Dear Fellows:
I have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Stage III last February. After the initial chemotherapy I am feeling very well now.
I have always loved to travel and together with my husband I have seen a lot in mostly all parts of the world.
But now I am afraid just to go 100 miles by train to visit my aunt. I have lost confidence in my body and I am afraid to catch an infection or get problems while on travel.
How do you manage this problem? Are you still travelling for plesure or rather stay at home as I do now?
Any opinion would be helpful to me!
Kind Regards from Berlin/Germany
Elfriede
Forums
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Elfriede - Name: Elfriede
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
I flew across country one month after my stem cell transplant. I just wore a mask on the aircraft or any time i was in a crowd. I had my transplant in march of this year and my dr. gave me the thumbs up as long as i was careful as this was a business trip i needed to attend too. She also gave me a thumbs up to go to Australia this December. Just keep the disposable face masks handy and you should be fine.
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derek
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
Hello Elfriede,
I am so sorry to hear about your fear of traveling. Did your doctor say anything to make you fearful of traveling? Or are your white blood cell counts low and you are afraid for that reason to travel?
Obviously, before you start traveling again, you should discuss the subject with your doctor.
But I think you'll see by reading some of the patient columns here at the Beacon and from the postings here in the forum that many myeloma patients travel regularly, and they travel rather far distances, despite having myeloma.
Like Derek, many myeloma patients wear a mask when they travel in airplanes, and it can be good to keep disinfectant wipes with you, and antibacterial washes, to reduce the germs you come into contact with and carry around with you.
I think, though, that you should be able to travel to see your aunt, and even much further. Just make sure, as I said, to discuss all of this first with your doctor.
Perhaps you can travel to the U.S. sometime and meet some of us myeloma patients here!
Good luck,
Cheryl
I am so sorry to hear about your fear of traveling. Did your doctor say anything to make you fearful of traveling? Or are your white blood cell counts low and you are afraid for that reason to travel?
Obviously, before you start traveling again, you should discuss the subject with your doctor.
But I think you'll see by reading some of the patient columns here at the Beacon and from the postings here in the forum that many myeloma patients travel regularly, and they travel rather far distances, despite having myeloma.
Like Derek, many myeloma patients wear a mask when they travel in airplanes, and it can be good to keep disinfectant wipes with you, and antibacterial washes, to reduce the germs you come into contact with and carry around with you.
I think, though, that you should be able to travel to see your aunt, and even much further. Just make sure, as I said, to discuss all of this first with your doctor.
Perhaps you can travel to the U.S. sometime and meet some of us myeloma patients here!
Good luck,
Cheryl
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
My mother (age 86) completed a year of Alkeran/Prednisone and subsequently travelled with me twice to Florida. We took a wheelchair through the airport to reduce long distance walks. Flight time 2 hours. Vacationed in a hotel with an on-site restaurant and enjoyed the balcony overlooking the ocean. Enjoyed a relaxing stay.
I hope this is helpful.
I hope this is helpful.
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Leona
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
Hi,
I'm part of the multiple myeloma community for the past 4 years. I travel quite often (work), about once a month around the globe w/o any difficulties. Though I'm now in remission, even when I was under treatment (VTD) i used to fly. Only then i took special shots before flying in order to minimize the risk of blood clots beacuse of the Talidomide.
Feel good and enjoy life - keep on doing what you love to do!
Shay
I'm part of the multiple myeloma community for the past 4 years. I travel quite often (work), about once a month around the globe w/o any difficulties. Though I'm now in remission, even when I was under treatment (VTD) i used to fly. Only then i took special shots before flying in order to minimize the risk of blood clots beacuse of the Talidomide.
Feel good and enjoy life - keep on doing what you love to do!
Shay
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
I also think travel is doable. Just be careful about a few things, particularly if you are currently undergoing treatment:
Infections: You may want to plan your travel for summer time when other people travelling near you are generally healthier and less likely to pass their colds onto you. If you're particularly concerned about infections or if your white blood cell counts are low, consider wearing a mask.
Blood clots: Especially if you're on a drug that increases your risk of blood clots (Revlimid and thalidomide are the main culprits, I think) or if you're prone to blood clots, ask your hematologist if you should take any medications before traveling to prevent clots. Definitely get up periodically and walk around to stretch your legs.
