Is anyone else looking forward to a vacation after treatment?

Science gal,

I went to Hawaii for my Honeymoon.

Stayed at a place near Waikiki beach on Oahu for one week then did one week on Kauai in a timeshare. I am from NY, and figured I wouldn't ever get to Hawaii again so did the two weeks so we could really enjoy (probably was 3 days too long though)

Best thing we did was a helicopter tour on Kauai ,no doors on the helicopter, and it was with one other couple (we didn't know)....we landed at an isolated waterfall for a picnic lunch and swimming.

The funniest part about the helicopter was hubby and I "fighting" over who sat next to the "door" (remember there wasn't a door). Along comes the pilot and he sat us based on weight, so hubby got the "door", and I was seated in the middle between the pilot and my hubby. Hubby had the biggest smile on his face and was a bit "in your face". However, when the helicopter took off he was hanging on for dear life, despite being strapped in. Apparently his cheeks didn't fit entirely on the seat and he had a feeling like he was going to fall. Each time I elbowed him in the side he would bark at me to stop pushing him out! Lol



Anyhow Oahu was nice, but more "touristy". Kauai was breathtaking.

Pat

Sciencegal, St. John and St. Croix are lovely. I was planning to move to St. Croix with my husband (at the time) and another couple and open a restaurant. We had already made preliminary visits in Dec. 2007 to scout for locations. That didn't work out. (See my original diagnosis date.) I am not wealthy but as a journalist, I wrote travel stories, thus making many of the trips a tax-deductible business expense. (I never made more than $75k as a journalist, and could not have made trips otherwise.)

If your husband likes to captain a boat, maybe you could rent one in the Virgin Islands and sleep aboard. I know couples who have done that, sailing from island to island (even the British Virgin Islands) It is not ultra expensive and you can be sociable (go to Foxy's or the Soggy Bottom) or private as you like (staying on board).

I hope you have a fabulous time in St. Louis. I think I know what you mean about having friends/family see you as "OK" after treatment. It's a mental boost to hear those we hold dear tell us we are looking healthy.

Keep sharing those trips, everyone. I'm learning a lot about places I've never been. It's a big world, and when we aren't enslaved by treatment chains, we deserve to see our share of it.

Sciencgal, we honeymooned on St. John.  Beautiful place and great place for snorkeling and nature.  We snorkeled every day at a different location and it was so much fun.  We have also been to Virgin Gorda which was nice, but I didn't like it as much as St. John. 

I struggle with vacation because I have a teenage son, so I have to think of places to keep him happy and us happy.  I'm perfectly happy in the water and at the beach all day for weeks on end. He wants stuff to do, but isn't clear what that is!  

Great thanks Colt

Sciencegal, so true. Women cancer patients (often) get coddled while husbands get nothing. Not even a Xanax. Vacations are NECESSARY to help patient and spouse recharge. There is an organization called Little Pink Houses of Hope that provides all expenses paid, week-long vacations to beach destinations. Some retreats are for families; some are for couples. I went to one w/my family in NC Outer Banks. There was a couples retreat in St. John earlier this year. If anyone would like more info. pls PM me. About 10 couples/families are chosen for each retreat.

I've got 4 more radiation treatments to go.



Tomorrow I am going with my husband to camp in Banff for the weekend. The forecast is for rain. How jolly!



It is our only opportunity to get away together this year. We have been hoping for an opportunity to visit Hawaii at some point, and the funny thing is that he is going there in September for a week to play field hockey, and I cannot afford to go with him.



BUT, in November I am traveling to Honolulu as well, to compete in a singing competition! My expenses are largely being paid by my chorus, so I am very fortunate, and we ARE both going to Hawaii .... just not at the same time!!

Sciencegal, since you are flying out of Miami, you can get to Harbour Island, Bahamas pretty quickly. 1-hr flight on American Airline to the Governours Harbour airport in Eleuthera. (ELH). From there, you take a 5 min taxi ride to the dock, then a 10 min water taxi ride to Harbour Island. That's where I would go. The pink sand and blue water are exquisite. You're sure to see a photo shoot. It's a very laid back, tiny island and most people walk or use golf carts. I've stayed at Dunmore Beach Club and Pink Sands. Coral Sands is supposed to be nice. Rock House is on the bay side but highly rated. This website kind of explains what the island is like. http://myharbourisland.com/index.php. On my 2nd visit, met a waitress who graduated from college in my hometown, and the couple sitting next to me lived one town over. It is a small gorgeous world in Harbour Island, Bahamas.

4 days after my last chemo, my husband, dog and I drove to a cabin in Northern Minnesota on a wonderful, quiet lake with 8 acres of woods.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  I slept, read, sat in the sun and dangled my toes in the water.  

In 8 days we head for Amelia Island in Florida and I am feeling pretty much back to normal so plan on swimming in the ocean, bike riding and doing a lot of cooking.  I think we all need something to look foward to and to reward ourselves for successfully finishing treatment.

Sciencegal, not feeling so great these days. I've got some skin mets in right breast/underarm area growing incredibly fast and the reconstruction surgery I've looked forward to for months has been postponed. But ... I just spent a week at the beach in NC with my DH & son before school began and am going to Tybee Island, Ga, for Labor Day weekend. After that, back to Sloan-Kettering for some treatment changes and surgery. Happy to have time in the sun!
AmyQ, I like your vacation style.

You are welcome, sciencegal! I hope you have a fantastic trip after the family wedding celebration.

Thank you (and the rest of you extraordinary people) for encouragement, advice and simply being here.

Trying to avoid chemo for as long as possible. Hope this will help me with clinical trial enrollment. But I am inquiring about profiling and such.

Thanks sciencegal. There is no "again" with chemo with me. I've not had it once. I'm an unusual Stage IV: still have my own boobies, never had any chemo. So when I meet someone for the first time and my Stage IV status comes up, the person's eyes immediately dart toward my chest and then my hair, ha ha ha.

I appreciate your recommendations regarding the mets and have asked MSKCC to schedule a biopsy.

Noquitter, you are among several women I have read about who had a serious illness/medical condition prior to cancer diagnosis, or recurrence, and it is curious to think about if one condition led to the other. So much mystery associated with cancer. Please consider planning a vacation, even a quick getaway, to celebrate a cancerversary or other milestone. We all deserve some sort of "vacation." I PM'ed info to you about Little Pink Houses of Hope. Crossing my fingers that you will be chosen for a getaway.

Anyone else have a special trip planned? Please share, even if those plans are only dreams at the moment.

Odie16, good news is always welcomed! A Cancun trip sounds fantastic. Savor every moment of planning and anticipating. It's good for our hearts to have a tropical vacation to look forward to. Hope you and your girlfriends have the time of your life in the sun and on the sand. Viva la vida!