Traveling with MBC - Inspire others with your vacation experiences and tips!
Hi everyone!
We have a new content highlight on Traveling With Breast Cancer, and would love you to share your tips, experiences, memories, and advice for those with metastatic breast cancer who are considering traveling, but might not feel well enough, think they don't have the energy, are concerned about risks of travel, and other aspects that might hold them back from exploring the world.
Where have you been? What would you do again? What were the best/worst parts? What are some challenges you faced while traveling with MBC and how did you overcome them? Where would you like to go in the future? What are your best pieces of advice for those considering planning a trip — near or far, daytrips or extended stays, rugged or relaxing?
Let's hear those inspirational stories!
Comments
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I've traveled several times since dx in Nov. 23. Went to Denver, road trips out of state, and London for a week in April this year.
Frankly, I didn't do anything different than I had pre-dx. My itineraries are usually low key anyway, so I didn't try to cram a bunch of sightseeing in; instead, my husband and I listed 5-7 things we really wanted to see, depending on time, and then understood we could let a couple of them not so high on our list, at least, go. We find it makes for a better, richer traveling experience not to rush through a bunch of sightseeing anyway. We took naps but mostly due to jet lag.
Our agreement was, since my husband is also being tx for cancer, was to walk when we felt like it, take a cab when we felt like it, and nap when needed. We alternated early morning with a later departure to sights at times. We didn't need to do much of any of that, but gave ourselves permission to do so if needed.
Claire in AZ
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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.
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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.
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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 now2 -
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 ♥️1 -
Hi. I have a few notes from a very recent 4 day journey, concerning bandaging needs while travelling.
I have Stage IV cancer of the right breast. I change bandages twice a day and sometimes blood is briefly involved, as most patients in this stage understand. Thinking of my daily hygienic needs, and then needing to sleep in hotel beds, almost made me cancel the journey. But, I didn't.
A tip: Sleeping on top of bed pad sheets (24" x 36" +/-) used for incontinence, also known as maternity pads, can make you rest more easily and not worry about an embarassing need for fresh hotel linens. The pads can also be cut and used as an emergency bandage, easily folded and waiting in your purse for quick access.
Bon voyage!
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Hi everyone,
I have MBC and I'm currently in remission since October. I had two work trips this month and I added a couple of fun days before and after each trip. I think I over did it to be honest because counting the travel days, it was a full month! I think I added rest days so I don't feel I'm running, and to also feel a little bit 'normal'.
I had friends with me almost all the time during my 4 cities trip. I got food poisoning in one of the cities and a friend took care of me, and my pharmacist-oncologist was responsive and told me which medications to avoid because they go against Kisqali. I also had blood tests to do during my trip for the next cycle of Kisqali but I wasn't comfortable doing them in a strange country where I don't speak the local language..my oncologist agreed that I postpone for a week so I would do them at home. When I came back home, the next day I got a flu and now I'm recovering slowly.
Now that the trip is over, I'm glad I did it because I feel so much better emotionally, less afraid of the world as MBC patient, and confident that if things happen (like food poisoning) I can deal with it…I feel less scared. I had all my medications and I had near by friends at all times + my medical team is very responsive, which I think all contributed in making things okay. However I feel I wouldn't go longer than 2 weeks in a raw (inclusive of travel days) away from home, because I also missed my own place and my husband so much.
Much love to you all <3
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We really love and appreciate this thread! Thank you for all your shares. We are sorry @radiation_cinderella though for them not giving you the massage back in November. Sending love to you all!
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I went to Thailand in November for two weeks. I was low on stamina and had to sit and rest a lot but enjoyed myself immensely. I saw lots of temples, fed elephants, shopped a bit and participated in a festival. I’m happy I went.
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Hi All, I am MBC de novo ER+ HER2- with none Mets diagnosed 15 months ago. I have been taking as many vacations as I can. Trips to the Grand Canyon, Mexico, London and Florida. I schedule rest days at the start and end of each trip. Medication times in different time zones can be tricky (Kisqali/Letrozole) but with a little planning make it work. There is something about traveling that lifts my spirits and keeps me from dwelling on my illness. Making memories with my husband, children, grandchildren and friends is something I cherish. Thanks for the shares and vacation ideas!
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@dah925 Off to Rome at the end of the month! I have always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and that is on my bucket list for sure. Thanks for the tip about medication. I hadn't thought of that.
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@tougholdcrow Enjoy Rome!!! I went to Rome years ago and it was amazing. A tip for when you plan your Grand Canyon trip: We splurged when we went to the Grand Canyon and took a helicopter ride into the canyon - it was worth every penny.
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