Aa
Traveling on tx
My husband and I are planning an Alaskan cruise in July with our son and daughter in law. I was wondering how this is going to work? He's starting treatment in Oct. He's 1a. Has anyone traveled like that when on tx? Or should we postpone it? We've been planning this for over a year but with the sx I'm wondering if this is going to be a good idea. This was supposed to be our once in a lifetime trip, dream trip.
Go on the trip. I too was worried while on tx about traveling. I went to Jamacia and Lake Tahoe a few times. Got me up and around and was so worth it. It took awhile to recover from the trip across country, but once there on the beach, in the sun, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, I felt almost healthy again. Go on your trip! I doubt you will regret it.
Thanks for everyones comments. I feel better now at least know what all ya'll think about it. That helps tremendously. We have decided to play it by ear and see how he reacts to the meds. I've talked to my son and he agrees we'll wait and see. We do want to keep things as normal as possible tho. It's weird because looking at him now you wouldn't know anything was even wrong with him. I'm also going tomorrow to be tested just to put our minds at ease. Just need to get that out of the way once and for all.
Going on vacation is sure a lot easer than working 8 to 10 hours a day 7 days a week while on TX . I had a couple of vacation trips thrown in to my 48 weeks of TX ,just took a ice pack to keep the interferon cool. I woulden't let anyone scare me out of some special time with my family as a matter of fact the more you try and live a normal life while on TX the better it will be. It get's harder the more you stop and focus on how crappy you feel.
Honestly I'd think twice about it because you don't know if the treatment is going knock him on his butt or not. Once he starts treatment and gets over the initial hardship of it you might have a better handle on how he will be feeling. Right now all we are all doing is guessing. It's a LOT of money and it might turn out great but...he might be too ill to do anything and that would make him feel so bad he might overdue it.
As you can tell by reading above some can handle it, some cant. There is just no way to know. I know I probably could have physically handled it if i HAD to (like work) I would have been absolutely miserable and just wanting to lay in my bed - but I would try to get up for the sake of my family and not to ruin their good time.............................................but It would have killed me to do so.
It's all just guessing right now.
As you can tell by reading above some can handle it, some cant. There is just no way to know. I know I probably could have physically handled it if i HAD to (like work) I would have been absolutely miserable and just wanting to lay in my bed - but I would try to get up for the sake of my family and not to ruin their good time.............................................but It would have killed me to do so.
It's all just guessing right now.
I enjoyed a few trips while treating and it was no big deal. We visited Venice, Aruba and Cancun plus several long weekend trips by car. I was so worried prior to tx that my life would be on hold for the next 48 weeks. That was not the case - keeping busy saved me from dwelling on treatment. I wouldn't postpone the trip if I were you...Good luck!
I wouldn't suggest you to do it...simply because you would't enjoy it as much as you should...no value for money paid for the trip as treatment in most cases can be hard on you
before i started treatment for my hep c a year ago,i asked this board for advise to a similar situation. The suggestions i got was to enjoy myself first before i started treating,,but then i was a acute case and then i planned to start treatment one month after my holidays
but in your case you would need to wait till next august...which is nearly a year away.
would suggest you try to reschedule the trip and plan it after he completes treatment or go for your trip first and then start yr treatment...but you also need to know his liver condition to make that decision
before i started treatment for my hep c a year ago,i asked this board for advise to a similar situation. The suggestions i got was to enjoy myself first before i started treating,,but then i was a acute case and then i planned to start treatment one month after my holidays
but in your case you would need to wait till next august...which is nearly a year away.
would suggest you try to reschedule the trip and plan it after he completes treatment or go for your trip first and then start yr treatment...but you also need to know his liver condition to make that decision
I'm so glad I got responses on this. Makes me feel better. I was telling my H about your responses and he says "see, I can do this too"! That's why we are such a good team together. He keeps me balanced on things and is never a worrier. So many times I've worried about something for nothing. Just in my nature I guess.
Meki, I'm glad to see you're posting again. You must be feeling better, huh? Hope so. And, I'll stay out from under the bed, lol!!
Meki, I'm glad to see you're posting again. You must be feeling better, huh? Hope so. And, I'll stay out from under the bed, lol!!
