Does flying cause pain for brain cancer suffers

Hi Emma

I was diagnosed with Glioma-4 towards the end of last year & had chemo / radio over xmas & new year.Am now on 5 days chemo every 4 weeks.   

point being I was given the all clear to fly for a honeymoon & came back from Lanzarote 10 days ago without any issues. Only thing to watch is insurance, I got it through ny bank account luckily.

So glad you had your honeymoon, which is so positive.  I had brain surgery and still suffer with headaches and pressure.  Did you have surgery?

I want to give the kids a lovely family holiday, as they have been through enough and not sure if I am pushing myself too early.  Then the other part of me says I don't know how long I have got, so go for it.  Just getting scared for yet more pain on a plane when I can't get off until the journey has ended.

Thank you for taking the time to respond, it's appreciated.

HI Emma

a warm welcome to the group.  Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but delighted to hear you're planning a holiday. Where are you thinking about going to?

My husband was diagnosed with GBM4 in Sept 2020 and has flown a few times since he recovered from his surgery and treatment. Admittedly none of the flights have been long haul but he has travelled to France twice with no issues. Everyone is different though so please check with your medical team.

Insurance as Andy says below can be tricky, We got my husband insurance via AllClear. To give you an idea of costs, he was £300 for 4 days cover for going to Paris and slightly more for a week's skiing holiday in the alps. 

Remember you can also  call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, emotional support, benefit and financial guidance or just a listening ear. They may also be able to offer some travel guidance.

Hope this helps, 

love n hugs

Wee Me xx

Thank you for your response it is really good to hear this.  We are planning on going Zante, so not a long flight.  We have been in discussion with the medical team and I will only proceed if they are happy for me to do it.  I am just panicking about it as I have flown with sinutis in the past and the pain was intense.  I am with the Macmillian team and I have a great team at the hospital looking after me.  I just wanted to ask someone who has my condition and flown before.  It has helped to ease my mind.  

Kind regards, Emma

Good Morning

I flew post awake craniotomy, the only issue I had was I felt a bit dizzy during take off and landing. When I was at cruise level I was fine. Hope this helps a little.

Also if I may say, finding the balance between how long you have left and being careful is a tough balance. I have found if I want to do then so be it, and if not then so be it. Putting the added pressure an yourself can be very tiring. 'Live every day' sentence just frustrates me, and adds more guilt. Just be who you are. Hope you manage to get on your hols!!

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Thank you for your comments it is really useful.  As a family we have always loved spending our money traveling as s family, so I really want to go away and now people have said they weren't in pain with the taking off and landing has eased my worries.  My intentions is to go on holiday unless the Drs say otherwise.  Travel insurance is another challenge though, do that will keep me busy.