic, and what exciting plans for everyone. It certainly takes your mind off of things, and I start my rads in the next two weeks so it'll help me to remember to look  here instead of freaking out so much first Cool

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Hi SophiaAnne-Marie, how wonderful!!! when DO you get back up on that bike?



    Have you chosen a house there already? I love "househunters international"- it sounds like you are living it. Cool.



    I was totally freaking out before I started rads but really, it is the easiest part of this journey we dont want to be on (in contrast to the journeys that we DO want to take- like to the Andes. Woohoo!)



    The summer rads blog was freaking me out even moe because a couple of the girls were having a really rough time so I started a topic: "did anyone make it through rads with their skin okay" and got many reassuring posts. I iwll bump that to the top for you.



    After surgery it is a piece of cake.

  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited July 2013

    Sophia AnneMarie, add me to the list of gals who got thru rads ok. I truly enjoyed radiation. I had lovable techs whom I truly missed when my treatment was over. One promised me that my radiated skin would tan, peel, then be smoother than a baby's bottom when if was over. All true. I hope you have a similar experience and are ready to roll soon, toward many fantastic adventures.

  • SophiaAnne-Marie
    SophiaAnne-Marie Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2013

    Thank you so much Sciencegal and TarheelMichelle Laughing I'm going to hop over to that thread once I finish this reply.

    We have and have not yet picked out houses meaning we're building the house on the farm ourselves using sustainable materials and buying a house in town. We haven't had kids yet and it would be absolutely nuts living a 3 hour's walk from town in a place not accessible by vehicle and trying to do so. I love House Hunters International too! Maybe I should contact them!!!!!!! 

    My 3 month follow up is October 28th and if my Partner's mom's birthday wasn't the 29th we would leave for Ecuador right after we saw the doctor Wink I rode it down the block the other day but my arm hurt so I need to still take it little by little, but I'll be back on him in no time. 

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited July 2013

    Good for you SophiaAnne-Marie! That sounds wonderful.



    I just got back from three days at the beach in Pacifica, CA because we had a meeting in San Francisco. I always try to stay there instead of right in the city because I love the ocean so much. Short drive in to go to the meeting.



    It was not really a vacation but did me a world of good!!!



    Hugs, everyone.

  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited July 2013

    I love this daydream topic.  We missed our 20th anniversary vacation due to this lovely cancer, so I think by the 21st or early 2014 I'll be ready.  21 is luckier than 20 anyway, right?  I also love House Hunters International, so part of the time I want to go somewhere exotic that I might want to move to, and part of the time I just want to go to Bora Bora or the Carribbean.  Or maybe a Mediterranean cruise.  So many places, so little time and money!

    Sophia that is so cool.  I've been hearing about Ecuador so that's a place I've been wanting to travel to.  Will this be a second home or a permanent move?

  • SophiaAnne-Marie
    SophiaAnne-Marie Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2013

    Sounds like you had a great time Sciencegal :-) TwoHobbies 21 is much luckier than 20! You're absolutely right. And it's a permanent move. His folks are buying a house in town from our farm on the mountain and will split their time between here and there. It's what's pulling me thorough this Laughing

  • kayezzy66
    kayezzy66 Member Posts: 116
    edited July 2013

    Very good topic,made me think of where i would love to visit when i get well...this i can do!!!!!!! The beach is my favorite,and lots of waves...yea

  • Colt45
    Colt45 Member Posts: 771
    edited July 2013

    A few weeks ago we went to Lake George with the kids and my sister for a long weekend. Loved it. It was an escape. Boat rides, swimming, dining, playing. We stayed in a private lodge (which was a really updated log cabin).



    We're going to Maine in a month, then Disney World in November for my parents' 50th anniversary.



    We live to 'get away'. And as soon as we come back----we just plan the next getaway!



    Love it.

  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited July 2013

    Hi ladies,

    What a wonderful topic!  I finish rads October'ish.  We will be doing a Christmas trip to see both out children/children's families.  Then in the spring, 2014 son, daughter in law, daughter and son in law,  and grandkids will be meeting us in Colorado Springs for multiple days at the fabulous Broadmoor Hotel.  Breast cancer has impacted all of us and we need a celebration.

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    Hi everyone, I have been away from the boards for a few days with some fierce deadlines at work so am just catching up.


    Colt- great to hear from you- how are you doing, how is your wife? Your vacation at the lake sounds great!



    MsPharoah - I hear you. celebrations are definitely needed. Good for you.



    Twohobbies I hope your next trip is awesome!

    I also dream of going to the carribean- I have never been because they don't have science meetings there (boo) and, until I got cancer, I had never taken a "real" vacation that did not involve also doing a lecture or attending a conference. The big C has changed all of that, for sure.



    Does anyone have a favorite place in the carribean? I like blue water, my hubbie likes technology like TV and internet availability (not a remote cabin without those things).



    Taking all suggestions!!

