Train to Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital

clairev

Six weeks ago we had the devestating news that our 22 year old daughter had a highly malignant brain tumour. After a month in hospital and two craniotomies she is back home and started on chemo. After being told in a very cold and informal way by our local oncologist (who completely ignored my daughter sitting in wheelchair next to me) that she probably only has a year to live we asked for a second opinion and now have an appointment to see top specialist at Royal Marsden, Fulham Rd, London.

I have searched for train tickets for the five of us and have found following:-
Wed 30.7.08 Newark Northgate 10.38 depart, return Kings Cross 18.33 depart for £180.25. Just wondered if anyone was really good at checking prices and know if I could get this price down at all. I know Martin has left loads of info on how to search but have limited amount of time as daughter has right sided paralysis caused by debulking of tumour so needs a lot of care and haven't got enough hours in day to do anything at present (trying to run our small business from home as well!)

If anyone can let me know of any more savings out there would be v grateful.

Rylo_2

That's absolutely awful - your poor daughter and you all must be devastated. I have had a quick look at train tickets but have only managed to get the price down by about £4, so hardly worth it.

I know it's probably a dreadful idea but have you thought about National Express coaches? I've just had a look and you can leave Newark at 08.10 and arrive in London by 12:20, retuning 16:00 and arriving Newark at 19:50. It is probably far too much for your daughter to be sitting on a coach for all that time but the price goes down to £107 for 5 of you.

I hope that some other mroe clued up person gets you some super cheap train tickets and that there's some hopefully happier news from the specialist in London.

clairev

Thank you Rylo. Yes would definitely be too much for Becky but my son, daughter-in-law and husband could do that and just me and Becks travel on train - will look into it x

denimwonder

When my brother was diagnosed with cancer Macmillan very kindly gave him some money to cover the toll for the Humber Bridge when he had to go to Hull for his chemo. It may be worth a go?

Frustratingly if he had been in prison we could have got bridge vouchers to go over to Hull...

Wishing you all the best at this very difficult time.

Miró

So sorry to hear of your daughter's illness. Does she have a McMillan Nurse? If so, could you enquire about a grant for the travel expenses? McMillan do give one off grants for things like this and they are usually pretty quick at processing claims.

Oldernotwiser

Sorry to hear the news about the cancer but pleased about the Royal Marsden. The big teaching hospitals are definitely the way to go if you can; I had appalling treatment in Shrewsbury but excellent care when I managed to get referred to St Thomas' in London.

Just wondered why so many of you are travelling down for this; I don't think that there'd usually be the whole family at the hospital in this way. If money's tight you might be better to hang on as you'll need to find travel costs for treatment in the future.

Please don't take offence at this - it's only a suggestion.

clairev

Thank you both. Yes, Macmillan benefit lady came yesterday and she has applied for a grant of some kind but not sure what it is for - think it for anything that will help Becky.

Just need to get best price for everything as we are hoping to take her on holiday of a lifetime when her chemo finishes next April/May - thinking of a road trip around California in an RV - haven't started researching it yet but have ordered the Virgin Holidays brochure so she can start dreaming! Imagine the difficult bit will be getting her travel insurance but will leave all that for now as will probably book it all last minute rather than in advance.

have looked on net and found people with same tumour who have survived six plus years and there is no telling what new treatments will be available by then so we are definitely not letting one doctor knock us down like that - it was the cruelest thing as for a few hours he completely took away our hope but we have bounced back again now x

clairev

Oldernotwiser - no offence taken at all. Just that her brother is heart broken and he and his partner are coming for support but they will pay their share of fare.

Oldernotwiser

clairev wrote: »

Thank you both. Yes, Macmillan benefit lady came yesterday and she has applied for a grant of some kind but not sure what it is for - think it for anything that will help Becky.

Just need to get best price for everything as we are hoping to take her on holiday of a lifetime when her chemo finishes next April/May - thinking of a road trip around California in an RV - haven't started researching it yet but have ordered the Virgin Holidays brochure so she can start dreaming! Imagine the difficult bit will be getting her travel insurance but will leave all that for now as will probably book it all last minute rather than in advance.

have looked on net and found people with same tumour who have survived six plus years and there is no telling what new treatments will be available by then so we are definitely not letting one doctor knock us down like that - it was the cruelest thing as for a few hours he completely took away our hope but we have bounced back again now x

A holiday would be wonderful but I'd be very wary about going to the States without travel insurance to cover this condition. Your whole family could be bankrupted if your daughter were to be ill whilst you're away and you won't get medical insurance to cover anything in any way related to this. Medical costs in the US are astronomical and they take people's houses to cover unpaid bills!!

(I'm sorry, I keep posting rather negative things but having had cancer myself and having a husband with a severe chronic condition we've had to holiday within Europe for years because of the reciprocal health coverage.)
I wish you all the very best.

tanith

Sorry to hear your news.. but I think you should be able to claim back your travelling expenses... contact the PALS (Patient Liason ) office at either your local hospital or the Marsden and they can advise you...

Voyager2002

Very best wishes for you at this difficult time.

Train companies do "group save" tickets which are worthwhile when about four or more people are travelling. I suggest you telephone and ask about this.