DO IT!

Don't feel silly for worrying, just sort it out with some good old fashioned rational thinking. Are you concerned about what will happen if you have a PE while traveling?

Sounds so fantastic! Definitely think it all through. I hope you go for it! International travel is such an opportunity to make memories!

I mean, there are what-ifs even if you've never had a PE. One of you could get the flu or break a leg. You just figure out what your concerns are and figure out how to address them. It's so do-able!

Can I take your place if you decide not to go??

Seriously, take every reasonable precaution you need to so you can stay safe, but please go, it'll be a wonderful experience for your kids and a great way to prove to yourself that life can still be great after PE and that you're taking control of it back and LIVING your life, not just existing. We survived to live, not just to exist until we die from something else. It's normal I think to feel nervous, but as long as there isn't a real physical reason not to go, then please go. I think you'll eventually regret if you don't. Would the pre-PE you go or stay?

Too, I mean I don't know about you, but I've traveled to remote places that are 45 miles from my home, driving on a back road somewhere where there aren't a lot of people. If something were to happen to me, I don't know how quickly someone would be able to help me there either. My point... danger is potentially anywhere. So rather than be frightened by all of it, take reasonable measures for your safety and know the odds greatly in your favor.

It's like what Andy said on the movie "Shawshank Redemption!" Get busy living, or get busy dying. I too used to think the same way about the unknown and about taking things to the next level after my DVT/PE. The pain I feel from my DVT leg, the reality of being a lifer on blood thinners, and the anxiety that overwhelms my mind when I feel a twinge of pain in my lungs will be with me for many more years to come. So it really doesn't matter where I'm at or what I'm doing, nothing will change what has happened to me. So I just decided one day to get on with my life! I think you should jump at this opportunity and live your live to the fullest! You deserve it!

I meant to say live your life to the fullest. If you are in pain, or anxious, you will be in pain or anxious no matter where you or, or what you're doing. So don't be afraid to live your life. Like RMB said, just take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. I got out of my hermetically sealed room a year ago and I will never look back!

Jeremy that's one of my most favorite movie lines and can't tell you how much I relied on it during my recovery and beyond, and I've posted it here a million times too, because it captures the moment where you decide what kind of person you want to be going forward. I always think, do I want to be a sick person going forward or do I want to be a whole person going forward? Most of us want to be a whole person going forward and so with that comes getting back in the saddle, doing what you love, being with your friends and family and just living well.

We are mortal beings and there's nothing we can do about that, so we might as well forge ahead. I look at it like this: I'm a person who happened to have a PE, and yeah, it nearly killed me, but that mere acknowledgement is all the power that event deserves as this point.

Thank you for all your replies.
Rmb it's funny but I also get completely freaked out when I have to go anywhere slightly remote from home too. I actually do work out how long it would take for help to get to me.
Possibly even funnier is I get really nervous if anyone else is driving me around near where I live. I actually had this conversation with my husband because he told me off for getting so nervous when he was driving ( he is not a bad driver). My reply was its all fine for him but my bleeding time is 2.5-3 times faster than his so in an emergency ...blah blah blah...even funnier we live about a 2 minute drive from the hospital !
I completely over think some ( many) situations so I have thought of all sorts of scenarios to worry over in terms of travel. This is a place that I wouldn't necessarily go if I hadn't had PEs.
My anxiety is heightened because I will be travelling to a foreign country with 5 children.
That said I have told my father that we will go with him. He is great and has chosen a great place for us to stay. He is also an inspiration for me because he is always positive about moving forward. We have a saying that gets us through difficult times - "it is what it is, just keep moving forward."
I also told my 2 eldest kids about the trip and their enthusiasm is definitely catching. We have been looking at the hotel online together and planning our travel list. I am getting a little excited as this will be my children's first international trip and its been about 13 years since I've been out of the country. So onward I go, still trying to balance a bad case of nerves with rational thought...but also looking forward to challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone and enjoy the journey.

Your feelings are normal. I was going to say see what your Doctor says, but I am going to say go for it or you will always regret it. The way I see it is when your time is up, it's up.