One of my biggest pleasures was traveling. And not just actual travel, but preparing, researching, booking etc. my trip notes are frequently requested by my friends.
While we traveled locally in the past 2years, we couldn’t go oversees. And this is what I want to do now, when I have a break from the scans and appointments.
I’m mostly in the wheelchair and need help with dressing (my husband is a saint!), but my recent scans were stable. I’d obviously pick the destination that is wheelchair accessible.
So here is my question:
Did any of the US ladies went oversees and how you handled the insurance situation in case what if? What additional insurance did you buy?
Do what you love and live your best life despite everything!
Polina
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Tolife_18
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Your are an inspiration. All I can say is WOW. You are courageous. I am also tempted to go without travel insurance. The worst that could happen is that we have to pay the bills on our line of credit when we get home. We have a large line of credit so we should just bite the bullet and go traveling without fear. But now to get my family to approve of that decision. They are all bossy. Hugs Marlene
Not sure if I am courageous per se... We have family in the UK and my husband's work takes him to Europe, so I tag along. India is work for me--on one one trip with an elderly colleague, she tripped and broke her hip and the medical care she received in the Mumbai hospital was so top line that I feel I might be better off there!
I do play the cancer card as an excuse to keep it simple and comfortable when I travel now. I horde points and air miles so we can stay in decent hotels, I keep itineraries very simple etc. Not sure how much longer I'll be up for it... but until I'm not...
I am still impressed with you for having the energy and drive to keep going and doing things like traveling. Travel can be tiring and so it is great that you are still doing all of this. And I hope you can tag along on these wonderful adventures for many many more years in your life. Hugs Marlene
good for you Polina! you will have the best time. like Pbsoup said....carpe diem! and don't delay. I made the mistake of putting off going to Italy (never been to Europe and my paternal grandparents immigrated from Italy) and now it is too late for me...my mistake. I have accepted. but if I had 'a saint' helping me....I'd be there😉. you are a lucky woman. but then, your husband is a very lucky man🤟. have no insurance advice. wanted to say I'm excited for you. you have had some rough times.... and this trip will be 'just what the doctor ordered'...lol. have you decided where? get busy researching and booking those plans✈️
My husband and I have just booked an 11-day ocean cruise in December to various ports in/near Greece. We spent 15 days on a German river cruise this past June. We do not pay for travel insurance which is very expensive for virtually very little.
I think the odds are small (1 in 25) of my becoming seriously ill during the few days we are away. I am more concerned about exposure to Covid germs than any other issue, but, fortunately, so are the cruise lines so masks are mandatory on board, etc. We, of course, have been vaccinated four times, and will get the fifth shot when it is available.
Hi Cindy! My husband and I just came back 2 weeks ago from a Caribbean cruise with Covid. We were very vigilant with wearing masks, hand washing ( they had stations set up) everyone had to have proctored negative tests 2 days before boarding and we had 4 full Moderna vaccines and a booster too and we still tested positive when we returned home. My husbands brother and his wife and their 2 adult children were with us . We all got it…. be prepared that this will happen. I had a relatively mild case and tested neg after 2 weeks. My husband is still testing positive and still has a horrible cough. Thankfully none of us got sick on the cruise except on the last day when it was time to leave the ship I could barely function. Flights were delayed enough causing missed connections so we had to get a hotel and fly out the next day…..by this time, all of our party was feeling the effects….I slept for 12 hours when I arrived at the hotel and thankfully got flights home the next day. All of us were as diligent as we could be and still got it.
Well, not a fun way to end a trip, but better than beginning it that way! I'm glad that you had a mild case. Sleeping does seem to be the best strategy for allowing the body to repair itself. Thanks for the warning that all the precautions aren't necessarily a prevention!
My husband and I would not travel without insurance but I applaud those who do. You need to find an insurance company that covers you. no questions asked. It cost more but they are available. We mostly travelled to Florida for the winter. We are still thinking about a trip to my husband's homeland ,Germany. Just thinking.
Dear PolinaYes, I have travelled quite a bit in my motorhome in this country and in May I travelled all over Scotland and in some parts of England in a rented car, mostly by myself. In Britain, travel insurance and health insurance are treated separately. Before I left for Britain, I asked for and got a letter from my health insurance co, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, plan J. The letter was not explicit but would have served if necessary, I think.. Additionally, I had booked the return on Queen Mary 2 through a British American Express card. In order to board a Cunard ship at that time in May, one needed exorbitant travel insurance coverage. Therein lies a tale. It turns out that that Amex card, because it is a British Platinum Amex, it includes 2,000,000 BPS travel insurance in its' benefits! I have no idea if this is at all helpful but may get you thinking about some other ways to cover yourself with travel insurance.
It seems to me that the obvious means of travel for you would be by ship or boat. What is your tentative plan?.
What a wonderful plans! Unfortunately, traveling by boat is not for us, since my husband gets severe sea sickness (we tried everything). River cruises would be an option, but they’re not wheelchair friendly. So it’s land only. I’m experienced enough in researching and planning the trip to find a good option. As far as the medical insurance going, I have a very good coverage through the credit card. However, it the review question. Means that anything they’ll consider cancer related may not be covered. Will try to figure out the best option.
Dear Polina - It reads as if you are way ahead of me and most others and have most of it figured out, already. My husband and I camped along most of the length of the Danube with our old Vw camper van. I must admit, when the beautiful boats plying the river passed by us, I often had a pang of longing. Where are you planning on going? I am getting all excited for you and your husband.
River cruise is amazing. We went on the Danube cruise a few years ago and liked it a lot. Highly recommend (it could get costly depending on the cruise line and itinerary).
