Travel after radiotherapy?

[greenpete]

Fiona, you certainly are getting around[sporty].Good luck with the reconstruction. Although I only had a lumpectomy, the surgeon still took a lot out and now I am extremely lop-sided[:I] It is very sad to hear of hospitals not being up to a good standard. I had two ops at the Dunedin, Reading (BUPA) last year and both times developed an infection immediately afterwards.Antibiotics did'nt help much and I had to have an opening to allow the infection out. This second time is taking much longer to heal because the radiotherapy has damaged my skin cells, so I have a district nurse changing my dressing regularly. But I count my blessings, it could have been worse.

Enjoy your trip

Anna

[greenpete]

Angela, I must admit I haven't thought about life assurance. Hardly seems worth taking out now![laugh]

Anna

[Newhomebuyer]

Okay, I took time to ask around at Christies today and noticed that the current edition of Cancerbacup news has an article on Travelling with cancer.
It recommends www.MediTravelcover.com who will insure people who are still receiving chemo, as long as their consultant says they can travel.
I was warned that going to Florida (anywhere in North America ) would be a higher premium than other places but that they assess everyone individually not use a computer generated quote. This way you know you have exactly the cover you need.

I got a list of other insurance companies who specialise in travel insurance for people living with cancer so if any of you want more info let me know and I will DM.
I agree with you Anna, I too may have blown it on the life assurance front. [msneek] I will be happy if I get my travel insurance.
I feel this thread needs a group hug [grouphug] or two[grouphug]

[E. Cosgrove]

You are all very brave ladies for whom I have the greatest admiration.
Heres a group hug from me[grouphug][grouphug][grouphug]

[greenpete]

I enjoyed that hug[msnwink]Really cheered me up. Thank you

Anna

[caroline]

I thought this might be of interest, it's a copy of a press release from Cancer Research UK

Press Release - Diving treatment offers new hope for cancer patients

Release date: 14 March 2005

Decompression chambers, used to treat deep-sea divers with the bends, may hold the key to relieving painful side effects of breast cancer treatment.

Breathing pure oxygen in a decompression chamber could help women who have been left with lymphoedema – a painful and irreversible condition characterised by a severely swollen arm following radiotherapy.

Scientists funded by Cancer Research UK are now launching a trial to test this new treatment after a pilot study, led by the Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, found it could reduce swelling permanently in many cases.

The treatment, called hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), will be available in Hull, Plymouth, Gosport and Leytonstone.

Leading the trial is Professor Yarnold, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Institute of Cancer Research and Consultant at the Royal Marsden.

Prof Yarnold says: "Radiotherapy following breast cancer surgery can damage the lymphatic system, meaning that fluid fails to drain properly and builds up in the arm causing swelling.

"Some women might have slight swelling that doesn't cause much of a problem. Others can suffer serious swelling, pain and discomfort. We hope to show that HBO treatment can succeed in reducing this swelling."

Two thirds of volunteers recruited to the trial will receive 90 minutes of HBO therapy, five days a week for six weeks. They will wear a large transparent dome over the head that supplies pure oxygen through tubes. They can read or talk normally at all times. The remaining third of volunteers will receive standard care for lymphoedema including bandaging, exercise and massage.

Barbara Pearce, age 62 from London, took part in the pilot study and says it changed her life.

"I had breast cancer 25 years ago and had surgery and radiotherapy. I felt so angry when later I developed lymphoedema – one arm weighed a stone more than the other one. It was both distressing and disabling.

"The hyperbaric oxygen therapy was a life-changing experience. My 'swollen' arm is now about a third the size it was, I can wear fitted jackets and sleeveless dresses for the first time in 20 years. It has raised my self-esteem and I have entered my 60s feeling more confident than I have felt for a long time. The treatment took nearly two hours a day for six weeks but it was worth every minute. I could chat and read and didn't feel at all claustrophobic."

Professor Robert Souhami, Director of Policy and Communication at Cancer Research UK, which is funding the study says, "Current therapies for lymphoedema aim to control the symptoms rather than treating the cause. There are encouraging signs that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be an effective treatment and this trial will provide stronger evidence."

Women wishing to check if they are eligible for the study should contact Mrs Lone Gothard, Research Coordinator on 020 8661 3460 or visit the cancer trials database on Cancer Research UK's patient information website at www.cancerhelp.org.uk.

ENDS

[amy]

On the topic of holiday insurance, a patient of mine was asking about going to florida this summer as treatment completes, the wife and kids got insurance however the travel agent directed him elswhere, he got a quote for £1500, the holiday was not much more.
As fiona says Positive mental attitude goes along way, not just for the patient and families but for us nurses and doctors out there.
Keep smiling! and a hug![msnsmile2][grouphug]

[blott]

We used to have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the hospital where I worked in London as someone was doing research on its effects in pregnancy. This was about er, 30 years ago (crumbs, was it really that long ago?) and, as far as I know, the chamber disappeared after the research was completed.

So, if they've found another use for this type of thing, that's great. Let's hope that everyone with problems gets to have this treatment if it really helps and not that one part of the country can have it but the rest can't as per the so-called 'post code lottery' that currently exists (political statement over!).

[Susan J]

I also read somewhere about airborne.com tablets, an effervescent vitamin to help immunity inflight [ for general use, not just cancer patients ] Maybe ask your Docs about those, as it must be the lack of immunity that is also a worry - well done ladies - I know you have no choice but to be brave, but great attitude!![grouphug][grouphug]