Fatigue: Try to plan a trip that won't be too strenuous. Give yourself plenty of time to catch your trains or planes or connections. Arrange for assistance, such as a wheel chair or by bringing a travel companion.
Infections: You may want to plan your travel for summer time when other people travelling near you are generally healthier and less likely to pass their colds onto you. If you're particularly concerned about infections or if your white blood cell counts are low, consider wearing a mask.
Blood clots: Especially if you're on a drug that increases your risk of blood clots (Revlimid and thalidomide are the main culprits, I think) or if you're prone to blood clots, ask your hematologist if you should take any medications before traveling to prevent clots. Definitely get up periodically and walk around to stretch your legs.
Fatigue: Try to plan a trip that won't be too strenuous. Give yourself plenty of time to catch your trains or planes or connections. Arrange for assistance, such as a wheel chair or by bringing a travel companion.
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Cindylou
Re: multiple myeloma and traveling
Dear Derek, Cheryl; Leona, Shay and Cindylou:
Thank you very much for your very kind replies. I very much appreciate your taking the time and write. Your experiences are very helpful to me.
You are completely right, Shay, we all should continue to do what we loved to do.
I have just bought a train ticket and will go to visit my aunt this weekend. It is a first step.
All the best to you!
Kind Regards from rainy Berlin/Germany
Elfriede
Thank you very much for your very kind replies. I very much appreciate your taking the time and write. Your experiences are very helpful to me.
You are completely right, Shay, we all should continue to do what we loved to do.
I have just bought a train ticket and will go to visit my aunt this weekend. It is a first step.
All the best to you!
Kind Regards from rainy Berlin/Germany
Elfriede
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Elfriede - Name: Elfriede
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
I'm very happy you decided to go visit our family!
Have a great trip, and I'll pray everything goes smoothly.
Have a great trip, and I'll pray everything goes smoothly.
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Cindylou
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
That's wonderful, Elfriede. I'm so happy you are going to visit with your aunt.
Please let us know how it goes.
And most of all ... Enjoy the time with your family!
Please let us know how it goes.
And most of all ... Enjoy the time with your family!
Re: multiple myeloma and travelling
Dear all,
I think it is absolutely critical that you not let this disease dominate every aspect of your life. I say travel!
The advice given by others in this string is very helpful. Confer with your oncologist about the appropriate timing. Are you currently on treatment? If so, what kind of treatment? What is the status of your neutrophil count? How immunosuppressive is the therapy you are on? To where are you traveling? Are other side effects of treatment under adequate control, so you can enjoy yourself while you are away? Are the appropriate immunizations up to date? Knowing these things will help with preparation.
If you go on a long car or plane ride, getting up frequently to stretch your legs is a good idea to prevent a deep vein thrombosis, especially for those of you on thalidomide-, lenalidomide- or pomalidomide-based therapy.
Yes, perhaps the planning is more tedious, but well worth it. I have lots of patients who travel extensively, especially to see family and other loved ones. And while you are away, leave the laptop at home. No Myeloma Beacon (sorry guys) or other myeloma-related surfing of the Web!
Enjoy your travels!
Best,
Pete V.
I think it is absolutely critical that you not let this disease dominate every aspect of your life. I say travel!
The advice given by others in this string is very helpful. Confer with your oncologist about the appropriate timing. Are you currently on treatment? If so, what kind of treatment? What is the status of your neutrophil count? How immunosuppressive is the therapy you are on? To where are you traveling? Are other side effects of treatment under adequate control, so you can enjoy yourself while you are away? Are the appropriate immunizations up to date? Knowing these things will help with preparation.
If you go on a long car or plane ride, getting up frequently to stretch your legs is a good idea to prevent a deep vein thrombosis, especially for those of you on thalidomide-, lenalidomide- or pomalidomide-based therapy.
Yes, perhaps the planning is more tedious, but well worth it. I have lots of patients who travel extensively, especially to see family and other loved ones. And while you are away, leave the laptop at home. No Myeloma Beacon (sorry guys) or other myeloma-related surfing of the Web!
Enjoy your travels!
Best,
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
15 posts
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