Cancer Treatments

[jdb7566]

DW and I were planning our first "snow bird" trip this winter. The plan was to travel between her 3 month interval ct scans. Good scan, good to go. Recent scan, not so good and without going into specifics, oncology DR is looking at infusion immune therapy every 3 weeks. He has also indicated, knowing our plans, this could be done during our travels so long as something could be coordinated every 3 weeks. My question, are or have any of you good people on this forum doing or have done something like this. DW is really looking forward to the trip as am I, but I have concerns.
Thank you for your feedback!

[John_Joey]

Tequila wrote:
...snip... Only issue was we had to get her on direct flights, we could not risk her landing anywhere in the US, in case there was a medical issue.

How sad is that. Yet, there are so many here that think we have the greatest medical system in the world. 9 times out of 10 when I ask them if they ever left the country the answer is no.

[Tequila]

My wife recently finished 18 months of chemo. I took the RV down to Mexico and she flew down to meet me. We stuck close to Puerto Vallarta where there are several daily flights back home a day. Every 3 weeks she would get on a plane and fly to Vancouver on a Sunday, get chemo on Monday, & hop back on the plane to Mexico on Tuesday. About $500 a time. She must have done this 8 or 9 times over 2 seasons. It was well worth it and it did wonders for her headspace. Only issue was we had to get her on direct flights, we could not risk her landing anywhere in the US, in case there was a medical issue.

[avan]

jdb7566 wrote:
Thanks for all the great replies. The good news, DW PET scan came back showing no activity at this time, CT scan had looked suspect, so, we're good to go for another three months. Leaving MPLS 12-21 for AL gulf coast for a spell then MS gulf coast, to the RGV and slowly home by mid March. Again, thanks for the replies and encouragement.

:B

[jdb7566]

Thanks for all the great replies. The good news, DW PET scan came back showing no activity at this time, CT scan had looked suspect, so, we're good to go for another three months. Leaving MPLS 12-21 for AL gulf coast for a spell then MS gulf coast, to the RGV and slowly home by mid March. Again, thanks for the replies and encouragement.

[2gypsies1]

It sounds like your doctor is onboard for this and your wife is, also. Go for it! Getting in warmer surroundings and sun will do her good. Work with the doctor on who to contact and what questions to ask. Staying in one place for the winter would be a lot easier than traveling. Best of luck to both of you!! You can do this!

[wowens79]

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America in my town of Newnan, GA (30 miles south of Atlanta) has full hookup sites at the hospital for patients to use.

[BarbaraOK]

MD Anderson, along with Banner Health have a cancer center in Mesa (Banner Gateway) that even has RV parking for about a dozen rigs - usually 8-10 rigs there at any time we've been by. Lots of Cancer centers do that across the country - just a matter of getting it set up between centers & your oncologists ahead of time.

[coolmom42]

There are free-standing infusion centers, plus many hospitals will let you go there. It will require some good communication with your dr but just plan ahead.

[VoodooMedicineM]

We used to stay in Ellinton FL and would go to Moffitt Cancer Center at the University of South Florida for treatments.

It's doable

[donn0128]

About three years ago friend of ours was on kemo and he simply did it at the park. They never let it show him down except on the bad days.

[avan]

It was some time ago, but DW and I full timed with her requiring infusions. It was not difficult to do - just needed a bit of advance planning so we were in the right city at the right time. At the beginning we mostly used hospitals but as time passed, more a more docs operated private infusion centers. Google is your friend and in a pinch, your home doctor may be able to find an appropriate ctr for you.