K.J. Bannan Photo by Suz Redfearn
WHEN MY MOM WAS IN TREATMENT for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in 2018, our family decided to take a short midweek trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Just three hours away from our home on Long Island, the shore town on the Atlantic coast offered convenience and something for everyone, including my two school-aged daughters.
At the time, my 79-year-old mom’s fatigue and bone pain made it hard for her to walk. Before the trip, I rented a scooter and made sure the hotel had adequate accommodations for her, including wider doors for her scooter and an accessible shower.
When someone you love is being treated for cancer, you may put vacation plans on hold until later. But taking time away together can provide an opportunity to reconnect and to escape from the stress that often comes along with cancer. “As an oncologist, I try to be flexible and accommodating to make these trips work because these are important life events for many,” says Ryan Gentzler, a medical oncologist at UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. “Giving them the tools and the resources they need to make those plans work ensures the best chance of success of making it on those trips.”
Whether his patients hope to attend a family member’s destination wedding or to escape on a weekend excursion, Gentzler often shares the following tips for making travel easier:
Explore optimal timing. Prior to booking your hotel or flight, ask your loved one’s doctor about the best time to take a trip. Doctors may be able to adjust treatment timing for special occasions. Gentzler discourages patients from traveling during the first two cycles of a new treatment when it’s best to have health care providers nearby if the person has adverse reactions. In addition, certain cancers and treatments can weaken a person’s immune system, so doctors may stress certain times during treatment to avoid crowded spaces, such as airplanes.
Plan for emergencies in advance. Take the time to research hospitals near your planned vacation destination. “It’s good to have a game plan so you know where and how you can get to the closest care provider,” Gentzler says.
Have your medical record information handy. Print out information from your loved one’s medical records, including details about the diagnosis, doctors’ names and their contact information, and a list of current medications. “An updated medication list is crucial for emergency situations to ensure medical providers are aware of the patient’s current treatment,” Gentzler says. You may also want to bring other information, such as recent CT or PET scan reports on a thumb drive.
Build in breaks. Once you’ve decided on a destination, ensure your planned travel itinerary is realistic. You don’t want to sign up for an all-day tour if you know your loved one typically needs a two-hour nap every afternoon. A travel itinerary can be a guideline rather than a must-do list, Gentzler says.
Part of the reason our family trip was a success was because the attractions were all close by. When we were in Atlantic City, my mom was able to rest at the hotel while my daughters enjoyed the amusement rides at Steel Pier.
Looking back, I see that trip as a gift. We laughed and enjoyed ourselves, and my girls will never forget that time away. We didn’t end up having to seek health care, but we had the tools to access care if needed. And I am thankful for the doctors who encouraged us to make those memories.
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