Travelling abroad after chemo

[Madmarilyn]

I am about to have my third round of chemo of six sessions, hoping it ends early December. I know I'm jumping the gun rather, but any advice on how wise it is to travel afterwards? I'd like to know a) how soon after treatment it's safe re: my immune system, b) when it's likely that insurance companies might insure me, and c) if you all have tips and tricks re: staying safe after such a hit to the immune system! (I find the inability to plan really frustrating, too, but I guess there's no way round that!)

[Lou53]

Marilyn,

I would talk to your team about how soon but from my experience do it sooner rather than later to avoid any possible recurrence spoiling it for you. I wasn't able to get insurance as it cost a lot more than the holiday and an emergency flight home would be cheaper. If you travel in Europe with an up to date E111 and research nearby hospitals with cancer treatments that is as good a way as any to manage the risk. Definitely go before Brexit!

Louise

[Madmarilyn in reply to Lou53]

Thanks Lou. I had an annual policy with Nationwide's FlexPlus account for a while, then managed to get another when they declined to reinsure me, but my recurrence understandably allowed them to cancel it - though I did squeeze in a trip to Orlando in a tiny window in May, between appointments and before surgery. Now I'm just wondering how long before my immune system can handle a flight and the associated risk of infection, and how soon before Ibstand any chance of an insurer wanting to take a risk on me. If not, I guess it will have to be Europe on the EHIC!

[sticky3006]

Hello,

I finished chemo three weeks ago and went to Budapest last weekend. I'm now on three weekly Avastin and we're going to Cyprus in three weeks too. I got insurance through Insurewith as recommended by the great girls on here and it cost me £50 for three days. You can only get single trip insurance with them I think. I didn't do anything differently before we went but just tried to drink lots of water on the plane and continued to eat healthily. We walked for miles while we were there and I loved it! Have fun x

[Juleswhee]

Hi Marilyn, Talk to your oncology team . My team found out via ca125 and scan that I had recurred. Like a lot of hospitals they do not routinely do chemo at that stage but rather wait for you to feel unwell and despite the ca125 being 900 I was feeling Ok , however because I had an upcoming trip planned they started chemo , I had two lots and then stopped four weeks before I went away and resumed when I came home so I had an 8 week break in between .My professor worked it all out for me so that I was in no way susceptible while away . I think the teams are all about quality of life so I am sure they will give good advice whenever you want to go .Julia xx

[Seasun36-uk]

Hi Marilyn,

I would say 3 week’s post chemo, as that’s when we usually get the next one (so our bodies must have recovered somewhat/largely!).

Single trip insurance seems the way to go (I was declined annual, as so much is changing with one’s treatment etc).

I’d say be careful of eg. the drop-down tables in planes, crowds (anyone coughing/sneezing!), door handles, ice in drinks....but don’t let it put you off!

Take meds with you for every eventuality (bowels, pain relief, anti-histamines, hand gel, wipes) including Dioralyte (for dehydration).

I’m making it sound scary but if you take it all, you’ll feel safer 🙂

Best wishes, Linda 🌺🔆🌼🌺

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Marilyn,

From an insurance perspective, I think they like you to be 3 weeks clear of chemo before they will insure you. If you are having any maintenance therapy, it’s probably worth just phoning the insurers and going through it with them, because if you apply on line, it will most likely ask you to call them anyway.

I also recommend Insurance With - I got 2 weeks in the USA whilst still on Avastin for £140, whilst other companies wanted £1800!

I hope you can plan something lovely for when you finish treatment.

Vicki x

[Yoshbosh in reply to Yoshbosh]

Oh, and when we flew, I took a mini pack of anti-bac wipes and wiped down the back of the chair in front, the tray table, arm rests etc 😁 I took them out with me to restaurants as well and would give the table a little wipe if it didn’t look clean!

[Beatit66]

Hi, I live in Canada and am in England now and have just had my 6th cycle over here, I am leaving in 3 weeks time to go home and they are going to give me a blood thinning shot the day before I leave but this is really for long haul flights! Hope every think goes ok.

[Madmarilyn]

Thanks to everyone, some great advice. My hope is to get insurance to go to the USA, ideally next Feb. Wonderful to hear so many of you are still travelling, let's hope the recent news about insurance companies ripping off those with chronic conditions has some effect!

[Juleswhee in reply to Madmarilyn]

Make sure you check out “Insurance With” the premium is low however the excess is loaded but it’s the way around I think it should be xx