What am I going to do ?

[missou]

I personally would go to the ER with my daughter if I were in your shoes and demand a complete explaination as too why she doesn't need to be seen right away. Hope your DD feels better real soon.

[cruise_lover]

I am sorry about your daughter BUT that is why so many of us here stress how important it is to buy travel insurance. Age has nothing to do with being healthy or accident free. Not to mention the chance of getting called for Federal Jury Duty, etc. Too many things can and do go wrong before a cruise starts and the only way to get a refund is to buy a $99.99 (that is what we pay for full coverage) insurance policy for each person in our group. It is well worth the piece of mind it gives us.

[Ocean Boy]

The specialist may not even be aware of the situation! Normally, he doesn't even know who his patient is going to be until a few minutes before see them. To me, it's the pediatrician who needs to step up and get the girl seen. However, we really don't know all the issues involved, or how serious this is or isn't, and the pediatrician obviously has an idea. ;)

 

Well I can tell you that sometimes calling the specialist personally helps get an appointment and sometimes I end up beating my head against the wall. One learns over time which specialist are responsive and which ones are not.

[Sea Island Lady]

So true! That's why I asked the OP if she knew anybody that know someone...etc.. ;)

 

Just read the following report:

 

Editorial comment: The American Heart Association tells us that 1 in 5 children have undiagnosed cardiomyopathy ( heart defects). This is why the big push is on and just beginning to equip schools with AEDs and screening. As in this case, an AED can't save everyone, but 70-90% is a whole lot better then the 2-15% it is without them!

 

Dan Mohrbacher

AED Advocates

[WendyVF]

I manage medical practices and know that all practices get cancellations all the time. Be polite but keep calling them. Ask to be put on a wait list. Ask if they mind if you check back each day. A lot of our cancellations come in late in the day so ask them what is the best time to call. If you can, try to build a rapport with who you are talking to. A lot of the time they will remember you when a cancellation comes up or at least want to get you to stop calling! I probably wouldn't mention that you need this so you can go on a cruise...not the best way to make friends during a cold winter

[pjsugg]

I am sorry to hear about your daughter. Our daughter (age 29 with 3 kids and no husband) was diagnosed with brain cancer in November. We will go down south (4hrs) to visit them and take care of the final arrangements for us to go on our cruise. It will cost $$$$ to hire people, but she really wants us to go. We DID buy the insurance, and they were wonderful about us cancelling and getting all of our money back, but it now appears we will be going after all. I do hope a doctor will see your daughter sooner so that you can also go, but I learned for sure this time, I will never schedule without the insurance. Good luck. I will certainly put her in our prayers as so many have for us.

 

Patti

[nseagirl]

I have absolutely NO advice to give you. You've heard it all already. Just want to tell you that I will pray for you and your dd right now. Please write back and let us know how she is. We care!!

[RichardK]

There is nothing unfair about the cruiseline's response. It is surprising how many people won't spend the money on insurance and then want the cruiseline to make an exception when something occurs. If they cut everybody a break, who would buy insurance? The cruiseline is in the business of making money. Many people seem to forget that.

That being said, I send my best wishes out to your daughter and you. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious and that she has a speedy recovery.:)

 

These two opinions probably represent those of the vast majority --- i.e., certainly the very best wishes for your daughter; while holding the line regarding a cruise line making exceptions.

 

Personally, I buy insurance within 14 days of any and all of my vacations......just in case!! If they did cut you a break (an exception) then why am I purchasing insurance at all???

 

Best of luck!

[Sea Island Lady]

pjsugg - I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I know you must be going through a rough time. :(

[wsantelope]

Yes, Best wishes for your daughter....I personally would go sit in the office all day if need be ... of the specialist on Day 1 - 2 - 3 etc....you get the idea....until I was seen. :cool:

That or go through the Emergency Room if you have insurance.

Finding another Dr. is a good idea too!

I think if you're persistant you can get it done.

[land lover]

What AM I GOING TO DO????????????????

 

Take care of your daughter and worry about the cruise later.

Good Luck

[Amy from Delaware]

hmmmm....okay. If it was an *emergency* it would be treated as an *emergency* by the pediatrician and the cardiologist. The fact that it is not being treated as an *emergency* means it's probably not. I'm not sure why it makes sense for mom and daughter to stress out by sitting in the doctor's waiting room every day until they're seen.

 

There's got to be some trust in the pediatrician's opinion that it's NOT an emergency. If that trust isn't there, then maybe it's time to get a 2nd opinion from another pediatrician? At the very least, I'd call the current pediatrician and ask their opinion about safety of travel. I'd ask if the referral to the cardiologist is because s/he thinks there's something actually wrong, or if it's just a precaution.

 

More information is needed by you (the OP) before you can make an INFORMED decision about how to proceed, IMO.

