Random question, but this is the place for that, right? Anyone have any experience traveling to Paris (or other city for anecdotal advice) with someone in the midst of chemotherapy? Looking for an agency or person to pick us up at the airport, take us to hotel, and make reservations for sites. Probably will look into taking a wheelchair for fatigue issues, but is a wheelchair a big problem in Paris? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. REALLY would be heartbroken to have to cancel this trip.
Have you googled Paris Tourism Wheelchair? Surely someone has written a blog.
Make sure you hotel doesn’t have a step or two up into it even if it has an internal elevator.
I’ll send you a PM for an airport pickup
I would recommend getting a Paris museum pass for skip the line access at the very least and better yet, hiring a private guide if your plans include any of the sites that are likely to be crowded (especially in June). We used Paris Muse and were very happy; I have also heard good things about Context Travel.
One thing about people having chemotherapy is that their immune systems are highly compromised. When I had a relative who was having cancer treatment, he had a friend fly him in a private plane, so he wouldn’t be exposed to all the germs that are commonly in the airplane. Now, most of us can’t afford this, but I’d be concerned about the huge number of germs inherent in flying and also in the museums and sightseeing that may be proposed.
When we had a loved one who was in the midst of cancer treatment, there were times when she became more reclusive, when her white cell counts were especially low and she didn’t want to be around anyone who might give her germs or get her sick, since that could be fatal. Maybe the medical team of this cancer patient may have suggestions?
Here’s a website that has some tips of travel with cancer.
https://www.nccn.org/patients/resources/life_with_cancer/traveling.aspx
I went to Paris right after treatment. Purell will be your new best friend. Exhaustion is a factor. Schedule everyday in increments. Strength ebbs and flows. Is the wheel chair necessary for long walks only? Or for all day everyday? There are a few metro stops that are wheelchair friendly. Bar Hakkim is one of them. We are also going to Paris in the next few weeks…this time I am healthier (no chemo) but I have Parkinsons…ain’t I lucky?) For safety I am bringing a cane. Beware the gypsies. You will be a target…more so then normal. Do not go in the metro during peak times. My son’s phone was stolen on our last trip. Prior trip Mr. Ellebud’s wallet was almost stolen. Another rider saw the girl drop the wallet. And we got it back. Stay in an area that has a lot of dining options. There were nights that I was too exhausted to go out and within a block we found a good restaurant. Stay hydrated!
Note: our last trip was to Italy with all of us…new dil included. You will make such incredible memories. One night in Milan we ate outdoors in one of those plastic tents with heaters. There was a big party next to us. We toasted each other and it began to pour. My son opened his umbrella, put his other arm around me and we ran the three blocks to the hotel.
This is my way of saying…make the memories, be safe, and laugh. The healing drug is laughter. (But talk to the onc to see if he/she has instructions).
I have seen people in public places, airplanes and airports wearing face masks. Perhaps there is a type of face mask that adds an extra element of protection (like, coated with some disinfectant, idk?) Certainly the oncologist would be a helpful person to ask.
My understanding from medical personnel I have spoken with is once the mask is put on, it gets soiled pretty quickly and doesn’t really provide as much protection as folks hope and assume. The persons who are SUPPOSED to wear the masks are those who are ill and infectious, but they rarely are those who wear them. When I visit certain medical centers, they DO request that folks who are ill wear masks and have them handy at the entrances with large signs requesting that they be worn by anyone who MAY be ill.
Once the mask becomes moist, it is less effective and can be more harmful than helpful. Strict hand washing with warm water and soap and using a towel or elbow to turn off faucets and open bathroom doors will prevent a chance of infection. Make sure your travel companion has lab work drawn prior to the trip to check her white blood cell count. Ask the doctor about eating fresh fruit or vegetables that may or may not be washed. The doctor may also want to order medication for them to bring in case of illness. Bring a thermometer, a glass or stainless steel water bottle, a list of medications, diagnosis, treatment and the MD’s contact info.Purchase trip cancellation insurance that would cover illness, medication, and cover cost of early return trip. Avoid mass transportation.
I took my mother to Italy while she was on chemo. She’d been taking Neulasta so her immune system was fine. We talked with her Oncologist who 100% supported the trip.
The biggest factor was fatigue. We just did one maybe 2 things a day, with lots of rest time at cafés. Wheelchairso would have been difficult, but I did bring a collapsible seat which was a life saver. It allowed my mom to sit when there was no seating.
