CancerCompass message board discussion started by LauraJo on 1/15/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,19759,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My husband has MM and we had planned a European River Boat trip before he was Dx with MM.  We are quite  concerned about traveling in an air plane for so long as we live in California and would be flying to Amsterdam.  How many MM patients have traveled abroad when your WBC were very low (between 1.6 and 3.1) ?  We would be traveling in the Spring.  Also, what precautions did you take besides, washing hands often, use of hand sanitizer, and avoid people with coughs.  We need  to pay our final payment at the end of the month and would like to hear your experiences with travel and MM.  Thanks Laura LauraJo Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT My wife was diagnosed 1 year ago with MM and she has not taken in any long trips yet, but I think the big concern would be the enclosed space of a plane for the 8+ hrs getting to Amsterdam. Wearing a mask over the mouth and nose might be something else to consider while on the plane because of breathing recycled air.Regards,Craig  photog Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT thanks for the imput. Lqaura LauraJo Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Laura I traveled out of necessity when I was very ill with MM but only 1hr 20 Minutes.  Only if your husband is stable should you go.  Take out travel insurance, a must, . I would worry severly about infection.  Yes a mask but 8 hours and delays hmmm, can be a problem.  does he have any spinal or back involvement. If you can afford it go Business class. I take special foam pillows (3) as I cannot sit in a regular seat without severe back pain over and hour.Try to boost his immune system; Tips No sugar, epicor 3 caps a day, research it, light meals, green tea, If he is on treatment cut it out 3 weeks before leaving so his white count is up. Add Airborne every 4 hours. 1 hour before take off and once in the air and once on arrival.Wipe down the seat, tray table and window.  When in the bathroom take wipes and use on seat, handles and sink.Be very sure he is up to it before you leave.  All the best.  MMSOn 1/15/2008 LauraJo wrote:My husband has MM and we had planned a European River Boat trip before he was Dx with MM.  We are quite  concerned about traveling in an air plane for so long as we live in California and would be flying to Amsterdam.  How many MM patients have traveled abroad when your WBC were very low (between 1.6 and 3.1) ?  We would be traveling in the Spring.  Also, what precautions did you take besides, washing hands often, use of hand sanitizer, and avoid people with coughs.  We need  to pay our final payment at the end of the month and would like to hear your experiences with travel and MM.  Thanks Laura  mmsurvivor Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Laura ~~ making plans and doing them --NOW! This is what life is all about for those of us with MM!  Take on board all the advice about avoiding getting tired on the trip, maintaining as sterile an environment as possible, and trying not to do more than he can cope with each day.  As a patient we try to please you the carer by not telling you just how tired we are or how much pain we are feeling, we want you to have the best holiday ever, and of course you are doing it for us!  Its a bit confusing, but make sure that he gets plenty of rest before you begin -- try to take on board as much of the planning/packing/etc. as you can so that he doesn't waste his energy or get overtired before you start. With regard to the plane, perhaps you can break the journey with an overnight stay on the east coast before going across the Atlantic.  When you arrive, try to schedule a 'catch up' day before boarding the boat.  Plan your trip in a way that he can get extra rest while on the voyage, and find people to carry your bags and do 'little' jobs so that he doesn't have to do them. What you pay for this service will come back many times over as he saves his strength for enjoying the highlights of the journey. Have a wonderful trip -- make memories which will last a lifetime!!! Best wishes, Cath poppy/cath Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/17/2008 poppy/cath wrote:Hi Laura ~~ making plans and doing them --NOW! This is what life is all about for those of us with MM!  Take on board all the advice about avoiding getting tired on the trip, maintaining as sterile an environment as possible, and trying not to do more than he can cope with each day.  As a patient we try to please you the carer by not telling you just how tired we are or how much pain we are feeling, we want you to have the best holiday ever, and of course you are doing it for us!  Its a bit confusing, but make sure that he gets plenty of rest before you begin -- try to take on board as much of the planning/packing/etc. as you can so that he doesn't waste his energy or get overtired before you start. With regard to the plane, perhaps you can break the journey with an overnight stay on the east coast before going across the Atlantic.  When you arrive, try to schedule a 'catch up' day before boarding the boat.  Plan your trip in a way that he can get extra rest while on the voyage, and find people to carry your bags and do 'little' jobs so that he doesn't have to do them. What you pay for this service will come back many times over as he saves his strength for enjoying the highlights of the journey. Have a wonderful trip -- make memories which will last a lifetime!!! Best wishes, CathThanks so much for the advice.  you brought up alot of stuff I had not thought about.  My husband is the one who would want to do everything he possibly could.   I sm motr udrf yo psvinh mydrlg.  anyway, i am sure we will both benefit from your advice.  Thanks again and best wishes.  Laura LauraJo Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/16/2008 mmsurvivor wrote:Laura I traveled out of necessity when I was very ill with MM but only 1hr 20 Minutes.  Only if your husband is stable should you go.  Take out travel insurance, a must, . I would worry severly about infection.  Yes a mask but 8 hours and delays hmmm, can be a problem.  does he have any spinal or back involvement. If you can afford it go Business class. I take special foam pillows (3) as I cannot sit in a regular seat without severe back pain over and hour.Try to boost his immune system; Tips No sugar, epicor 3 caps a day, research it, light meals, green tea, If he is on treatment cut it out 3 weeks before leaving so his white count is up. Add Airborne every 4 hours. 1 hour before take off and once in the air and once on arrival.Wipe down the seat, tray table and window.  When in the bathroom take wipes and use on seat, handles and sink.Be very sure he is up to it before you leave.  All the best.  MMSOn 1/15/2008 LauraJo wrote:My husband has MM and we had planned a European River Boat trip before he was Dx with MM.  We are quite  concerned about traveling in an air plane for so long as we live in California and would be flying to Amsterdam.  How many MM patients have traveled abroad when your WBC were very low (between 1.6 and 3.1) ?  We would be traveling in the Spring.  Also, what precautions did you take besides, washing hands often, use of hand sanitizer, and avoid people with coughs.  We need  to pay our final payment at the end of the month and would like to hear your experiences with travel and MM.  Thanks LauraThanks for the suggestions.  As we are new to this, we appreciate the guidance.  Best Wishes LauraJo  LauraJo Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Laura,I agree with all the recommendations. Cath's point of breaking the journey with an overnight stay on the east coast before going across the Atlantic is a very good idea.  My mom's main concern when we came to California from Texas was her legs being swollen and, since pressurized cabins cause some people to get swollen, I was a bit concerned, too.  Fortunately, a coast to coast trip is usually broken in two legs each way, with each leg lasting about 3 or 4 hours. This provided a good break for her legs to rest.  Of course, the overseas trip will last longer than that. So, make sure you get seats with plenty of room so he can raise his feet.  And, although nowadays they don't let people stay too long in the isle even during long trips, try to walk as much as possible during the flight. Enjoy the trip!Maria  coquis Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT