My husband had myelodysplastic syndrome from age 59 and kept pretty well until December 2023 age 72, when he became very unwell with overwhelming fatigue, loss of strength and mobility, night sweats. He was finally given a bone marrow biopsy in June 2024 after the GP discovered his spleen was grossly enlarged. A scan showed it was 30cms, he also had bilateral pleural effusions and ascites. The biopsy showed he had Myelofibrosis and he was started on Ruxolitinib (jakavi) in August 2024. Since then his condition has improved and he’s having physio to help with strength and poor balance. We are thinking of trying to go on a cruise in Europe but need advice on travel insurance, we are coming up against a brick wall. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Sallysay and welcome to the Community. I am Mike and I help out around our blood cancer groups.
I don't have Myelofibrosis but I have lived with and been treated for 2 types of rare T-Cell Non Hodgkin's Lymphomas for 25 years so although my blood cancer ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
A Cruise sounds amazing....... but as you are experiencing getting affordable Travel Insurance can be a challenge and at times the price quoted could be higher than the cost of the holiday and some people do find that no Insurance is being offered as being on any active treatment can be a red flag to Insurance providers especially a Cruise.
I personally had to be 2 years in remission and not on any cancer related treatments for my types of blood cancer before I could get any price (and that was with my consultant saying I was clear to fly a good 18 months before).
But these decisions are often all down to cancer types, treatment, prognosis and the resulting risk factor put on by the insurers risk assessment - I am very open to serious infections due to a reduced immune system so this was seen as a high risk factor for insurers.
Comparison sites tend to use the same algorithms so getting a clear price can be difficult and it’s not that unusual to be turned down or told to call the insurers.
It is actually more effective to call a few insurers directly as this means that you have answered all the questions correctly and in doing this a suitable policy can be offered and price given.
Full disclosure is always advisable as in the event of you developing any issues this can reduce the risk of an insurance companies wriggling out from paying out.
As a Macmillan Volunteer I can’t be perceived to recommend any companies but do have a look through the link below…….
Recommended travel insurance 2023-25
……… that is an ongoing discussion thread in our Travel insurance group as it's where the majority of recommendations from other forum members are.
You can also look through all the individual members of posts in the group as well.
I do hope you can get cover.