My H and I (and H alone) traveled several times while he was on tx. Knowing he was abit tired the day after his shot I planned those as "travel" days when I traveled with him since all you end up doing is sitting in airports or driving in cars. The ski trip he took without me, I don't think he even thought about the day since he was traveling with friends. Some posters on this forum from all accounts have terrible sides, so I would say,"depends on the individual". I would say in general that if you are somewhat obsessed with your treatment that in my opinion a vacation is probably good to get your mind off the daily reminder of shots and pills. Also if you're just "getting going" on treatment you'll know what the sides will be by December. With my H it reminded me of pregnancy, alittle bit of sides in the beginning months, nothing in the middle months and increased energy and then some sides toward the end of the original 48 weeks.
hither --- worst thing you can do is believe that life should be hidden now.
It will take about a year --- and then --- well - after that year --- a little recoup time....
But you'll see ---- that while it does change you inside --- it is only to be a stronger person.
Don't hide - don't crawl under the bed...
Just take it ONE DAY at a time.
You'll be fine.
It does suck for that year and a half though... Truly does... But keep looking for tomorrow. Because that is so important.
Meki
It will take about a year --- and then --- well - after that year --- a little recoup time....
But you'll see ---- that while it does change you inside --- it is only to be a stronger person.
Don't hide - don't crawl under the bed...
Just take it ONE DAY at a time.
You'll be fine.
It does suck for that year and a half though... Truly does... But keep looking for tomorrow. Because that is so important.
Meki
There should be a doctor on board the boat.
You should:
* Tell your current GP or Hepatologist that you are planning this vacation...
* Tell the Cruise lines - so that their doctor can be informed as well - so they can have a stock of "emergency" drugs on board.
* Get extra copies of prescriptions - and ANY RESCUE MEDS (eg. pain medications, nausea assistance, depression meds (I prefer fast acting over long term - Xanax and/or Lorazepam), Vitamin B12 shots - or whatever regimen you are using.
* Make sure there is a refrigerator in your room to store meds
* Make sure that you have ALL of your medication supplies CLEARLY MARKED - and that you have a written prescription for them that you keep on the side (serves 2 purposes -- one you can prove the meds are yours --- and 2 just in case you need to fill them if you should lose them)
* Make sure you have access to bottled water --- at least a gallon a day. Advise the Cruise Lines ahead of time.
Other than that - make sure you have a lot of coffee on hand.
He should be just fine.
Even if he can only toddle out to the deck and look from the deck chair --- as long as he can go lay down when he needs to --- or sleep the entire time, if necessary --- you should be fine.
I'll be honest --- some days on TX I could do it... Others I couldn't.
BUT --- Just being there --- with family --- breathing the air --- seeing the scenery even from a porthole --- would have been superb.
I'm telling you --- you won't know until you get there... Some will be able to do it --- others won't.
So --- if I were you ---- I'd buy traveller's insurance or buy tickets that will allow you to change the dates, if necessary.
Good luck.
Meki
You should:
* Tell your current GP or Hepatologist that you are planning this vacation...
* Tell the Cruise lines - so that their doctor can be informed as well - so they can have a stock of "emergency" drugs on board.
* Get extra copies of prescriptions - and ANY RESCUE MEDS (eg. pain medications, nausea assistance, depression meds (I prefer fast acting over long term - Xanax and/or Lorazepam), Vitamin B12 shots - or whatever regimen you are using.
* Make sure there is a refrigerator in your room to store meds
* Make sure that you have ALL of your medication supplies CLEARLY MARKED - and that you have a written prescription for them that you keep on the side (serves 2 purposes -- one you can prove the meds are yours --- and 2 just in case you need to fill them if you should lose them)
* Make sure you have access to bottled water --- at least a gallon a day. Advise the Cruise Lines ahead of time.
Other than that - make sure you have a lot of coffee on hand.
He should be just fine.
Even if he can only toddle out to the deck and look from the deck chair --- as long as he can go lay down when he needs to --- or sleep the entire time, if necessary --- you should be fine.
I'll be honest --- some days on TX I could do it... Others I couldn't.
