Traveling After Stage IV - Questions, Concerns and Conversation

Pajim- we have to reschedule as my fiancé got called into work mandatory overtime. I still decided to get my hair done. Yesterday I lost 8 inches and left a small animal on the salon floor! I feel much lighter

I'm newly diagnosed as MBC de novo and have only been taking my meds for 5 days. Hubby and I had booked a 2 week European river cruise for October before we knew any of this was in store. My oncologist said, “Sounds lovely, go," when we asked her thoughts. I amworried about committing to a 2 week trip, but I'd also regret canceling if I turned out to be stable in October. We're leaning toward rebooking a 1 week river cruise instead. Tough decision for me, we have to pay or reschedule by mid February. How did you all do in your first year after diagnosis? Any advice for me?!

Rosie, welcome! I would say it depends on what drugs you are on. If you're on Femara and Ibrance, don't worry about the trip. You'll be fine. The worst that might happen is you stop taking Ibrance whilst you are gone. Or take an extra week off of it.

If you're on something heavier than hormonals it may be more difficult. I just started Halaven but I'm still planning to go to Cuba in March. My onc and I are going to have to negotiate. Not whether I go, but how we schedule the chemo around my trip.

I've been everywhere for lots of weeks at a time. The most bad thing that happened to me was the day I had blisters from Xeloda and could not see Copenhagen on my one free day there. Man was I annoyed. I stopped taking the drug two days early and within three days I was fine trotting around France. A cruise is much more relaxing -- you can do it even with fatigue.

This will give you something to look forward to! That's always important in this business.

I wanted to report back that we, really I, decided to go ahead with our two week river cruise in October. So now we just pay our balance and hope for all to go smoothly. Thanks for sharing your experiences to help me decide! (Hubby was very supportive either way, he wanted me to feel comfortable with the plan, and I do.

At the pool in Florida - flying back to snow tomorrow. Invested in a package of disposable undergarments due to Verzenio providing unpredictable intestinal activity. Will put one on after getting through airport security (don't want to invite a TSA pat down!)

Didn’t need it on the way here but you never know...

Hello Everyone, this is the first time to post. It is very encouraging to see everyone's beautiful travel photos!
I have liver mets after Fasolodex failed, and switched to Xeloda recently. Im on my 3rd cycle and it effectively started killing mets (my CA 15 was shockingly 9000 high and on my 2nd cycle it dropped to 5000. It is still super high, but In general i still feel pretty good and work full time) so I want to stick to this med as long as i can.
Me and my husband are planning a trip to Bora Bora island in Tahiti next month. This will be our honeymoon since we got married last year but we couldn't go last year since i used up all my vacation time for my lymph node resection surgery.

My doctor saids as long as i feel good in general, we can go and he can work around the schedule.
My concern is my foot and hand syndrome- My feet started getting lot of peeling and blisters and if i walk long distance, i start getting burning sensation on my feet.

Does anyone have any tip on traveling to tropical island while on xeloda? Ive been using foot cream religiously but it is not helping with blister.

Hi Peanut. There is a thread for Xeloda, I think it’s called ‘All about Xeloda’, where you will find tons of helpful advice on dealing with HFS. I used “Udderly Cream’ religiously which kept things at bay. But the reality is, you will probably have to watch how much time you spend on your feet. Avoid baths or hot tubs which can worsen things.

I’m sure you can have a wonderful holiday with a bit of care. Enjoy!

hi

I’m the almost 6 years since diagnosis my family and I have traveled domestically and internationally. It does take some planning(around appts,scans,etc) and we always get travel insurance. When flying I usually wear a wrap on the arm I had my lymph nodes removed it’s debabable whether it helps or not but it makes me feel better and since I’m on Tamoxifen I always make sure to get up and walk to the bathroom and a couple times to help with the prevention of clots. Everything was worth the effort to get away and recharge amd enjoy time with my family. We are currently planning a short trip to the Cayman Islands in June. Good luck

HI Partrynd1, thank you for the link! Actually i've been using this cream for hand, and my hands have been ok. they got discoloration, but

not getting cracking or skin peeling. On the other hand, my feet are not doing so great, even after i've been using the foot cream by the same brand.
i will give it a try to Aveeno cream and see how it goes. Today was my scan day and im really nervous about the result, since my MD is considering maybe i need to switch to iv chemo depending on the result. But it is very nice to see so many people still traveling!

Am I allowed to brag? Just back from a week in Cuba. Really fascinating place. One of the best parts was I didn't take any kind of pill the entire week I was there! We skipped chemo for that week and it was like a free week off. . .

I'll figure out how to post a picture or two once I get them off my phone.