My Dad has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. My Dad and
Mum always planned to go travelling during their retirement and had
worked past pension age to fund it.
My Dad is fit and active and this has come as a big shock, particularly
the extent the cancer has progressed. I appreciate that time he has left
can vary wildly but I know they would both still love to go travelling
but the practicalities of travelling while on chemotherapy are what I
need to ascertain. To that end, I have a few questions:
Given that we are now all in the EU, can my Dad receive the prescribed
chemotherapy drugs throughout Europe?
Are there particular countries/ hospitals that will administer the IV
medication whether carried by my Dad or prescribed locally?
Will foreign hospitals provide antibiotics should my Dad become
neutropenic with a fever?
Are there countries outside of the EU that provide a reciprocal service?
(I note that New Zealand may do and that was on the list for my parents
to visit)
Would there be any issues carring chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics
across international borders?
Would it be normal for a PICC line, a central line of cannula for IV
chemotherapy?
I'm sure I'll have lots more questions. The bottom line is that I want
my parents to enjoy the travelling that they have looked forward to for
so long and have saved so hard for. Obviously, they will have to lower
their sights as some contries are going to be impractical but I would
hope they will get to see aqs much of the world as they can while my Dad
is fit and able to.
TIA