Hello group members,
I was diagnosed with stage 3 MCL 9 months ago at the age of 64.
Underwent the Nordic Protocol followed by high dose chemo with autologous stem cell support, completed in Nov 2019. Currently receiving bi-monthly injections of rituximab.Now regaining stamina and energy, feeling well and splenomegaly hugely reduced.
I have wished for some time to travel to Costa Rica on a wildlife holiday. Now wondering:
1. How travel insurance companies are likely to respond to my request for travel insurance.
2. If anyone has any safety advice for NHL patients travelling to this part of the world.
Thanks in advance. Chris (topher)
Hi again Chris
A holiday is great for the wellbeing.
So from my prospective having had 2 Allo SCTs my team would not 'sign me fit' for travel out with the UK or to be in a plain for two years........ then I did the clearance from my team with a "we can't guarantee if you will be safe in a plane due to your reduced immune system - but we will say ok"
I did get ok priced Travel Insurance.... £130 multi trip in Europe for 2 people. I did a test to see what price I would be at 1 year post SCT and was not given any quotes.
Insurers will see SCT to be a major hurdle for calculating risk especially if you are on maintenance.
O have been to Central America 20 years back and some of the injections I had to have were live ones - so for me I would not be allowed to have them now.
You need to have a good talk with your team about this and they will have to 'sign you fit' to go........ then you try and get insurance.
This is some information that my friend latchbrook would put up as she looks after our Travel Insurance Group
ps: You could also post your question in our Stem Cell Transplant group
All the best.
As every quote is tailored to the individuals circumstances it isn't possible to say whether the quote you've been given is a reasonable price or not. Unfortunately it can be more difficult to find reasonably priced travel insurance when you have had a cancer diagnosis.
I don't know whether you've had a chance to look through the member's stories thread yet as it's where the majority of recommendations from other forum members are. If not, clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.
It is best to phone the insurance companies rather than try and do online quotes as sometimes they can refer to the underwriters to see if they would provide cover when an online quote might just give you a straight refusal.
Make sure you have all the information to hand about your diagnosis and treatment before contacting the insurers. This is a list of things an insurance broker might want to knowwhen you're applying for insurance. Some insurers might ask for a letter from your doctor to prove that they have given you permission to travel.
Hi Chris, pleased that I was online to give you a quick reply.
My story is a long and you can see it by hitting my community name.
My rare type of Skin NHL basically went out of control mid 2013 so by the end of 2013 we had to throw the book at it........ and apart from all the other treatments - 2 Allo SCTs were part of the plan from the start.
Due to the nature of the condition I was never in remission from the start way back in 1999 and went into both SCTs with active cancer cells so an Auto SCT would never work.
The first Allo in One 2014 was using a newish conditioning that was not toxic but used targeted therapies and radiotherapy..... and if it worked great as I would not be in a bad way at the end of the treatment.... but is did to work and it was all abc again by the end of 2014....... so I went back in October 2015 for the final roll of the dice and we gave it everything.....just about got me after the final Chemo....... but that is now over 4 years back and I am doing great..... and yes, heard the work remission back in September 2016.
