Aggiemom is back: A medical oddysey in France...
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:28 AM
#22
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So sorry to read of your concerns and difficulties, but you should be very proud of yourself for handling it all so well. In many ways you were both lucky, I guess that's the way to think of it.
Here's hoping that a few years from now, after you've been to Paris again, this will have faded away.
Here's hoping that a few years from now, after you've been to Paris again, this will have faded away.
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:31 AM
#23
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Gee, aggiemom, what a terrible thing to happen! It's a good thing you were in a hotel that could deliver what you needed, including the doctor, and that the medical care at the hospital was so good. I wish your husband a speedy recovery and hope that your next trip will make up for this one.
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:39 AM
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Your experience with doctors in France sounds similar to the one my sister and I had in Paris 5 years ago. Everyone very nice and helpful and no emphasis on money. Hope things go better the next time.
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:39 AM
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Remember when David Bloom, the CNN reporter, died in Iraq from a pulmonary embolus (blood clot that has moved to the lungs)? He had traveled by plane a lot, and was sleeping in a cramped tank. It ended up that he had a hereditary clotting factor, that no one had known about. I`m so glad your DH is getting better and that he did not ignore the symptoms, like David Bloom did. He was my favorite reporter.
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:47 AM
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Dear Aggiemom,
I'm so sorry for your saga - and very relieved for you that your husband made it through this safe and sound. My husband has some sort of genetic clotting disorder that has caused 3 women (mom and 2 sisters) in his family to have strokes and pulmonary thrombosis. One sister was pregnant when she had a double pulmonary embolism - she's now a medical textbook case because she survived it (barely). We were always told that men really rarely inherited this clotting tendency so we never worried -- and then last year, my husband had a stroke (at age 36). He recovered fully (knock on wood) - although not without heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart that presumably led the clot to his brain. So there is a genetic component, and men do inherit it!
Also, isn't it amazing how much cheaper healthcare is outside the U.S.? I work in health care - international health care for years (actually did an internship at Hopital Americain de Paris/Neuilly) - and it stuns me how much cheaper it would be to have pretty much anything abroad. Something like your husband's hospital stay or wj1's would be so much more expensive in the States. I understand why, but as a consumer, for whom the burden of healthcare costs are ever increasing, it's really hard to swallow. If I ever need a hip replacement, heart surgery, or anything elective that my insurance won't cover fully, I will do it abroad for the price alone! There are some great institutions that offer excellent care (clinical outcomes and hospital quality) at a fraction of our costs. I always wished I could buy a healthcare cover (insurance) that would take care of emergencies here, but cover me abroad for anything for which I can travel (and throw in a spa to boot..still cheaper for the insurance company!!)
Anyhow, best of continued healing for your husband - we are going to Paris in december, and it's good to know that l'hopital Americain de Paris is still a quality place.
I'm so sorry for your saga - and very relieved for you that your husband made it through this safe and sound. My husband has some sort of genetic clotting disorder that has caused 3 women (mom and 2 sisters) in his family to have strokes and pulmonary thrombosis. One sister was pregnant when she had a double pulmonary embolism - she's now a medical textbook case because she survived it (barely). We were always told that men really rarely inherited this clotting tendency so we never worried -- and then last year, my husband had a stroke (at age 36). He recovered fully (knock on wood) - although not without heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart that presumably led the clot to his brain. So there is a genetic component, and men do inherit it!
Also, isn't it amazing how much cheaper healthcare is outside the U.S.? I work in health care - international health care for years (actually did an internship at Hopital Americain de Paris/Neuilly) - and it stuns me how much cheaper it would be to have pretty much anything abroad. Something like your husband's hospital stay or wj1's would be so much more expensive in the States. I understand why, but as a consumer, for whom the burden of healthcare costs are ever increasing, it's really hard to swallow. If I ever need a hip replacement, heart surgery, or anything elective that my insurance won't cover fully, I will do it abroad for the price alone! There are some great institutions that offer excellent care (clinical outcomes and hospital quality) at a fraction of our costs. I always wished I could buy a healthcare cover (insurance) that would take care of emergencies here, but cover me abroad for anything for which I can travel (and throw in a spa to boot..still cheaper for the insurance company!!)
Anyhow, best of continued healing for your husband - we are going to Paris in december, and it's good to know that l'hopital Americain de Paris is still a quality place.
Oct 31st, 2005, 09:52 AM
#27
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aggiemom,I am so glad to hear your husband is on the mend. To me he sounds like he was in very good health. What happened to him is just darn scarey. Not too many of us can say we get enough exercise. I will certainly be thinking of you during our trip and be watching for any unusual signs in health.
You are always so well prepared, did you have all the medical health insurance information with you that you needed?
This is the first trip I have printed out our information with a list of hospitals and doctors that BCBS uses internationally. I'd never thought about doing it before plus we have taken out other travel insurance.
I feel superstitious about being so prepared that I am asking for problems, must be because today is Halloween
Please let your husband know he is wished a speedy return to good health. Deborah
You are always so well prepared, did you have all the medical health insurance information with you that you needed?
This is the first trip I have printed out our information with a list of hospitals and doctors that BCBS uses internationally. I'd never thought about doing it before plus we have taken out other travel insurance.
I feel superstitious about being so prepared that I am asking for problems, must be because today is Halloween
Please let your husband know he is wished a speedy return to good health. Deborah
Oct 31st, 2005, 10:32 AM
#28
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If it is of interest to anyone, I found a website that has a risk assessment test for DVT. You can find it at www.preventdvt.org, there is a pdf file with the test that is meant to be shared with a healthcare professional. I'm at moderate risk so looks like I'll be paying alot more attention to doing leg exercises on an hourly basis on those long flights. Safe travels everyone. Deborah
Oct 31st, 2005, 10:56 AM
#29
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Seamus: Yes, you are correct about well fitting TED hose. Luckily, we know what to do about that, and they were professionally fitted, here as well as the stronger ones we bought in Paris.
Schuler: We felt very confident we had excellent care in France. They had results of ALL tests available within minutes, in duplicate and ready for our insurance company. Prescriptions were filled immediately, aside from one that had to be specially ordered, but arrived within a few hours. They were very inexpensive.
Kavey: We had no trip insurance to reimburse for the ruined holiday. We were pleasantly surprised by American Airlines in that our tickets were re-issued without any penalities providing we showed proof of medical emergency (we did). We did need to provide a certificate of ability to fly before they let us board. They also put us in a three-seat row and blocked the middle seat for us. We did contact the Medical Department of AA in Dublin and followed their instructions.
After my husband was stable in Paris we decided that if this has to happen, what better city to be in, than Paris?? We did manage to see a few sites in Avignon and also managed a few hours in the Louvre, Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle and environs. Right now, we're just glad we're all okay and the kids we left at home on their own (16 and 17) did an admirable job!
Our health insurance will fully reimburse all hospital, doctor, pharmacy expenses at the same level of our coverage here.
DeborahAnn: See Seamus's post about making sure the stockings are well fitted. VERY important. Our doctor here, pre-trip, said that knee length TED hose were good enough. However, once diagnosed with the clots, they switched him to thigh high ones in France.
wj1: Glad to hear your Mom is doing well. I was wondering how that turned out and actually thought of you when DH and I were in the hospital in Paris.
DanM: Gig 'em!
thanks, all, mom
Schuler: We felt very confident we had excellent care in France. They had results of ALL tests available within minutes, in duplicate and ready for our insurance company. Prescriptions were filled immediately, aside from one that had to be specially ordered, but arrived within a few hours. They were very inexpensive.
Kavey: We had no trip insurance to reimburse for the ruined holiday. We were pleasantly surprised by American Airlines in that our tickets were re-issued without any penalities providing we showed proof of medical emergency (we did). We did need to provide a certificate of ability to fly before they let us board. They also put us in a three-seat row and blocked the middle seat for us. We did contact the Medical Department of AA in Dublin and followed their instructions.
After my husband was stable in Paris we decided that if this has to happen, what better city to be in, than Paris?? We did manage to see a few sites in Avignon and also managed a few hours in the Louvre, Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle and environs. Right now, we're just glad we're all okay and the kids we left at home on their own (16 and 17) did an admirable job!
Our health insurance will fully reimburse all hospital, doctor, pharmacy expenses at the same level of our coverage here.
DeborahAnn: See Seamus's post about making sure the stockings are well fitted. VERY important. Our doctor here, pre-trip, said that knee length TED hose were good enough. However, once diagnosed with the clots, they switched him to thigh high ones in France.
wj1: Glad to hear your Mom is doing well. I was wondering how that turned out and actually thought of you when DH and I were in the hospital in Paris.
