Hi, Splenda,
Socks & I took a number of cruises -2 to the Caribbean- sandwiched
between his chemo rounds, etc & had no problems. The ships all had
doctors/nurses. He visited one once for a minor problem. We went to
an on-shore medical facility for some scheduled bloodwork once with no
problems at all. The ship's staff arranged transportation & the ship's
driver stayed with us while the bloodwork was done. The bloodwork was
so inexpensive I think we just paid for it, although insurance would
have reimbursed. Our travel insurance would pay also for treatment &
evacuation if necessary, including pre-existing conditions (read policy
carefully; ours had to be purchased within a week or so of booking the
cruise for pre-existing to qualify).
On one of the Caribbean cruises, we saw to our surprise when we
awakened one morning that we were not at sea but docked at an island we
had previously visited that was not ont he day's itenerary. A
passenger had become ill & a heart problem was suspected. The ship
made a special stop to ensure he got the best care (& it was reported
later he was OK).
Once we explained Socks' situation, the cabin stewards were OK with
Socks' napping non-schedule (at first they were concerned & didn't know
when to make up our cabin). We told them not to bother making the bed
every time he napped, but they did anyway!
Enjoy a wonderful time away & don't worry. You'll FEEL far away but be
really close to medical attention if needed. And he can do whatever
he feels like &/or just enjoy the views from the deck. Cruises were
the easiest vacations we took.
btw, we got some walkie talkies which helped. That way, I could be
almost anywhere on the ship & Socks could find me & I didn't have to
call the cabin (risk waking him up) or go back there to find a note
from him.
Enjoy a great trip!
Fig
On Nov 2, 5:35 pm, J <erc...@anon.inv> wrote:
> Splenda wrote:
> > My DH finished chemo 11 days ago. The port-a-cath was removed.
> > For the past 8 days he has had intermittent swollen lips and itchy hands and
> > arms.
> > Benadryl helps, or it just goes away for a while. Not sure which. His lips
> > haven't swollen in 4 days.
> > We have planned a Caribbean cruise to begin this weekend but I am worried
> > about being away from close medical facilities.
> > He wants to go... taking several bottles of Benadryl.
> > Any comments or suggestions?Hello Splenda,
> I don't know the answer and I don't recall anyone mentioning those allergy
> symptoms here.
> But then each person has different mixes of chemos and we don't hear from
> everyone.
>
> So I'm thinking that the further out (from the last chemo), the more the problem
> should resolve, on the other hand maybe he's allergic to something else? Or,
> once flared, develops allergies?
> cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets a protein.
>
> I hope I'm not too late (and/or over-thinking) but maybe it's best to take an
> epipen and beware of proteins such peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish,
> shellfish, wheat, and soy. (list found on the internet, unknown if accurate).
>
> You're the travellers. (I expect you know more than I)
> I think one must expect to pay cash (in the event of a healthcare need) and
> obtain reimbursement from travel insurance upon return?
> Perhaps the trip will be uneventful (as to healthcare needs); I hope so and hope
> it will be enjoyable.
> When will you be back. I'll watch for your return and hope all goes well.
> J 
Chemo -Allergy Question 
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