When you have a child with a chronic or incurable condition such as advanced cancer, it is often easiest to simply stay at home. But if you have other children, you need to make sure that they get an occasional vacation and a break from the constant stress. Your sick child will benefit from doing something fun and being away from home and the hospital, and a holiday is a perfect way to create happy memories as a family. It just requires a bit more planning and preparation for travel.
Deciding to Travel
It might be tricky, but rather than disappointing your kids, it is best not to tell them of the holiday in advance. That way, if your child has a relapse, you can postpone the trip for later, without getting their hopes up. If you take out travel insurance, you can extend it with trip cancellation insurance, which allows you to recoup your losses.
Plan for light activities on holiday and work in a lot of relaxation sessions. Arrange with your Virgin Island Vacation rentals (or wherever you’re traveling to) for a wheelchair so that your child does not get overtired walking to sights and places like the museum. Fresh air is important so consider venues like botanical gardens and the beach. But be prepared to keep these trips brief. Arrange for indoor activities the whole family can enjoy.
Take bottled water with you as the quality may differ from what you are used to and could make family members ill. Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent. Ensure that all vaccinations are current six weeks before traveling.
Making Travel Arrangements to Fly
Your travel arrangements will depend on if you are driving to your holiday destination or flying there. Either way, you will first need your sick child’s go-ahead to travel. Flying may cut down on your overall hours traveling.
If the plan is to fly, you can avoid the associated hassles by going with Flying Angels, a non-emergency service that uses commercial flights to accommodate sick patients. A Flight Nurse will take care of your child throughout the flight and administer any medications necessary. You will be allocated a Flight Coordinator who will handle all logistical arrangements. This service includes all travel aspects to get the patient from their bed at home to their bed at the holiday venue.
Making Arrangements to Drive
Be prepared for the possibility of your child getting motion sickness. This could happen to your healthy child too. Make sure that the whole family has a meal before you start the journey as this can prevent or reduce the effects of motion sickness. Your doctor can give you medication for this.
Pack your sick child’s medicines in a cooler bag and keep them inside the car so that they are within easy reach. Some other items you will want to take with are a first-aid kit, over-the-counter tablets or syrup for allergies and pain, and waterless hand sanitizer. Keep everyone hydrated.
Ask your doctor to recommend a hospital and oncologist close to your vacation site in case your child requires urgent medical attention.
A vacation will relieve a lot of tension for the whole family. With a bit of planning, you can ensure that it is a success.
I usually would not travel with a sick child. However, if I could not change my travel arrangements these would be good tips to follow.