Travelling with stage 4 from spain

[Pipster]

Hi,

My dad was diagnosed in January with stage 4 pancreatic. Inoperable, but offering (initially) palliative chemo on a trial. Then he got jaundice and so has had 2 bile drains and a stent put in but now waiting to hear if chemo is still an option. Problem for me is he lives in Spain and i don't speak Spanish, and neither of my parents are really sharing full details.

He is keen to come to visit me in the uk which i am keen to support. A short visit over easter, and then another at the end of april. My GP says he can sign on as a temporary patient for 3 months. Will he need any special permission to travel? Will he be fit for travel after chemo? Is he likely to have any sudden 'attack'? Currently he has jaundice and is losing weight but no itching and managing to live a normal life with no drugs. I don't think he's being very realistic about his plans but don't want to upset his positive mindset....all advice gratefully received

Pipster

[Veema]

Hi Pipster...I replied to you comment on the macmillan forum, so won't repeat it here.

I'm sure there will be those that have more insight into this who will reply soon.

Vx

[Elaine123]

Hi Pipster I am sorry to hear your dads diagnosis ....I don't know anything about the effects of travel on PC but if you give our nurses on here either an email or a call they will give you excellent advice. All I can add is that we have found that Petes condition can change in no time and we need systems in place to cope with that, by that I mean our 24 hour helpline to the cancer unit and being able to contact our liaison nurses at both the unit and our local hospital. I hope you can get a plan worked out that lets your Dad visit. Sorry I cannot be of more help but there will be someone who will give you advice.

Elaine

X

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hi Pipster,

Welcome to the forums, and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear of your dad's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and the fact that you are in different countries.

Having a stent fitted should not exclude your dad from having chemo - as long as it is working to relieve the jaundice. And as long as dad is still assessed as "fit" for the chemo.

He needs to discuss travelling with his oncologist - it should not be an issue - he will need travel insurance as usual, but he should still be able to travel, unless he is very unwell after chemo - its usual for folk to go places when they are in their week off, as by then, they usually feel better.

When you say "sudden attack" - what did you mean by this?

With regards to his weight loss, is he taking any pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to assist his digestion, and stop the weight loss? These might well be known as creon, as this is the most common brand used. If he is not on these, its likely that he needs them.

I hope this helps a bit?

In the meantime, should you wish to contact us for any reason, please see the email address at the bottom of this signature.

Kind regards,

Jeni.

Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: support@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707