Vacation

[darlenejulien]

I was wondering about traveling! I was Dx Aug. 2017 with mets to the bone in my spine. It's in the whole spine. We were asked to go on a cruise with friends. My husband & I discussed this & thought it might not be a good idea, with everything we have heard about people getting sick on these trip's. Now I'm wondering about flying! Being cooped up in a plane for hours with people who might be sick! Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Jerseygirl45]

Darlene, I was diagnosed in July 2016, and I felt like you. I tried to stay away from big stores, crowds, hospitals, wash my hands a lot. Only use paper towel to dry even at home. So afraid to catch germs. I love to cruise. Cruise port right in my town literaly blocks from my house.

Then I thought, how long do I have, no one will tell you. Will I start feeling worse? I NEED TO ENJOY WHAT TIME I HAVE LEFT.

I have been on three cruises since and I am going on one to Bermuda this month April 29. I try to stay away from people coughing, wash my hands a lot. Clean things in my cabin with Lysol wipes when I get there. I always take trip insurance in case something happens. It will cover you to be helicoptered off ship if you get sick. I try to book 3 months before, get some good deals. Don’t stop doing things you enjoy. Treat like a chronic illness, there will be a time when you may not feel well enough to travel. Do it now.

I had a friend die from cancer in December. She told me months before she died. Giving me advice. I always thought I would get better, if I knew they were the good years I would have done more. I will not forget that because these are the good days and I will enjoy them. So plan your cruise, take insurance, it will pay if you need to cancel. It is only 7 days you will make it, and enjoy time with friends. Before you know it you will be planning your next cruise. Everything is right there, restaurants , shows, pool, games. Get off ship in ports if you want if not, sit by pool, read a book, enjoy life.

Barbara

[darlenejulien in reply to Jerseygirl45]

Thanx Barbara! You hit the nail on the head.....How much time do we actually have ! It's not like the doctors know.

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to darlenejulien]

They don't, I thought I had months to live. No one would say anything. Started settling up affairs, I was so nervous. When I joined this site, there are women who have been dealing with this for 14,20 years. I also have mets to my back, and ribs. Sure I hurt most days. I take an aleve if I have to. Saving strong meds for someday when I really need them. I sit in my chair and rest if it hurts. Then I get up and move until it hurts again. I am glad you agree with me. Go on your cruise while you can enjoy it. What do you do at home that is harder or more fun. I hope you go.

Barbara

[SeattleMom in reply to darlenejulien]

That is so true! My oncologist recently told me, "You are more likely to die in a car wreck ten or twenty years from now than you are from this disease." Not sure why, but that made me feel SO MUCH BETTER!! LOL!

[darlenejulien in reply to SeattleMom]

Wow, that is great! Not the car wreck!

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to SeattleMom]

Wow! That makes me feel better too. Thank you for sharing that.

[darlenejulien]

I'm just tired a lot & find I can't keep going like I use too! Now we have a 16 mos. old granddaughter that I would like to see grow up. I'm lucky, I have no real pain that advil can't crunch. But you are right I was very surprised to read how many have been going strong for so many years! Ibrance, Xgeva & Faslodex keep me going! I will diff. talk to my husband about this vacation. But maybe something like Maui would be better right now! Need some alone time to enjoy life with my hubby (& God know's I can't party like I use too)!

Darlene

[nstonerocks]

I work in as a school nurse, talk about germs. It is true, they are everywhere. If you need reassurance, talk to your doctor. I have travelled so much since my diagnosis. I used to be extremely afraid to fly but decided now that it is clear I won’t live forever, I want to see and experience life fully. Just got back from a trip to Italy that was magical. It gives me such joy to plan and take trips. I’m not going to wait for the other shoe to drop. It will one day, and then what? It took me so long to stop grieving for myself. Fill your life with the things that light you up!

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to nstonerocks]

You are right. I am done feeling sorry for myself,there are people suffering a lot more than me. I need to keep looking forward. Since I retired I want to travel as much as I can.

[Jerseygirl45]

There you go everyone agrees, let's enjoy the time we have left. I too am going to have a new granddaughter in August. And I will be going on a road trip with my daughter to drop my 18 yr old granddaughter off to Clemson college in Aug. so I need to keep healthy so I don't miss the good things in life.

