wren

We are just back from our 3 week trip to Amsterdam, Bruges, Normandy, Brittany, Western Loire, and Paris. What an incredible time we had! Unfortunately, 5 days into the trip, we had an experience in Bruges which caused us to alter our plans somewhat! When my husband was going down a flight of wooden stairs, one of the steps broke when he stepped down on it, he fell and landed on his elbow. He spent 2 nights in the hospital there, had surgery on his left elbow and they installed two screws! It was a part of Belgium we had not planned on seeing, but we did gain insight into their medical system from the experience!

He was a real trouper the rest of the trip...drugged up a little at first, but carried on with his chin up for the remainder of our escapades! We were supposed to meet our daughter the morning after the accident at CDG, (obviously that wasn't going to work out since he was in surgery) but as things turned out, her connecting flight to Atlanta was cancelled, and she was a day late arriving!!! We did miss one and a half days of the trip, (Giverny, Les Andelys) but in the whole scheme of things, we were very fortunate that all went as smoothely as it did.

We loved Normandy...the day we went to the beaches was windy and stormy, much like the weather during the landings. The museum in Caen was amazing, as was Honfleur's ambience, the incredibly ancient Bayeux tapestry, Mont St. Michel's mystique. I could go on and on. Perhaps I will get my act together and just write a trip report!!!

Jocelyn_P

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's accident. It sounds like it worked out as well as it could have, though.

Please do write a trip report!

Simone1

Welcome back! I am so sorry about your husband’s elbow. What a trooper. I hope he is feeling better now that he is home.

I know you were so excited about your trip. I am glad you had a good time after all. I sure look forward to your trip report.

sandi_travelnut

I've never experienced a medical emergency while traveling but was wondering about how your insurance covered it. Did you pay out of pocket then just filed a claim when you returned?

bookchick

Oh my gosh! Wren, I am so sorry to hear about this accident, but have to say you and your family have a wonderful outlook on things! Glad you were able to enjoy most of the rest of your trip, and wish your husband a continued complete recovery.

BC

wren

Sandi--that is what is so weird. You know how here in order to even get into the ER you have to fill out form after form? All we did was show his passport and they copied our address off our driver's license. He was in the ER immediately. We never paid for a thing the whole time. I assume I will get a bill eventually, but I would also assume that in the USA you wouldn't walk out the door without paying if your insurance was from another country. Also, he never sat in a wheelchair. He walked to Xray, walked to his room, walked out the door when he left. People over there must not sue like they do here because they were much more laid back to say the least!!! No rubber gloves when doing an injection. I could keep going! We went to a dr. in Honfleur and it cost a whopping 20 euro! You would pay a new patient fee or something outrageous here. The drugs were cheap...no long waiting in the pharmacies, you give them the RX, they go get what you need and hand it to you and you are on your way. United Health Care just told us to keep the receipts and they'd reimburse, so I will see!

cigalechanta

Welcome back and what an amazing experience you both went through.
I hope your husband is recovering.
The steps were at your hotel? or where? Maybe they'll pay the bill?

dwzemens

wren,

I too am sorry to hear about your husband, but thank goodness it worked out!

I am planning an Amsterdam - somewhere in the Normandy area - Paris trip for September. Can you tell me more about your trip - mode of travel, etc. I am excited to hear about it.

Dave Zemens
dwzemensWcomcast.net

jody

That's a travel experience you do not want to repeat ! Hope DH is feelingbetter and he deserves a star for being such a trooper!

I am always impressed by the stories we hear about medical emergencies in France, BE , etc.

kleeblatt

You're right about doctors not getting sued here (speaking of Switzerland). It happens only rarely. I hope it stays that way.

gailw

For whatever it's worth, you may not be charged at all for the treatments. My husband was hit by a car while crossing the street in Malta (in a "zebra crossing" no less!) and was treated, received skull x-rays, etc. at a hospital in Valletta. When I tried to pay them, they said there was no charge, that there was some kind of treaty with the US.

BetsyG

wren,
We are going to Brugge next week - where were the steps? Glad you were able to carry on with your trip!
Betsy

wren

The accident happened where we were staying. I have to say the owners were incredible about the whole thing. Needless to say, they felt horrible about it. But they went way beyond the call of duty for us both. The man drove me back and forth to the hospital many times and stayed with me to make sure everything was ok. He joked that he would be lonely without me in the passenger seat! When I was alone at their home, they fed me... (got to experience pickled herring for the first time and it was delicious), entertained me (with Belgian beer called Duvel--translated as Devil!!!), and we sat around and just got to know each other. We all sort of felt like we were meant to be brought together by a fluky accident. I felt like a family member by the time we left and told them they always have a place to stay in Florida if they are ever nearby.

Underhill

Wren,

What a shame! But I'm glad that you discovered the niceties of the European health-care systems and were able to carry on with the rest of your trip.

ahotpoet

When I was in Sorrento I met a Canadian woman who broke her arm in Capri. She didn't realize the extent of damage but when she got back to Sorrento she went to the hospital there. She eventually got xrays, surgery, drugs, the whole shebang and it didn't cost her anything. I'm impressed!

FainaAgain

Wren, hope your husband is feeling better now.

Yes, the European hospitals are very different, and so are the prices. When my son spent the night in the hospital in Germany, with IV and all "the trimmings" he paid out of pocket close to $300. We had Cigna, got 100% back.

And pickled herring is delicious, if anybody in San Francisco or visiting, go to any russian store, they have imported from Scandinavia, yummy!

P_M

Wren, so sorry for the mishap, but three cheers for you and your husband for your great attitudes!! Any trip is what you make of it, and you both know how to make lemonade when life gives you lemons. My hat is off to you.

harzer

On our recent trip to the former East Germany my lady companion managed to miss the last step of a flight of stone stairs, as we were walking into downtown Pirna and tumble over, spraining her foot badly.

Two people passing by rang for an ambulance and one was there within minutes. We have a great photo of L.C. being carried along by two stalwart medical officers hoisting her up by the shoulders.

After appropriate treatment which left her with a heavily bandaged foot and on elbow crutches, she carried on for another eight days, before having to capitulate and go home early.

That was on 10th June and she is only just now able to walk fairly normally on the foot.

All medical biils were refunded without demur. But she has no damages claim against the city of Pirna as it was all her own silly damned fault. And my loss of enjoyment claim against her got nowhere either.

Harzer

MyriamC

wren, sorry for what happened to your husband. I'm glad the two of you got treated so well, both at the hospital and with your new 'family'.
There must indeed be some kind of a treaty with the foreigners 'cause when we ourselves (I am Belgian, live in Belgium - Brugge is lovely, isn't it?!) go to the hospital we have to fill out a number of forms and pay an advance. They also never forget to send us a tall bill afterwards.

wren

Dave, I will try to write a report soon...if you have any specific questions, I will be glad to try to answer them. We took trains in Amsterdam and Belgium, and picked up a car in France and drove for 11 days. You will have a wonderful time!