Stage 4 Travel? Once in a lifetime opportunity...
 

Hello friends - I'm asking some advice about travelling internationally now that I am Stage 4.

I really want to travel to Canada (from Australia) in July but now that I am Stage 4 my Oncologist said flat out no! End of conversation - he said the insurance is too difficult to get. I haven't checked that out but I presume it costs thousands of dollars which we dont have.

We have some travel points from when we got the loan on our house - but it would probably cost us an extra $5000 to get to Canada anyway.

The reason I want to go is a bit complicated but I'll try and summarise. I am coming up to 20 years sober in June - recently we had a National Indigenous Convention which is part of my life's work and I was able to organise for 2 people from Canada to come to our Convention. Then I wasnt able to go or meet up with our visitors because I was suddenly in hospital with a broken hip due to new mets to my bone.

Anyways they have invited me to their convention to be a guest speaker - I have wanted to visit since when I first got sober - now I have a chance and a reason to go - but my Onc is saying no http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon9.gif So if I did go it would be without insurance.

If anything happened (like I broke another bone and ended up in hospital) it could be a disaster - Canada doesnt have the same reciprocal health/travel arrangements that say England does with Australia. And that could mean I would leave a burden of maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars for my family to pay. I would hate to do that to my bubbas http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon9.gif when we still have another 5-7 years to pay off our mortgage. The main thing on my mind is making sure they still have a roof over their heads - even if I'm not around.

I so much want to go - it's like unfinished business - its a Spiritual connection - but I dont want to do anything to hurt my bubbas either. Any advice or sugestions would be most welcome. I'm seeing my Onc again on Wednesday and will discuss with him one more time.

Thanks so much for being here friends.
Blessings always
Hermiracles

Perhaps you can send them a videotape of yourself. I seem to have seen that sort of thing in some conventions (like Oscar?)

Hi

Hermiracles

Could they organise a video link so you could both participate and speak ?

A quality video camera is not so much these days.

Have you looked at the Greek diet thread and DHA. "Got sober" you said in your post, I was not sure what you meant, but ensuring adequate long chain fat intake is very important for those with liver function issues etc.

An idea
 

I would contact the Canadian Consulate. I can't believe that they could not provide a reasonable travel insurance for you. Even if you broke a bone, you could still travel. I am stage 4 and travel through Canada all the time. I live in Massachusetts and it is faster for me to drive through Canada to see my family in Michigan than to take the lower route.
I hope you can work something out.
Barbara H.

I don't have a clue about how to make it work, but I'm gonna pray like crazy that a miracle happens for you. WOW! So many sober years....you deserve that trip! I don't know how, but I'm praying for ya!!!!! ma

I can't help with the travel insurance question but thought I saw some English people treated for free in Michael Moore's film "sicko"??? Maybe I got it wrong but I thought they'd treat anyone there that falls ill regardless of nationality? I know here in Ireland they do. I really hope you get to go..you deserve it and congrats anyway!

These link should have some very helpful info for you!

http://www.bcna.org.au/content/view/643/1296/
http://www.bcna.org.au/content/view/645/1297/

And you might find these helpful, too!

http://www.australiatravelinsurance....eproviders.htm

http://www.bcna.org.au/content/view/641/1/

"That could be a very grueling trip even in the best of health", says my husband the airline pilot!
I, too, thought of sending a tape of your presentation. Or even arranging a live hookup. That way you could share your message without compromising your health or finances
I share your joy in sobriety. I celebrate 23 years this month. I know when we are tested like this the Serenity Prayer comes in handy!
Keep the faith, Bonnie

Maybe I am totally unreasonable, but I say GO if you can find a way. You deserve to have your dream of going come true. I hope that it can happen.

Congrats on your 20th anniversary!



TRS

I say GO as well... climb every mountain, follow every dream! It sounds as though your cancer is currently stable, (or is it in remission?) - how do you feel? If you are feeling pretty healthy and pretty good... then I would do it.

I am Canadian.

I think that if you were prepared to pay for setting a bone break, it wouldn't be too bad in terms of cost. Canadians have socialized medicine here.

There are other risks of course - like car accidents etc.

My Mom travels to Australia all the time with no insurance because she does have very extensive medical problems - but because we have many relatives there she wants to visit.

When she gets sick, (which she does) we have to pay the hospital.

Why don't you find out how much it would cost to spend say a week in the hospital to stablize you from an imaginary accident PLUS the cost to set a limb? Other scenarios such as being in a car accident are much less likely.

You also might have some insurance if you have a gold visa credit card and buy the ticket with it.

If you are stable, I think that you should take the chance.

Merridith

PS: It costs about $1500 tax incl round trip to fly Sydney to Vancouver. I travel this route quite often.

