Good news!

[Beryl71]

Well, after my trip to Scotland I have gathered confidence to go further afield, so am planning a walking trip with Ron in Northern Spain in June. So then I looked at travel insurance-scary prices to start with but realised I needed a definitive statement from my oncologist. So I braved up and asked rather than wait for my next appt. to get scan results. And it was good news- no active lesions in the lungs, and decrease in number and size of tumours in bones. So I'm walking on air and making mental plans for lots of things whilst I'm on the up and feeling well (other than some grotty days after the zolondronic acid). I think I will have to pay between £400-500 for a week's insurance, and of course annual policies are now off limits.

I'm trying my past insurer Covered2go and another website called Paying too much which has come up with a company called Insure4me. Will keep you posted.

I'm attaching a photo of one of the groups of children I have raised funds for in Nicaragua. They're just getting their annual school uniform.

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Maybe I'll even get back there next year!

Sent from a very grey and cold West Sussex!

[Beryl71]

Great and thanks for the insurance info. Now I've realised that I'm actually on several treatments, letrozole, ibrance and zolondronic acid the quote are coming out at £1400!

[Nocillo]

Are you doing the Camino de Santiago? Glad for the good news!

[Beryl71 in reply to Nocillo]

No it's a little village in Pyrenees where I used to do my Spanish Immersion trips. X

[Nocillo in reply to Beryl71]

Sounds wonderful!

[SabaAK]

❤️🙏

[Hazelgreen]

Congratulations, Carolyn, on all your positive news! Thanks for sharing the link regarding your fundraising work for schools in Nicaragua. Such a worthwhile project for an educator! I'm thinking I need something similar to occupy my attention - passive giving to various charities is clearly not enough to distract my attention from my physical concerns.

I, too, am hoping to resume overseas travel this year. I've never taken out travel insurance in the past even though we visited Poland after I was diagnosed in 2019, and Ecuador after my open heart surgery in 2018. I simply take my chances that I won't become more ill in the two/four weeks out of the 52 that we are not in Canada.

I did read the information in the link Sandra provided, and that company seems to have the right perspective. However, insurance companies in Canada are highly profitable, huge corporations. (I worked for Canada Life in Toronto for six months in 1965, and have kept a passing interest in the business.)

Warm wishes from me to you,

Cheers,

Cindy

[stardust1965]

This is great news! I’m so pleased your meds are working and you are getting back your confidence to travel. In February 2020 I travel to NZ from the U.K. and also used InsuranceWith. I found it was best to speak to them on the phone to cover all the bases. Pre-Covid my quote for their category of “the rest of the world” which covered Dubai and New Zealand wasn’t that expensive in total for four weeks. I’ve not needed to get travel insurance since then though. At £1400 I’m not sure I’d bother with the insurance. Perhaps you could find out if there is still some kind of medical reciprocal agreement between Spain and the U.K. post Brexit?In the summer I swapped the Zoledronic acid for Denosumab. No more daunting trips to the chemo suite, just a simple injection at my oncology appointment. I did ask at my previous hospital but was turned down as Denosumab is more expensive. Some hospitals seem to offer it as standard, others only in exceptional circumstances. You could try asking though. I hope you are now getting some kind of continuity at ESH.

Let us know how you get on with the insurance cover. And if you post holiday photos we can live vicariously through them! 😆

Good luck. 🤞

[Beryl71 in reply to stardust1965]

Thanks. I've got a bit more consistency and new oncologist seems on the ball, just hope it doesn't change again. I think you're right, it all sound worse on paper. I'm off for a walk having spent hours on the screen yesterday, so will get back to it later. I've found one for just under £800. The GHIC covers you for basic hospital care at same rate as locals but I need travel cover in case of cancellation. X

[stardust1965 in reply to Beryl71]

Good to hear the new onc is on the ball. It’s so unsettling to see someone different at every appointment, especially when they don’t know your history and haven’t read your medical records. Enjoy the walk.

[love2golfwell]

So happy for your great news. Your trip to Spain sounds wonderful. I think it is good to make plans for future adventures. It gives you something to look forward to and keep fighting for. I also love the picture of the beautiful school children you have raised funds for. Keep up your good works and hope you continue to have good health news. Sending hugs.

[Beryl71 in reply to love2golfwell]

There are eight schools in total! And I've persuaded an organisation that helps me to build a school for another. All started from an inspiring holiday when I chose to go off the tourist route and meet the people!

[hurricaneheather]

celebrate the news and you! thank you for your service to children and their families in Nicaragua.

[hopenowandtomorrow]

Very happy for you Carolyn! It’s wonderful to know you can make plans doing what you love! You may want to check with Allianz for travel cancellation insurance. ❤️🙏❤️

[RLN-overcomer]

Soooooo happy for the news of your great scan results sister/warrior/(Thriver) I am happy you got to travel to Nicaragua, and fellowship with your sponsored charity. I will live vicariously through you.😇 Keep on living, and loving your life. Yesssss, and Yayyyyy👍

[mariootsi]

How beautiful and kind of you to help these beautiful children. I admire you!