The other issue was stairs, the major sites including the Colosseum had elevators available for patrons who needed them.
The only place I’d not recommend for tourists with fatigue issues is Venice. No cabs, lots of walking. That shouldn’t be an issue in Paris.
@trojanchick99 - I have mobility issues and spent two glorious weeks in Venice this past summer. There’s only as much walking as you choose to do. The vaporettos go everywhere and run all the time. Venice also has the advantage of being very flat.
Thanks for the tips and advice. I was unclear in my original post - I’m the cancer patient, traveling with my 15 year old daughter. I accidentally got cancer! My oncologist is okay with my going, as long as I have drugs and an emergency plan. Since my post, I reached out to some French friends to ask for help. In a small world coincidence, a friend who works for a pharmaceutical company is an oncologist, and will connect me with an oncologist in Paris in advance of my trip. What are the odds? I knew he was a doctor, but I didn’t know what kind. I only have plane tickets so far, but will not start planning the details.
How wonderful you will have access to oncologists in Paris, as needed. I think flexibility is key, with LOTS of time to rest and enjoy the ambience rather than rushing thru crowds. You will have a great time!
@Leafyseadragon, what a comfort to know you have a medical connection in case of emergency, or even in case of “just need a little help or advice.”
I would also get clear directions in advance from your health insurance company to make sure that, in case you do need any medical help, you know how to access international care without running afoul of any of their rules and red tape.
Chiming in to encourage trip insurance with pre-existing condition coverage. If you have it, you won’t need it. I’m a believer regardless of health status; I broke a limb abroad and needed to fly home business class on an unexpected date with DH nearby as I wasn’t ambulatory. Very nice to have coverage for our new travel arrangements. Could also help with medical logistics if needed and also any random flight issues. They serve as a “concierge” if you need help abroad.
All good wishes for a wonderful trip with your daughter. Good that you have known locals in your corner. I’d focus on enjoying the sights and being clever about ways to prevent over-doing it. There is an extremely well-reviewed dinner cruise down the Seine, for example. Apparently the food is good and the views are spectacular.
All the best!
I traveled overseas with cancer and had medication which had to be refrigerated. We planned our trip so that our room had a fridge, and if it didn’t, we never had a problem arranging to store my meds in the hotel fridge. I had a letter from my doc authorizing me to carry syringes, too, since Customs can be finicky about that stuff.
My experience was that I needed to watch how much time I spent in the sun – it was VERY easy to get dehydrated. A/C was my friend. I found I needed to get some place to rest BEFORE I thought I was too tired. When I was at about 60%, it was time to recharge for a while (whether at a cafe, sitting in a museum, taking a nap at the hotel while others went to see something I was less interested in visiting).
That said, I still keeled over in the Sistine Chapel on an August afternoon – there is no air conditioning in the Vatican Museums (at least not in 2003). Several nuns from the Philippines gave me their water bottles and fed me cough drops. We didn’t speak the same language, but their caring said everything necessary.
I’m now on a different oral chemo and the side effects are minimal. Still watch out for exhaustion, but it’s overall much less hassle.
I keep a little wallet in my bag labeled as medical emergency info, with the names/phone numbers of my doctors, all my meds and dosages, and medical history. Started doing this after I had a full cardiac arrest and DH realized he did not know all the medications I was taking. He has a copy of my document on his cellphone, too. Make sure you have a cell phone. I had my full cardiac arrest three weeks after coming back from a long overseas trip where I was at times sightseeing alone in non-English-speaking countries without DH or a phone. A hospital would have had no way to reach DH (or for him to reach me).
The wallet was handy when I was in a car accident a couple of months ago – pulled it out and gave it to the EMTs. My local doctors’ offices are immensely appreciative that I have a doc they can copy and put in my file.
Be gentle with yourself. Traveling is hard on your body. Rest is necessary.
The great news about Paris is that there are just so many places to hang out for a while! I would also recommend a transit pass – riding the bus can give you great views of cool things to visit (or not) later.
If you decide to visit Les Invalides, there’s a little cafe in the museum with the most amazing hot chocolate. Angelina’s has several locations, but that’s my favorite one, since it’s always so quiet.
I have limited mobility, and had a lovely time in Paris last summer. Your trip is bound to be a special one!!