[SusieIM]

Your right ladies, we do need to live life to the fullest.

[Dianne417]

Hi, Darlene! I also have mets in my spine, and one place on my pelvis, and I have never allowed my diagnosis to stop me from working, traveling and going to school. My medical oncologist gave me permission to carry a rucksack, so I went hiking in Glacier NP last summer. I have been on a combination of Ibrance, Letrozole and Xgeva over the past 15 months and thankfully have experienced no pain, but have had to work around fatigue here and there. I have not let my diagnosis stop me from living.

Of course, w/a compromised immune system, you want to be careful whether you're in the grocery store or on a cruise, but I think it's important to not let these concerns stop you from doing what you love most. You don't want to look back and say, "I should have done that while I still had the chance."

[Rhwright12]

Hi! I also Mets to the bone about 12 in all...diagnosed July ‘16...Last summer went to Disney for a week with a friend...I honestly did better than her with walking and the heat! Planning a weekend this summer to Hocking Hills in Ohio for zipping and canoeing...As long as u feel good do what u want and enjoy! I’m not changing me till I have to!

-Heather

[JulSoul]

I was afraid, just like you. I was diagnosed November 2016, mets to the bone and small one in my lung. After 16 cycles on Ibrance, Letrozole and Xgeva, I am holding my own. We are traveling again. I take more precautions. I wear on a mask on the plane. Who cares! I clean the arm rests and tray tables with wipes. I clean the rooms when I get there. I wear compression socks when flying and also take a baby aspirin. No, I can’t hang like I used to, but I am still out there having fun and making memories with those I love. So far have not gotten sick!!! Go for it!

[darlenejulien]

I appreciate all the feedback Ladies! We move into our new house in May, so we hope to take a trip in Aug/Sept. Look out Maui, if all goes well I'll be on the beach with a Mai Tai!

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to darlenejulien]

Good for you! That sounds great. Moving is stressful you will need a vacation. Good luck.

Barbara

[Selmac]

My cancer spread to spine, ribs, shoulder bones and hip bones. I just talked to my Oncologist about a cruise. He said go for it. Do whatever you want when you can. Live your life. He said if i ever go downhill really fast, he would get me home and take care of it.

[Sheila100856 in reply to Selmac]

I love your oncologist responce♥️

[darlenejulien]

This has got to be the best site! When someone needs a little help everyone comes to the rescue! Thank You! Live life to the fullest, enjoy the time we all have here & LIVE!

I have such an over protective husband, he worries more then me. Sometimes a bit to cautious, like I can't use sweet n low, deodorant is natural (yuck), no diet soda........He is still not sold on the cruise, but flying should work.

[blms]

I am new to this metastatic disease--well not really but 20 years of stage 3 remission. But, I am new to Ibrance--one second month. My youngest is graduating from college next month, and we are going to Florida for that. I am uneasy about whether or not to take the Ibrance while Im gone or to schedule so that I am not on my low neutrophil count that week. So, I know you all say go for it, and I agree as I would not miss for anything but not sure how to think of the meds and the time frame. Any ideas on THAT?

[1998withStage4]

I’ve been living with metastatic breast cancer in my bones since 1998. I’ve had some difficult treatments and some relatively easy ones. I’ve traveled widely even while on some heavy duty chemo. My oncologist has given me chemo breaks for some of these trips and I don’t think it has impacted my health. With all my f my travels including to Vietnam and twice to Guatemala, I’ve not gotten sick. I’ve just been careful about water, keeping hand sanitizers nearby and watching what I eat. Using those disposable masks are good for the flight. Just bring sanitized wipes to clean off armrests, chair and flip table. Use tissues to open bathroom doors.

[blms]

So are you all saying just take the meds as you would and be careful or take break for a couple of weeks from taking meds?

[Petreep]

I took a trip to Greece when I finished my chemo. I was due to start radiation when I returned. I was a little afraid but had a great time. I was totally worn out in the evenings but was glad I went. I was stage iv at this time. I did take the travel insurance. So go if your dr okays the trip and have fun.

[MissyAnn68]

I have always traveled. Went to Vegas twice and Nassau Bahamas once while on Ibrance or Kisqali. (Even went to Nassau with a freshly broken leg!) I took precautions like hand washing, using chlorox wipes on the plane, stay away from people with a cough, and i am a believer in Young Living Essential Oils THIEVES! I put drops in a necklace or bracelet or just put on my collar.