[Sea Island Lady]

I sure hope the OP comes back today and let's us know what is going on. She has not been back on the board since making her three short post, early on. :(

[Vmar]

I hope this may help you. In Dec we had to cancel a ski trip to Banff due to my father in Laws emergency heart surgery. We had no trip insurance but since we paid by mastercard they had a general travel insurance throught the card. We had to send in a claim but we got every penny back. Call your credit card company and see what they can do since you technically wont receive the product you have paid for.

More importantly than money I hope all works out well for your daughter. My teenage son is an elite athelete (swimming) and his helath is always on my mind at the best of times.

God Bless

Vmar

[Happy ks]

I do hope your daughter is fine and this incident was just an unusual incident that won't happen again.

 

I have a bit of a problem with the doctor not seeing a patient for a full 2 weeks. Not knowing what the cause was would cause me enough stress to have anxiety attacks. So...why not be a stronger advocate for your daughter and see another doctor? If you have a medical plan that involves red tape (HMO), call the administrative office and plead your case with them.

 

I'd not hesitate to tell them you have a vacation planned. I feel the opposite, I don't think a receptionist would be jealous and conniving, I think they would be a little more helpful. It's just how I would respond to another human being and the professional offices I've dealt with have been just that.... professional with human feelings.

[reallyitsmema]

I do hope your daughter is fine and this incident was just an unusual incident that won't happen again.

 

I have a bit of a problem with the doctor not seeing a patient for a full 2 weeks. Not knowing what the cause was would cause me enough stress to have anxiety attacks. So...why not be a stronger advocate for your daughter and see another doctor? If you have a medical plan that involves red tape (HMO), call the administrative office and plead your case with them.

 

I'd not hesitate to tell them you have a vacation planned. I feel the opposite, I don't think a receptionist would be jealous and conniving, I think they would be a little more helpful. It's just how I would respond to another human being and the professional offices I've dealt with have been just that.... professional with human feelings.

I agree, call the cardiologist directly and explain your situation. Specialist do not book out their whole schedules far in advance. They have emergency appointments built into their days. Get on a waitlist, tell them you can get there on short notice and give them your cell phone number.

 

We can all sit here and tell you our experiences with cardiologists but that isn't going to easy you concern over your daughter's health or get you on the cruise. I hope you are able to see the doctor earlier and your daughter is cleared to go on your cruise. :)

[vmom]

Is there a major medical center in the area? Often there are several cardilogists on staff and you are more likely to get an earlier appt. due to a cancelation.

 

I would also call daily to see if there is a cancelation for that day. Cancelations happen on a daily basis and sometimes its a matter of timing.

 

After that, as someone else suggested, call you pediatrician and run it all by him.

[RichardK]

Looking forward to the OP coming back and giving us an update..........!

[lindasuej]

I am very sorry for your daughters illness. I could never imagine having to deal with that with your child. I am very sympathetic to your dilema. However that is why they have insurance. You can't have your cake and eat it too. People feel that they can save money by not purchasing insurance and they can. I was like you too for my first cruise. However!!! it is a gamble. They can't make exceptions. It is a business decision. My very first cruise 7 years ago, 6 weeks before the cruise my hubby (age 51 at the time (young) had a heart attack. We did not have insurance and that was our gamble. We were told that no exception could be made. Fortunately for us, 2 days before the cruise the doctor gave hubby a clear to go. My girlfriend was with us and she was a nurse so I felt a little more comfortable going. He couldn't do anything but rest and relax. HMMMM isn't that part of cruising. A year later we booked another cruise and 8 weeks before the cruise he had chest pains and they ended up doing open heart surgery. Fortunately we learned our lesson with the previous cruise and we had insurance. Good luck to you and I hope your daughters doctors visit and tests reveal nothing serious

 

Linda

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

One thing not mentioned here is the OP medical insurance. She may be under a HMO or other type insurance that only allows her to see certain doctors who accept her plan. I am guessing that may be why she has to wait for this cardiologist.

 

OP...I had some heart problems a few years ago, I was treated in the ER with instructions to see a cardiologist and to follow up with my PC doctor...who BTW saw me the next day. I asked how soon do I need to see the cardiologist and the ER Dr said with in a month. They gave me all the paperwork and what ER treatments I had. Once I saw the cardiologist it was tests and then getting the results...all negative. So even if your daughter sees a cardiologist tomorrow, there will be tests. More scheduling, more waiting, another visit to the cardiologist for the test results.....it all takes time.

 

 

In the mean time I hope your daughter is OK, please keep us posted.

 

***

[Sea Island Lady]

Dishbaby - I noticed you posted on the Jamaica board this morning about an excursion, so I gather your cruise is on! :)

 

How is your daughter doing?

[nseagirl]

Anybody know if Dishbaby made her cruise?

[ehfl]

Cruise/trip insurance will usually take care of this. With RCLs insurance, you would lose 25% if you switched to another cruise. There may be some better deals out there.

 

When you chose to cruise, you have to decide whether you want to pay extra for trip insurance and have peace of mind, or save the money and take the risk of the unexpected. It's great that we have the choice...just make sure you make the right one for you...and graciously accept those times when you may make the wrong choice.