I think it is wonderful that you are planning an overseas trip. I'm sure you will find several that will be wheelchair accessible. I say go and enjoy, especially since you have a wonderful husband to help you along the way. As for travel insurance, we bought some for a recent trip to Alaska. My husband does not really believe in travel insurance but I told him I would feel better if we bought it. In any event, hope you find a wonderful trip to plan! Sending hugs.
Here is the information about the company: Thank you for purchasing a Travel Guard Essential policy through TravelInsurance.com. Refer to the Description of Coverage for details. If you have any questions regarding your plan coverage, please contact Travel Guard's World Service Center at 1-877-906-3950 (press 2 at the prompt for Travel Guard). A Travel Guard representative is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you. Your order summary and links to your Confirmation of Benefits and Description of Coverage are below.
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Thank you! I also wanted to mention that you have to arrange the insurance within 2weeks of your initial trip payment to be covered for the pre-existing conditions.
I understand completely. I have decided not to travel overseas. I have trouble walking long distances due to years on chemo.. We recently went on a cruise to Alaska. I bought travel insurance through the Norwegian cruise line. It was through Allianz . The important thing is to have insurance for an air ambulance and as much medical coverage as you can buy. The price is high but the peace of mind is worth it. The cruise was wonderful for wheelchair excursions.
That is also my question. I want to know if there are any places to get reasonable and reliable insurance. I also want to travel but don't want to end up a pauper paying for expensive travel insurance. I am 79 years old and my husband is 81 but we are still doing well with our health. We live in Canada. We are both stable and still would enjoy traveling. Hugs Marlene
Hi Polina! I always buy travel insurance, but I did even before MBC. We've used it twice (once when we were in England and our son got sick back in the States) and it saved us big time. That one trip alone covered all the others. As far as health coverage, I haven't had to use that part, but I'm 5 1/2 years into my MBC journey and, of course, not as strong as I used to be nor is my immune system as robust. You might check with your insurance company to see what they'll cover. Travel insurance isn't for everyone, but it gives me peace of mind. I build it into the cost of the trip.
I have a dear friend who can afford to take trips which are out of our present finances and possibly condition. What I love about her is that she can share her big trip photos and I can share my one day photos with equal enthusiasm for each other.. I like that we share our small day delights here as well as those who can share their bigger trips.. We are so aware by our shared circumstances , of the Beauty of the moment.
This is a fabulous idea Mary! Reading all the posts where ladies traveled to far away or close by places (or even as far as their garden), I thought that we really should share a happy moments in our nor so easy lives.
Has anyone heard of any tours that are for those with caner and other disabilities? Like sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, and then start touring around 12 Noon? That would be my style! Kay
Hi Tolfie. I have plans to travel internationally next February. My oncologist recommended packing Covid home test kits, lots of good masks for indoors etc., a prescription for Paxlovid and the best Travel Insurance policy money can buy. I purchased the Deluxe Travel Insurance plan through Travel Guard with a pre-existing waiver and cancel for any reason rider. The total cost was $732.00. I had a credit voucher with Travel Guard from a previous trip that was cancelled at the start of the Pandemic. Back in 2017 I was on my way to Japan when I was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time. Travel Guard quickly refunded the entire cost of my trip to Japan. They are a great company. I would be lying if I said I was not afraid to travel at this time, but I am doing it anyway. As a fellow metastatic thriver says “You can’t live your life looking out the window”. This person just bought a camper and is traveling across the USA. Wishing you a wonderful trip filled with many happy memories. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your oncologist’s suggestions. I’ll follow them as well. And yes, I agree that Travel Guard is a great company. Use them quite a bit. T
I'd love to hear about your travel and see photos and notes about what stood out to you. I have had travel insurance when I've gone overseas but don't remember much about it. m One of my dearest friend's daughter is a travel agent and got the insurance for me, or at least gave me details so I could contact a reliable insurance company. I was going to suggest going on a cruise, too, and am sorry to hear how sea sick your husband becomes. My husband gets seasick, too, but the patches that go behind the ear worked well for him--he tested that first, locally before w e booked the cruise. ( he just came in and told me it was Rx Dramamine) We took one of the Alaska cruises on Holland America, a few years in to this mbc journey. I loved knowing the bed was always there if I needed it and there was a doctor on board in case passengers needed urgent care. Being out on Glacier Bay was an incredible experience....except for the ship we were on, no signs of human activity, just sky, water, shore and wildlife. So peaceful yet intense.... My other "best moment" traveling was taking the train (Eurrail) from Venice to Munich, thru the Alps. Incredible scenery. Some of the former military men with our group could spot where troops had set up things to trap the enemy during WWII, not a feature I had hoped for, or even thought of, but it was very interesting to hear their stories. I've been to Europe 3 times, all before cancer, and I would love to go again, but my energy is pretty low, I hope you can find the insurance you need to feel comfortable and that you'll have a great time. I loved traveling on Eurrail and Britrail, but that was awhile ago, 1987, 1990 and 2002. I loved my time in Italy! The culture, art, history, food, architecture.....all inspirational. (And the men are really good looking!) I was inRome on a Sunday and attended Mass at St. Peter's, with the Pope officiating. I'm not Roman Catholic but being there was very moving. Before we were able to go in. the Pope walked thru the crowd and he reached and blessed a toddler, whose mother became tearful and pretty soon we were all weeping, the good kind of tears. It was something that just took a few seconds, yet here I remember it 25 years later! The first time I went to Europe, one of the things tht really impressed me was how little space many people take up, as housing. And I realizaed that there are so many things I take for granted that are not part of how others experience life......
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What to discuss with your oncologist?
Lovely holiday in Tenerife - back to cancer life!
Looking for trials to live longer
Scans, and a new life in the shape of a fur ball.
not there yet but living with MBC 