  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited August 2013

    So nice to hear about everyone's trips! I am currently in Tacoma, Wa visiting my SIL. Also spent some time in Vancouver visiting my other family. Took a nice tour of Seattle yesterday and am really enjoying being away and just trying to feel normal again!

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    I love the Seattle area- especially the space needle, Pike's place, the areas with all the houseboats, and all the coffee shops!



    Glad you are having fun.

  • Colt45
    Colt45 Member Posts: 771
    edited August 2013

    @sciencegal:



    Doing good here.



    My wife has the girls in VA Beach this week.



    I am stuck here in NJ working.



    I miss them terribly. But they're having a ball, so I'm happy.



    How are you doing?

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    Oh I am so glad they got to go to the beach, yay for them, but poor you!



    I am good thanks, will finish rads on Monday then start trying to find this "new normal" that I know is out there somewhere.



    I hope that you and your family are all back together soon. Glad to hear she is doing well.



    cheers!

  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited August 2013

    Sciencegal, I've been to the Caribbean 15 times. The best places IMO are countries with a history of tourism/colonialism, so the population has a history of welcoming visitors. Some countries have tourism forced upon them by their governments, who close farms to open hotels. That said, Jamaica and Harbour Island in the Bahamas are my fave getaways. In Jamaica you can stay in a private home for the price of a hotel. Most of the homes are owned by Brits or Canadians, at least the ones I'm familiar with. You get a cook, butler and a laundress, so every meal is exactly what you want, you have your own pool and ginormous house, and you arrive home from your trip with a suitcase full of clean clothes. All have TVs and pretty reliable Internet. Highly recommend Villas by Linda Smith. Don't faint when you see the $25k/week price tags. There ARE reasonable houses in the summer (off season). I'm lucky enough to live 90 mins from an airport that flies directly to many Caribbean cities, so travel doesn't take long for me. Not sure I could sit in a plane for very long these days. The Florida trip I took instead of Barbados was great fun. That may be what I'll be doing for awhile, taking quick trips within US instead of Caribbean. What places have caught your eye so far?

  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Science gal,

    Ever considered a cruise?

    We did one last year to the southern Carribean. The ship left out of Peurto Rico. It stopped at 5 islands. St.lucia, Grenada, Antigua, st. Croix and St. John (I think). It was great to book tours ahead of time (you can see what is offered on the ship website)... I have 3 kids so if we did anything that was "boring" aka sight seeing of historic nature we made up sure there was a trip to the beach attached. Excellent entertainment on the ship, as well as food. Wish the cruises were cheaper for a family, but it was our "once in a lifetime" as hubby was celebrating his retirement.



    The end of .august we will be going to Florida, staying In a 2 bedroom timeshare and visiting Disney and Universal, and perhaps NASA. We will be there 10 days. I was able to get the timeshare on a great deal ($199 a week) so booked two weeks which let me play with travel dates to get cheaper airfares. I also was able to use my credit card points for 5 free flights ($114 a ticket) so not a shabby deal...$400 for room for 10 days and $600 for airfare out of pocket for a family of 5! This is my "celebrating chemo is over" celebration. Then in the fall I will be having my double masectomy and reconstruction.

    I think I got the idea of traveling to celebrate end of treatment from someone on BCO. LOVE the idea, and I think my kids won't be too unhappy! Lol



    Pat

  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited August 2013

    our trip out west starts tuesday. flying into vegas, then going to see the arizona strip. goung to do lots of hiking etc. we went a few years ago. bringing the girls this time. and staying longer.



    we went to hawaii in 05. honolulu traffic was horrible. we stayed in condo that rented by the month. came outmuch cheaper that way. as coming from east coast, it took a while to adjust to time change. we were on oahu. cant remember name of place we were at, but it had awesome pool right outside. it was beautiful



    took trip over to big island.

  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    Thanks Ronda- That sounds wonderful. I get "islands" magazine to dream of these places. Was thinking about St. John or St. Croix just because I have heard they are so beautiful, but your point is very well taken about the tourism- I would best like to go somewhere that we are wanted.
    Gosh you have been there fifteen times- super cool!!



    My brother lives in the Florida keys, i am lucky that i have an excuse to go see him there each year. I love it so much. I am sorry you cant travel further, dang it. F-ing cancer. But at least, the keys arent too shabby!



    Pat we had thought about a cruise, my hubby just likes to drive so much, himself (he's a boat guy) that I will have to convince him. Your experience sounds great and I sure would like to see all of those places, for sure (my bucket list is simple - see more beaches!)



    Fran I love Hawaii too- have only been to Oahu but I want to see more of the islands while I am still healthy enough to do it. Have fun on your trip!



    We are going next week to St louis- not exactly beachy- but we have some wonderful friends and family members there who just want to see that I am still "me" and "okay" after all these treatments. so that will be great. instead of a beach I will get the shores of the muddy Mississippi- but that's fun too!



    Thanks everyone, I love sharing all of these ideas and experiences.

    hugs

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