Holidays

Dear Sue, it depends how your husband feels in himself, how he can eat etc, everyone is different. I would also discuss it with the surgeon and oncologist. Our first trip was to Spain 6 months post total gastrectomy and second course of chemotherapy by plane. We took it very easy and slowly with lots of rest and no rushing. A month later we went to California. It all went well and was a good distraction and rewarding for the difficult time we had to go through. We always chose flights that were not too early in the morning or late at night, to avoid stress. Getting to airport and destination is very tiring. Once you are at your destination it gets much easier. Travel insurance was very expensive, we went with AllClear. It is worthwhile shopping around to see if there are more cost effective companies. Flying had no bad effect on him. I hope you can travel and enjoy it. My husband has a very occasional drop of whiskey, it is trial and error, he tolerated it well. Occasionally he has very little wine maybe 100mls.

Hi Sue, hope you and your husband are both well !

I flew recently to visit my Dad abroad and it was quite a surreal experience but only for the point that on take off I didn’t get that feeling you get on a roller coaster where your stomach goes funny, as I don’t have one so take off wasn’t quite as exciting as it was previously ! 

I dont drink alcohol so can’t help on that one, apologies. 

Thanks for taking the time to reply. My husbands doing fine, he’s eating ok and putting weight on slowly. For some reason he didn’t have chemo, his surgeon said they don’t give it to over 75 as they tend not to do so well with it, that’s a bit scary and I do worry  about that. I’ve emailed his nurse to ask her advice and we do try and get day flights from our local airport. Again thanks Mystic X

Thanks Red10 for the info also for the  help you’ve given us in the past couple of months,  it’s much appreciated thanks. Hope you’ and your family are doing well too Xx

Hi Sue

A holiday is lovely and I know how I felt when I went back to Portugal a year after I had been diagnosed…about six months after my surgery.   It takes a bit of planning and I don’t like flights later in the day to reduce the risk of delays!  Perhaps a short break is a good first step? But the medical team may be able to advise when it’s safe to fly. 

I got travel insurance from Saga but there’s a group on the Forum so have a look there.  Saga is for those of us of a certain age, when illness is more common,  it wasn’t too expensive.

Great to hear your husband is doing well.. so good to hear positive stories!

It’s a pleasure and am glad it’s been helpful and of use.

I try and remember from my journey through the trenches that someone who helped pull me through it, said to me …

ONE DAY YOU'LL TELL YOUR STORY OF HOW YOU'VE OVERCOME WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH NOW, AND IT WILL BECOME PART OF SOMEONE ELSE'S SURVIVAL GUIDE.

Hi, I haven’t flown but I heard of a good insurance company called ‘insurance with’ they specialise in cancer patients.               I was advised not drink alcohol for at least 6 months after the operation and when you do take it easy as the effects of alcohol is lot quicker to start with. I’ve had the odd glass of wine, gin and tonic (tonic sometimes is too fizzy for me still). 
Take care 

Michele