How soon can I holiday

My surgeon oncologist laughed at me when I said I wanted to do a cruise in May after finishing chemo on Feb 28.  I ended up doing 5 weeks of radiation therapy as well for my serous uterine cancer.  I was told no swimming for 5 weeks after completing therapy on May 7.  I am hoping to go away on a cruise in the fall and both oncologists thought that was fine.  Apparently it takes 6 to 8 months to get improved immunity after chemo and radiation.

Well done on getting close to the finish. I haven’t had discussion with oncologists about whether OK to go on holiday, but not planning anything until Sept in UK and November abroad.  Slightly off course, but I have been sorting travel insurance, ended up with Insurancewith, they asked the question about have doctors said OK travel, but also they had a question about have you completed radiotherapy in last 12 weeks, and cancer treatment in last 6 months. I left getting a quote until I was over 12 weeks post radio. 

Best wishes for your last chemo

Thank you both. My radiotherapy finished on 26th March so that’s 13 weeks ago. I had hoped to go somewhere like Glasgow or Edinburgh around September and abroad before the end of the year but my stamina would need to improve a good bit as I get very tired walking even small distances. 

Theres a spa about 3 hours drive from us that we have stayed at before and that might be an option for September which is my birthday month. It’s called Monart if you fancy looking at it. I know that there are some thermal rooms I probably couldn’t use but it’s a great place to chill and they do cater for people recovering from cancer treatment.

I have my clinic appointment tomorrow where they take my bloods etc to check if the chemo can go ahead on Wednesday and I get to speak to the oncologist so I’ll ask them when I can plan a holiday and if my immune system should be improved enough by September.

Funny you should mention Insurancewith. I’d read about it but hadn't got round to looking into it. I’ll keep it in mind for when I do manage to get abroad.

Would be good to hear what your team say, I don’t have another appointment now until early Sept. My stamina also shot to pieces, but it is slowly improving. Have just been out for short walk and not as bad as a week ago. I’ve kept inside whilst it’s been really hot the past few days, and been on exercise bike instead.  I’m so keen to get back to my usual 30 min walk, but know I need to work towards that.

re Insurancewith …..I didn’t get a quote when I completed the online form, but you can ask for them to call you back. I spoke with a really lovely lady, and she asked some further questions and got it all sorted for me. I wanted an annual policy as want to do several holidays once I’m up to it!

and will take a look at Monart…although my local gym/swimming pool is just having a revamp re its spa facilities…can’t wait to get back there as well.

Hi EP17 

I finished chemo on 8th May and came to France in our motorhome on 12th June. I saw my oncologist on Monday 9th June and told her my plan, she had no objections. 

I'm enjoying the sun, wine, food, wine, relaxing and did I mention the wine?  I'm building my step count back up, we did over 12,000 yesterday.

I suppose it's down to how you feel. 

H 

So jealous especially re the wine and it’s reassuring hearing how many steps you are now able to do so soon after finishing your treatment.  I’m looking forward to being able to do the same and being able to escape the house more than I have been.

I finished my chemo and radiotherapy treatment last August and went to France a week later.  I was staying in a villa and decided I could rest just as much in France as I would at home,  I’m currently have immunotherapy and daily chemo tablets but still plan to go to France again this year.  For me two weeks with the grandkids is a real pick me up so unless I’m told “don’t go” I fully intend to 

My plans were for a cruise which has many other people around.  Trips in a caravan or a stay in a quiet hotel are less risky for lowered immune systems.  I just returned from a week in our travel trailer/caravan.  I even got in a few swims in our northern lakes and was able to hike.  

Yes something with fewer people around sounds good. My husband suggested a bit of a road trip so that I don’t have to walk too much but can still sightsee and stop in some small hotels or b&b’s. So we might try that

So I saw the oncologist this morning and he was happy enough for me to plan a holiday. He said I would be most immunosuppressed around 10-14 days after chemo and that he had had many patients who actually went on holiday during treatment though he would not recommend that.
I will be called for a CT scan in about 4-6 weeks so I’ll plan a holiday for after that