Holidays during treatment

Hello,

I think if you could take your holiday before starting radiotherapy,  apart from the fact you might feel less active, it might be ok. However, I made the mistake of taking a holiday about two weeks after radiotherapy finished( I had had chemo previously) as my husband wanted to treat me to something nice after months of very debilitating treatment. I didn't account for the effect of fatigue. ( So unexpectedly different from feeling tired. ) At the beginning, I tried to do things as I would have previously but we quickly realised I needed to stop more often, found queing impossible and couldn't walk long distances easily. We were in Tuscany and only when we changed our planning, visited places in small sections, took plenty of coffee breaks and I returned to the accommodation to rest every afternoon, did we enjoy it.

Of course everyone is different. You may get replies from those who were unaffected. Others may have experience of travel insurance problems. I didn't need flight insurance as we drove from France but I have read other posts where there have been complications.

Whatever you decide I hope the rest of your treatment goes well.

I finished my 5 days of radiotherapy on the 8th March and we went to Egypt on the 20th March for 10 days. We did nothing on holiday apart from read, listen to music, lay by the pool, went for short walks and ate good food. It was the BEST thing I could've done. I went on that holiday feeling so tired and not myself and when I got home I felt like a new woman.

My hair started had growing back and on the last couple of days of the holiday I noticed my eyelashes and eyebrows coming back. I didn't wear my wig during the day, no one knew me and I didn't care. It was so freeing.

I certainly couldn't have gone anywhere during chemo but after RT it was just what I needed. I think as long as you plan to rest you will be fine.

Thank you both - I shall discuss with my consultant when I have my next follow up in 2 weeks but good to know it is doable in theory xx

I had my surgery on 8 June last year. On 12 June a day later than booked, I went on hols but it was only to Yorkshire.  It was the first year I didnt take out the extra insurance to safeguard it and if it was not to be cos of covid then I would be OK. Was dammed if I was going to lose holiday as it was a lot of money. I just scaled down what we did and made sure I rested although I had trouble sleeping. Partner was very understanding and we made do. This years holiday will be better for us. I think you may just need to be wary of how tired you may feel depending on where younare in treatment but good luck x

Just as an aside, daughter (a blood cancer, not bc) had so much treatment over 7 years, her consultant was happy to work around her frequent work trips both in the UK and abroad. So talk to your team but remember the fatigue levels too. 

Hugs xxx