I am 78 male living in metro LA and was diagnosis of CLL last summer. My last clinical visit to my hematologist was Oct 7, 2022, next one is April 6, 2023. The latest lab results of Dec 13, 2022 read as WBC 14.7 and Lymphocyte Absolute 8.91, both slightly higher than last report of Sep 9. My next lab is scheduled for Mar 24 with a 3-month interval. NO SYMPTOM at all except until three months ago that I found some swollen lymph nodes on both sides of lower neck areas, things on right side are more bigger and obvious. Back then I called the clinic and the doctor's assistant ordered a Extremity Study on my right leg. Nothing wrong was detected.
I have diabetes, high blood pressure and BHP for about 15 years, have taken medications regularly. All indications are good under control. I exercise about an hour everyday for the past five years, generally in good health condition, perform any physical and mental activities just like normal person, feel younger in mind, always positive even with CLL.
After the pandemic I've traveled to Japan and Taiwan for two weeks in November, coming back just fine. I am again planning a one month long trip visiting Taiwan, Vietnam and Australia on April 19 and have to book my flights and hotel NOW before my next lab appt of Mar 24 and hematologist appt on Apr 6. Appreciate any comments that whether I should go ahead with this plan without worrying about my next lab and doctor visit.
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CLL07072022
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Hi there! Sounds like you love travelling, and I wouldn't give that up! Your doctor can, of course, give you the best advice, but if you're boosters are up to date, go for it. I've been on W & W for 5 years, and done a fair bit of travelling. I haven't had COVID yet, whereas almost all of my younger, healthier family members and friends have! My point is we just don't know what life will send us, so carpe diem. My humble opinion. Again, your doctor can give you lots of great advice. Take care!
I have been travelling a bit since the Pandemic , mainly Uk to USA within the US and Europe.Am also on W and W with relatively low Lymph and WBC counts but no symptoms.I would suggest getting flights and hotel and other accommodation which can be cancelled or changes easily and good travel insurance Try and go for a higher less crowded class on planes and have good travel insurance
You will find very few Covid safeguards on your travels, so arrange your own. In every indoor space where you share air with lots of people, wear a N95 face mask, making sure it fits really well. If you travel with a partner, same applies. Don't handle your mask without first sanitizing your hands, which means carry gel at all times. Take a good supply of best-fitting masks with you.
Observe this #1 precaution especially on public transport: buses, trains, flights, stations and airports, and in other crowded places.
When dining out, go al fresco whenever possible; if not, choose an airy restaurant, a quiet time and a table away from others.
Research where near your destination you can obtain Covid antivirals should you need them.
Pack a few Covid test kits.
Everything counts toward lowering risk. Be smart and plan ahead.
Yes I have had five Covid 19 vaccinations. I will take your advice to watch out all necessary preventions not only for this trip but also in everyday living since our immune system may not be as strong as others. Thx. Ted
Thank you for the very detailed mentions of Covid 19 preventions. I've been seriously observing all those as much as possible in the past three years. Unfortunately we still can't get rid of it for now. Please also take care.
I traveled extensively before moving to treatment, with Watch and Wait lasting 20 months. I was able to manage infection risk along the way, though it took some doing.
bennevisplace has the gist of it. Manage your risks while traveling and odds are you will be fine. You never are going to eliminate all risk, but protect yourself from the more problematic situations.
My personal list:
- right destination. Places with plenty of outdoor or less-crowded activities are best. Lots of cramped restaurants, bars, and indoor venues are worst. Skiing, hiking, and beach vacations work well.
- right travel mode. Driving is best. Hotel risks can be managed, though AirBnB is a good option as well. Air flight statistics are quite good; the problem is more the surrounding activities like ticket counters, security lines, and rental car shuttles. Avoid taxis and Ubers where you are stuck in close proximity to a high-exposure individual.
- right timing. Off-peak hours for travel, restaurants, and activities can really help reduce exposure.
- right equipment. A box of well-fitting N95 masks. Some decent hand sanitizer. Travel drug standards like immodium, ciproflaxin, and malarone.
- right activities. Open-air restaurants, less-crowded venues, outdoor activities where possible.
- manage exposure while on the road. We did a lot of takeout from good restaurants and brought it back to the hotel/condo. I wear N95 masks, correctly fitted, anywhere indoors where I'm not eating, and I'll switch restaurants if crowded or not well-ventilated.
- insurance coverage if things go wrong. Be careful about COVID and existing-condition exclusions in the policy. There are products that specifically cover these things; I've had good luck with Allianz Travel as a US-based traveler.
I did stop travel once treatment started, and given my energy levels, I'm OK with that decision. But I flew 100k+ miles while in Watch and Wait and did not have any major issues. Enjoy the road while you can.
My biggest concern if I travel is the air quality in hotel rooms. You can Lysol all the surfaces but if someone had Covid in the room just before you , how do you clean the virus in the air? Should you keep your n95 mask on all the time?
after three years, this spring and summer we will use a hotel room again on short road trips, and indeed, the concern you mentioned there I’ve got as well. while creating our itineraries, I am looking for hotels with the option of opening up the windows ..
A few things to add to the already great advice about COVID precautions, travel insurance, etc.:
1) visit a travel clinic at the hospital affiliated with your CLL doctor, so the travel clinic has access to your records. Typically the infectious disease department of the hospital will have a travel clinic. it can give you the most up to date information about vaccines and other precautions. it can also provide you with documentation for certain issues.
for example, a yellow fever vaccine is sometimes required in third world countries. It is a live vaccine and therefore forbidden for folks with a damaged immune system. The travel clinic doc can write you an exemption so you can get through customs of the country your visiting.
2) think about the kind of OTC meds you should bring with you, especially for gastro intestinal problems.
3) Another question to ask is about prophylactic use of antibiotics. Given our damaged immune system, some docs may authorize you to get a prescription for azithromycin or other antibiotic. You would take it with you and at the first sign of a bad cold, etc, you would have something potent to combat it.
4) speaking of antibiotics, does your travel kid include antibiotic cream for cuts, bruises, burns, etc.? Has it expired?
i wrote an article about travel prep while having CLL for the cll society web site. you may want to check this out:
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