Ithink if your dream is to go Canada GO ....( I know is only one of your dream....
The main thing on my mind is making sure they still have a roof over their heads -
I think only 5 or 7 years left is not that much ...( I have 23 years left and that is a lot )
and this quote ("even if I'm not around." ) I'm just dont like to read that ...Hermiracles you be around for sure ...we be around ...yours BUBBAS need you to be around ....I always told my husband that I need to be around because My son Max need to have his advocate and defender around ..to take him out of troubles ....
just find the way to came to Canada ...AMERICA ....

I saw Michael Moore's Sicko too. The info on Canada was massaged for movie drama.

The people being treated were being treated using questionably acquired Canadian medical cards.....unless you have "connections" you aren't going to be able to duplicate this.

I Say Go For It
 

Hermiracles ..

I certainly am not qualified to say go or not but I see it this way..

You are stage 4 but how do you feel. Are you strong enough to make the long trip. Are you at great risk for infections while traveling.

I am stage 4 and two years ago we planned a trip to Italy for a month. The trip of my dreams. At the same time I had progression and had just started on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial. Not knowing how I would react to this combo and being in a country I knew nothing about as far as hospitals, we still decided to go for it. My trial co-ordinator was so worried about me. She later told me that she was amazed that "you grabbed your drugs and took off" ....haha

I was not feeling the greatest when we left but once we arrived and I saw that beautiful countryside - I felt great. Of course I was very careful while there. We had a wonderful time and I will always have those memories.

I certainly would not want to steer you the wrong way not really knowing your situation - but check out your medical options in case something were to happen while traveling and if you decide to take the trip - have the time of your life...after all, isn't that what this fight is all about...to live..

If it turns out that you can not make the trip...maybe you can turn to one of the other options the ladies suggested and still be there in your heart.

Good luck Hermiracles..let us know what you decide.

Thanks friends!
 

For all your great feedback, info and support!
I had a chat with my hubby today - I said "I still want to go to Canada" He said "Yes"! He doesn't seem particularly concerned about the lack of insurance!?

The thing is I feel reasonably well in myself - just the usual side-effects of chemo - mainly exhaustion and some nausea. It's just with the Onc saying no - as I will be half way through my Herceptin treatment - so would have to go for 7 days between 3wkly treatments - hopefully I wont be on any actual chemo at that time.

I will check out all of the things you have suggested. You folks are so great. I appreciate very much each and every response.

And Lily - of course we will be around! You are so right! http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon10.gif Sorry I get a bit pessimistic sometimes! Our little people need us to be here as their advocates and good role models! True eh Sis? I believe all the folks here are blazing a trail of wellness and recovery!

So grateful you all are here. I'll let yous know how I go with the Onc on Wednesday.
Blessings all
Hermiracles

I am doing the Irene method - grab my drugs and go! I am headed to France for 7 days in April and the Italian Riviera for 10 days in June, and maybe Okinawa for 7-10 days in August (to transport my niece's cats to her after her Air Force Squadron is re-assigned there), then Germany for 10 days before Christmas. For various reasons, most of the trips are at very low or no cost to me and they are wonderful opportunities, so I plan to do everthing in my power to feel great for every trip, 'cause I ain't planning to cancel!!

I know you will feel good for your trip to Canada and will have a wonderful time!

Wow! That sounds SO fantastic Brenda - how exciting!
Hope you dont mind me asking but do you have health/travel insurance?
My Onc says I cant really say I'm in remission or NED because the last bone scan I had showed signs of mets in sternum/rib??
Anyways I'm packing my bag for Canada! http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon12.gif LOL! http://her2support.org/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon10.gif
Blessings & have fun!
Hermiracles

Good for you!

In Canada they don't treat for free everyone who shows up. Geez can you imagine the flood of people from the US? Could you get travel insurance with a big deductible to reduce the price?

If you don't mind my asking, where in Canada are you going? Last summer I joined a friend and her Australian cousin in Niagra Falls. The woman from Australia had always wanted to see Niagra Falls - it was such fun to see it with her.

In the US, my medicare supplement includes a travel insurance supplement. However, I have yet to read the fine print... just to be sure. I have yet to have any medical problems or serious side effects from my treatments, and at least for the rest of this year, I don't intend to!

Hermiracles,
I am coming late on this thread, but I just wanted to say that I believe that Brenda and Irene are wonderful role models to follow. They are truly setting the example of what this site is all about.

Strong women who refuse stop living their lives. Bravo to both,
they maintain their sense of humor and drive to live every day
their way.

I hope all goes well for you and you have a wonderful tirp if that is what you desire to do.

Hugs,
Jean