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I don't know if I'm reading it correct but my understanding is that MDC1 protein is using tamoxifen as week estrogen. Probably, that's why tamoxifen doesn't allways work in lobular cases.

I recently learnt that for PIK3CA mutation a new drug Inavolisib has been approved. Anyone has more information. I have this mutation, so far I am on Ibrance plus Fulvestrant but just curious about this new drug

Hi everyone :)

I’m on a trip that is half work, half vacation and I want to ask your experience with something.

I want to get a massage but I can see from the spas rules: no cancer patients can be offered services :(

I have bone Mets but I’m currently in remission. Any thoughts on the safety of massages? I get them at home and it helps me feel better emotionally.
Thank you ♥️

I have taken two trips to Italy since diagnosis. The first was almost a year into MBC. I decided to enjoy the money previously put aside for retirement and made it a luxury trip. Upgraded to business class flights to put as much space between me and other people as possible. Lots of hand sanitizer and took a mask in case anyone around me was coughing. Stayed in 3 different places in Italy with first class train travel and private car transfers to get from one to the other. Took omeprazole to handle the acid reflux and enjoyed eating and drinking like normal! Booked restaurants in advance with outdoor seating and avoided indoor crowds.

Trip was so great and I was still on same line of treatment a year later, so I managed to go again. I booked everything refundable and spent a lot on travel insurance that covered pre-existing conditions. Not sure I will make it next year as a treatment change is coming, but will do if I can get stable again.

Hi! I am actually a luxury travel agency owner and travel has been a part of how I make my living for a while now. I have been to Portugal and Italy again since my metastatic recurrence in 2021. My family and I spent about 3 weeks in France last summer and will head back for Thanksgiving break to visit friends this year. I also travel to the Caribbean several times a year, and domestically also, and most importantly, we did Disney last year with my children. I like to travel with my small children to make these core memories, and I can't imagine traveling solo anymore like I used to, so I wag them and my husband around everywhere I go.

One thing I've noticed is that it wears me out like no tomorrow. I've slowed down A LOT the past couple of years. Long hauls don't appeal to me much anymore, but I'm still up for an adventure every now and then.

I think for me, travel is a bit of a different animal given my profession and my past. I do it so much, and have done it so much, it has taught me that the place where I most want to spend time now is right here where I am! I've recently decided to turn ownership of my agency over to my husband, who will be taking over the business starting in January. You can't have a travel advisor who wants to stay at home all the time running the shop! :-)

Practically speaking, I travelled bald for about 2 years when I was on chemo for an inordinate amount of time and never really had any real looks. It actually was quite pleasant in the Caribbean to have no hair. Never been much for wigs. On the plane they are super uncomfortable if you're on one for longer than 7 hours, and then you feel weird taking it off and scaring your neighbor. Ha!

I agree with above comments that spending more on travel may be something to consider. Pay for the nice 5-star hotel with front desk and concierge connections all over the place to get you where you need to be in the event of the unexpected. You'll definitely want to think about upgraded fare class on airlines. Most of my big spotty areas are all over my lumbar spine and it's murder even in premium seating. Business/first allows me to get off the plane and not feel my joints and bones aching for the next 4 days.

Airbnb's would concern me. We lived in France for a while and I am super familiar with the country and fluent in French. Last year, when we were there we stayed in an apartment. I got deathly ill with a virus that rapidly turned into a bacterial infection within 48 hours of landing and luckily we had old friends in the area who recommended a doctor. I can't imagine going through that in a country where I didn't speak the language and was staying in an Airbnb where I might have to track down the owner who might be living in ANOTHER country, who is a complete stranger. I have to have a sure thing.

I had a difficult night with a lot of coughing and a fever this morning. I have pain everywhere, a bad headache and a fever. I took a Dafalgan this afternoon and the temperature is starting to drop. I think I'm having a reaction to Xeloda with medication fever (this already happened to me on Piqray). I don't think my neutros had time to go down in just 3 doses of Xeloda. I am going to stop the treatment and will see my oncologist on Monday. Damn,... it's desperate

hello :D

I just walked the Camino de Santiago. 500 miles pilgrimage across Northern Spain. Slept in hostels sometimes with too many coughing and snoring people. Walked whilst crying sometimes (it was hard and life’s not fair).
Did stop most of my treatment for 2 months to give me a bit of a better chance.
If you want to travel somewhere : JUST DO IT. Waiting is no longer an option for some of us.
^officially a pilgrim now