Diary of a Med Emergency on the Royal

[cactusrose]

Hi Renee.. . . yes medical is much less expensive in other countries. Although Wally's total medical was just under $20,000 for the week it would have been many times that here. He was in the trauma center for two days in May and that bill was just over $41,000.

 

We do know Carol and David very well. We are having lunch with them Friday. Carol has told us about David's illness and being taken off the ship but didn't elaborate on their experience. I wasn't able to discuss our travel arrangements with the doctor as I only saw the surgeon once. BerkelyCare or On Call seem to handle each situation a little differently. Originally we were told that they would send a nurse escort home with him but in the end that didn't happen. I don't really think it was necessary anyway.

[Pirate1]

8. Get a receipt for everything and remember, the insurance probably won’t reimburse you for gratuities or incidental’s.

 

Hello CactusRose! Prat & Dipa here from Chicago...we were CCers on New Orleans to Rio last year. (couple from India).

 

Sorry to hear about Wallys medical emergencies and your trial & tribulations...glad you managed it so well....but no surprise as I remember you from the last cruise as a great organiser!

 

We are introducing first time cruisers (sister in law & husband from India on the Golden Jan 26..will be great to see you there.:) :) :)

 

Could not get into the Crowne Plaza so at the Holiday Inn on 25 th.Please write back to me at chevygiant@aol.com cannot find a Roll Call for this cruise.

Prat

[spingal]

Cactusrose,

 

Wow -- what a story. I am so glad to hear that Wally is OK.

 

I am going to print your story and have my Dad read it. He will be 77 in May and does not believe in insurance. The only time we have been able to convince him is when they book the Grand Suite and pay lots of money for the cruise. I keep telling him he is crazy to not buy - regardless of the cabin my parents book! :eek: We are going to Hawaii in April on the Diamond and he is choosing not to buy the insurance for this sailing. This time my parents are in a penthouse suite and the cruise fare is an amount that I would not want to lose if something happens!

 

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[Skitter]

Hi Stacy and Wally, John and I (Nancy) had the pleasure of sailing with you and Wally on the Dawn Princess through the Canal a few years back. You had a stern mini suite cabin on with the extra large balcony on the back of the ship. You invited us and others up to enjoy your balcony several times during the cruise. You are both wonderful hosts.

 

We are very sorry to hear of all the things you had to deal with by yourself besides just the fact that Wally was so sick.

 

I also got sick on a cruise last month but mine was nothing as serious as Wally's.

 

We were on the Coral Princess doing a 10 day Panama Canal cruise on November 30th. I became very sick with bronchitis on the 3rd day of the cruise. I stuck it out for the rest of the cruise because I do have a heart history (quadruple by pass 12 years ago). I was afraid if I went to the ships doctor they would have put us off the ship in a foreign port. When we got back home my doctor put me in the hospital for 5 days, I'm home now and doing much better although I'm still on oxygen. We had insurance but I didn't want my husband to have to go through what you had to.

 

We are so glad to hear Wally is doing better now. Drop us a email when you have time.

 

Nancy and John

[BJS]

Thank your for posting and most of all we are glad you are safe at home and Wally is doing well.

 

We will forever remember your advice.

 

 

Why did you recommend getting Medjet Assist? In your case would Wally's condition allowed him to fly home, via air ambulance, to have the pacemaker put in when you arrived in SF? Could he have been flown home when leaving the ship? I know they wouldn't fly you home after the surgery if you aren't being hospitalized when you return and if you are able to fly commercial.

 

We purchased an annual policy for Medjet Assist before our last cruise, this is in addition to Princess Travel Care Gold we always have, and wondered if in a situation similar to yours how well it would work.

[kruisey]

I really admire you for the way you handled your husbands emergency and so pleased that Wally has recovered.

Wishing you both a wonderful 2008........Love Heather:)

[SewLady]

Hi Stacey and Wally

 

I have just been reading your posts on your experience after you left the ship that day. I can't tell you how much you were in our thoughts during the rest of the cruise. You were especially remembered at dinner each night, as the two empty places were there for the rest of the cruise. We toasted your well being every night. It was a sad time for us all.

It is good to know though that Wally is doing so well, we are so glad to hear that.

I was one of the faces looking over the balcony that morning as you left, I felt I wanted to come down there and give you a hug to help you on your way and to give you strength to get through what was ahead.

Your posts to let us know how things were going were a great relief for us.

I don't know if I could have coped with the situation as well as you did, but I guess you have to do what you have to do.

We have pictures and video of Civita which I will send through email.

Take care of yourselves

I hope we can meet again on a cruise one of these days.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year for both of you.

Linda

[SingerEsq]

First, glad to hear you both made it home safely and that Wally is doing so well.

 

Second, thank you for taking the time to document your experience. I have seen many threads on these boards and posters who criticize travel insurance as an unnecessary expense or only for the aged. It is an unnecessary expense .... until you need it. And, it's not just you, but what if you have to cancel a trip b/c a family member takes ill or is injured, etc.? And in your situation, crossing borders, changing hospitals, hotels, one-way international airfares, etc. Such an experience would have been financially devasting to an uninsured traveler who thought saving a few hunderd dollars up front was a good idea. (I know you will update us, but I am interested to hear how your claim is handled. I've repped and sued insurance companies, so I know how they can be.)

 

Third, thanks for making me think of a few things that I would never have thought of (for example, I only carry AMEX ...... will definitely have to get a Visa or MasterCard before Tahiti), and the luggage issue (I wonder if the new Princess luggage service would/could have helped?).

 

Anyway, sounds like it was an experience that defines the old adage, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. You were thrown a real curve ball, but I bet know you figure you can take anything on!