“I don't want people to hold themselves back,” says Laura Kruper, M.D., co-director of the breast cancer program at City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center known worldwide for its uniquely patient-focused care. “If you feel well enough to travel, you should go.”
With nearly 47 million Americans expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday alone – and with the holiday season just getting started, cancer patients may need some practical advice to help them take part in what, for many, can be a restorative experience.
For domestic travel, Kruper prefers road trips to plane rides. “In your car, you can relax, go whenever you please, take breaks and rest whenever you need to. Airplanes and airports carry a whole set of extra stresses you may want to avoid.”
If you do fly, be aware that long hours on a plane may be painful after recent surgery because of the stresses inherent in a pressurized cabin. Your arm or leg may swell if you've had lymph nodes removed. A pressure sleeve may help. You may be at extra risk for blood clots, so make sure to get up and walk around frequently.
At the airport, take advantage of every “perk” available to you. Ask for a wheelchair. Get priority check-in and board early, before the crowds. See about upgrading your seat for more legroom. Have airline people meet and assist you at both ends of your flight. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You're totally entitled to it, the airline is used to it, and your wellbeing matters more than anything else.
Cindy, a Stage IV breast cancer patient of Dr. Kruper, recommends doing a few yoga stretches while waiting. “I still travel as much as I can,” she says, “because it makes me feel like it always did: happy!”
For more traveling-with-cancer tips, or to interview Dr. Laura Kruper, please call Valerie Howard, at 626-218-8215 or email at [email protected].
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