I also have a friend who did liquid chemo for ovarian cancer mets and she still went on a cruise. She did well!

Also...please make sure you are getting the Xgeva shots! It stopped my spine met in its tracks!

[Buffwright]

I was diagnosed with MBC 24 months ago. I just got back from India — a 16 hour flight LA to Dubai and 3 hr flight to Delhi. Not too much coughing and sputtering on the flights...but I did get a cold before I returned. And my blood test three days after returning was better than usual. I take antibiotics with me when I travel. I’m not likely to quit traveling soon!

Talk to your doc about the risks to you, talk about precautions to take for wherever you go and read the other posts here. (Big confession — I popped for business class because I feel like my health was worth the expenditure! First time i’ve done so. It was lovely! Didn’t book the return in business, but upgraded for half the cost when I checked in for the return flight.

[PJBinMI]

I've traveled, too! One thing I really like about cruises is that there is always the bed there in our stateroom, ready for a nap if I need to take one, but I haven't! Plus, there is a doctor on board..... When I've flown the last few times, I request wheel chair assistance in the airports when I make my reservation. No point wasting my limited energy speed walking thru crowded airports! I've always had good service and have met some interesting wheel chair pushers, local people who can tell me about the cities we're in. And trip cancellation insurance is a must. My husband and I have taken some long car trips, too! I've had bone mets since I was diagnosed in 3/2004 but they've never given me pain and I've not been told to limit my mobility. I did fall on the ice a few years ago and fractured my ankle pretty badly. Totally non cancer related but it has sure been a bigger problem for me than the cancer has ever been! I'm 72 now, and never sure whether any fatigue I have is from age or 14 years of dealing with cancer! I'd rather blame cancer than age! But I plan to continue enjoying as much as I can, spending time with people I care about, and staying active in my community.

[darlenejulien]

Wow, 14 years is a long to time to be dealing with this and it sounds like your doing great. My husband is still a bit afraid to put me on a cruise, but we are hoping to do Maui! Good luck to you & continue enjoying your trips!

[PJBinMI in reply to darlenejulien]

I have a friend who is a retired travel agent and Maui is her favorite place to visit.

[lynnhbtb]

I composed a "found poem" from phrases in this thread. Wanted to share it with you all. Formatting wasn't what I liked, but it will have to do.

Found Poem from the thread on Health Unlocked

"I ‘m Thinking About Traveling"

It took me so long to stop grieving for myself.

My cancer spread

Thought I had months to live.

I am wondering about flying.

Cooped up in a plane for hours

with people who might be sick

So. Afraid. To. Catch. Germs.

Can’t party like I used to.

I love to cruise.

It’s only 7 days

Need some alone time.

I was afraid

Just like you

I take more precautions

If you need to,

Cancel.

I’m not changing me

‘til I have to.

Let’s enjoy the time we have left

Fill your life with things that light you up!

There you go

Everyone agrees

Enjoy time with friends

Keep healthy.

Don’t miss the good things in life

Go for it!

Live your life!

I hope you go.

[darlenejulien in reply to lynnhbtb]

Love it!

[Hidden]

Hi Darlene-

I'll add my two cents to the other great responses....GO!!! Oh my gosh, go someplace fabulous, have a great time, enjoy yourself! I can't think of anything more important at this time in your life! Germs, infectious diseases, etc., are much less threatening than they might seem. My doc told me that even when I have very low neutrophil counts, recent studies show that it does not necessarily lead to infectious diseases as frequently as "they" thought. Please go, and post again to tell us about what a great time you had!

Best,

Lynn

[Bailey3266]

OMGoodness; I’ve traveled on plane to Hawaii from Boston and 2 inter island flights; then to Italy and about 5 trips to California all in past 12 months; however I don’t have bone Mets so cannot speak to that (Lymph/Lungs); Knock wood; I thought I’d need mask on planes; I brought one first few flights (just in case I was next to a child or a sneezer/coughed). I’d go for it if your pain levels are ok; I’m glad I did what I’ve done; and hope to continue to travel as much as I’ve been able; I do know at some point I’ll have to slow down or halt travel; but for now I’ll keep at it as long as I’m able!