Now that a new year has begun, many people may begin making plans. Some individuals will join a gym to support their recent resolutions. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts may have designs for home renovations. Movie fanatics are gearing up for both the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Additionally, some people will start deciding on where to spend their vacations this year.
But how does getting away affect malignant mesothelioma patients? Can they still make these plans to travel? Sure!
At Kazan, McClain, Satterley, Lyons, Greenwood & Oberman, we want to make sure that you can live as functional a life as possible. Travel and vacationing may still be possible, even with mesothelioma. However, it is going to take a lot of careful consideration.
It’s still important to be able to get away
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other type of cancer poses a lot of challenges to patients as well as their loved ones. The symptoms of the disease may feel painful, and the treatments may come with physically taxing side effects, such as fatigue. The distress of this illness may also cause sleepless nights. It is not surprising that depression and anxiety become common issues for both cancer patients and their families.
Sometimes, a healthy distraction will do a world of good.
Mesothelioma patients have to plan carefully
If you’ve got the itch for some traveling, that’s great. But experts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology say that before you make any plans, you should consult your physician to make sure that you are healthy enough to travel. He or she can discuss potential risks, such as sunburns to radiation-treated skin, infection and the need for any vaccinations. In order to avoid fatigue, it may be better to wait a few days after the end of a chemotherapy cycle.
In some cases, cancer patients are okay to travel but are advised to avoid airplanes because of changes in oxygen levels or air pressure, which can be harmful for fresh surgery wounds. If you have been medically cleared for a vacation and are able to travel by air, you need to be aware of the heightened risk of blood clots on airplanes.
It is important to be prepared for medical emergencies. Make sure you have a supply of all the required medications. Also, write down a summary of your medical needs and emergency contacts on a card or piece of paper, and keep it handy with you at all times. If you’re traveling to a foreign country, consider having the information written in multiple languages.
If you are planning your vacation through an agency, be sure to discuss your health situation. They may be able to make smoother decisions for you regarding matters such as diet and travel health insurance.
Special plans for cancer patients
If you want to get away, but are out of ideas, consider going to a cancer camp. There are various retreat centers around the U.S., such as the Kokolulu Cancer Retreat in Hawaii and the Commonweal Cancer Help Program in California, that are specially designed to promote rest and relaxation for individuals living with malignant diseases, as well as their loved ones.
In case you find out that you are not medically able to travel, you can still have a fantastic vacation from the comfort of your own home. Experts from the University of Rochester Medical Center say that staying at home provides an opportunity to learn relaxation techniques, such as rhythmic breathing, mental imagery or hypnosis. You can also take up a new hobby or take a class that teaches arts and crafts