BUT --- Just being there --- with family --- breathing the air --- seeing the scenery even from a porthole --- would have been superb.
I'm telling you --- you won't know until you get there... Some will be able to do it --- others won't.
So --- if I were you ---- I'd buy traveller's insurance or buy tickets that will allow you to change the dates, if necessary.
Good luck.
Meki
"he says he's fine and there's nothing to worry about yet" and he is exactly right...Again, you just have to kind of play everything by ear, and deal with any issues as(if) they arise...I have found that the least amount of stress/ pressure/decisons etc. I have to deal with the better off I am... being riba fogged and trying to fly out of Logan was an adventure in itself..........;^)
I traveled when I was 9 weeks into treatment. I went to a family reunion in another state. I almost wish Ididn't go. The fatigue got to me and I did have to go back to the hotel and take naps.
Mouse
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 49 wks of tx on 4/13/07
Hoping for SVR on 9/20/07
(4+ days and counting!)
Mouse
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 49 wks of tx on 4/13/07
Hoping for SVR on 9/20/07
(4+ days and counting!)
Thank you so much for the responses. If we went in July he would more than likely be on his 40th week or thereabout. We will play it by ear. When we do make the reservations I'll check into all of the issues regarding cancellations, etc. It's good to know that some of you are still able to maintain somewhat normal lives on tx. I have to remember that our lives aren't over just because he'll be on tx. Sometimes I feel like it's the end of our lives. I guess that's normal, right? Like we have to curl up and crawl under the bed. I'm still dealing with all the emotions of this. My husband is still just doing his thing. I've talked to him about it but he says he's fine and there's nothing to worry about yet. You all are blessings for everyone. I'm so glad I have people like ya'll to turn too. Thank you so much!!
If I was you, I'd play it by ear...I'm in a similar situation, with reservations in March, a week or so after finishing my 72 weeks...To be honest, at this point in my treatment I don't think I could handle the cruise, probably not even the flight to FL....but one size does not fit all....I checked and my reservations can be cancelled 60 days ahead of departure (in writing) with no penalty...so I'll play it by ear with the cancellation deadline in mind. Keep in mind I'm in week 47 and on high dose riba.
6 months into TX I would have been able to handle the trip, in fact took a short trip in March..Some here travel quite a bit for business etc...
Pro
6 months into TX I would have been able to handle the trip, in fact took a short trip in March..Some here travel quite a bit for business etc...
Pro
I recently spent a month in Maine while on TX. It was the best thing I could have done. It is hard to feel badly when looking at such magnificent scenery.
Go for it!
Go for it!
Thanks for your response Mom. We are so looking forward to this trip. Our son is coming home from Iraq this week and that was one of the things we said we'd do when he came home. Something for all of us to look forward too. My husband will be taking the 3 pills in the morning and 3 at night and a shot a week. I had the name of them but my mind it gone today. We'll be going on the 27th for our little class on what to do and what'll happen kind of thing. I know it will depend on how he reacts to the tx. I guess we will take a wait and see approach. We have to get the tickets in Dec. I think so maybe we'll know more by then.
Hither
Hither
I just returned from a 2 week trip to Alaska including a 7 day cruise. I am on treatment now but only on PEG-INTRON. The trip went well, I just was more tired than the rest of the family and spent more time resting. We did some short hikes and even a short sea kayaking side trip. If you hubby is not feeling his best, a cruise may be the best vacation you could take - just sit on the deck or inside somewhere and watch glaciers and whales and eagles go by!
I took vacations before when on IFN or PEG-IFN and ribavirin (and a few years younger). It was harder on me than those trips when not on treatment. But treatment is different for each, and it's impossible to predict how your husband will feel. You may just want to wait until he starts treatment and see how he does. If it was me, I wouldn't make the decision whether or not to postpone just yet.
Mom
I took vacations before when on IFN or PEG-IFN and ribavirin (and a few years younger). It was harder on me than those trips when not on treatment. But treatment is different for each, and it's impossible to predict how your husband will feel. You may just want to wait until he starts treatment and see how he does. If it was me, I wouldn't make the decision whether or not to postpone just yet.
Mom
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