DanM: Gig 'em!
thanks, all, mom
Oct 31st, 2005, 11:03 AM
#30
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Aggiemom,
I'm so sorry to hear about your hubby's health problems. Bravo to you both for recognizing the situation as severe and taking immediate action.
Another good reason to keep those credit card balances low - you never know when an emergency will hit. Those extra $$$ limits take away at least one burden during very stressful situations such as this.
Your comment, "which we nervously watched move from below the knee to his upper thigh" - I can't imagine your fright and worry.
Blessings to you both. I pray that hubby has a successful recovery.
I'm so sorry to hear about your hubby's health problems. Bravo to you both for recognizing the situation as severe and taking immediate action.
Another good reason to keep those credit card balances low - you never know when an emergency will hit. Those extra $$$ limits take away at least one burden during very stressful situations such as this.
Your comment, "which we nervously watched move from below the knee to his upper thigh" - I can't imagine your fright and worry.
Blessings to you both. I pray that hubby has a successful recovery.
Oct 31st, 2005, 01:01 PM
#31
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Welcome back Aggiemom..
It must been very scary for both of you to be so far away from home and to deal with such serious health problem..
Luckily you knew the French language and were able to explain your DH conditions and understand what it was said about his problem.
After reading your plights, from now on, I Will buy health insurance when I travel abroad.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
It must been very scary for both of you to be so far away from home and to deal with such serious health problem..
Luckily you knew the French language and were able to explain your DH conditions and understand what it was said about his problem.
After reading your plights, from now on, I Will buy health insurance when I travel abroad.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Oct 31st, 2005, 01:26 PM
#33
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DeborahAnn: To answer your question about what information we had with us. We just brought our insurance cards with the phone numbers. We had called pre-trip to see what was involved if we got sick in Europe.
Aside from getting an extra policy (I don't remember the cost, but we felt we didn't need it since we were both basically healthy), the only thing we needed to do was save our bills and submit them upon return.
We did talk to our insurance company while in France and they were very helpful and assured us there would be no problem with reimbursement. Since my husband works for a major health care management company (not insurance) the health care provided by them has always been excellent. We don't anticipate any problems with reimbursement.
However, a few years ago, we had BCBS and we took a trip to England. We brought our three kids with us and we, like you, made sure to locate an appropriate hospital/doctor in case of medical emergency. We never had to use it, but we did our research. I think you'll be just fine with BCBS.
If you don't want to buy an additional health policy, make sure you have a few thousand dollars available on your credit cards to use until you can be reimbursed, if the need arises, as we did. Since we felt quite confident that in the event of illness our insurance would reimburse us quickly we felt no need to carry extra insurance.
Good luck, and most of all, don't worry - you seem well prepared. Enjoy your trip. I'm sure you'll be fine!
Aside from getting an extra policy (I don't remember the cost, but we felt we didn't need it since we were both basically healthy), the only thing we needed to do was save our bills and submit them upon return.
We did talk to our insurance company while in France and they were very helpful and assured us there would be no problem with reimbursement. Since my husband works for a major health care management company (not insurance) the health care provided by them has always been excellent. We don't anticipate any problems with reimbursement.
However, a few years ago, we had BCBS and we took a trip to England. We brought our three kids with us and we, like you, made sure to locate an appropriate hospital/doctor in case of medical emergency. We never had to use it, but we did our research. I think you'll be just fine with BCBS.
If you don't want to buy an additional health policy, make sure you have a few thousand dollars available on your credit cards to use until you can be reimbursed, if the need arises, as we did. Since we felt quite confident that in the event of illness our insurance would reimburse us quickly we felt no need to carry extra insurance.
Good luck, and most of all, don't worry - you seem well prepared. Enjoy your trip. I'm sure you'll be fine!
You have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Oct 31st, 2005, 03:14 PM
#36
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Oh, aggiemom, what an ordeal! Best wishes of speedy recovery to you both, as you both felt the stress.
At any age everybody must have health insurance. My absolutely healthy 19-year-old ended up in a German hospital. He paid out of pocket, and we got reimbursed later.
Too bad those clots don't give any warning! Once I came home with ankle swelling - the first thing was to see a doctor!
Thank you for posting! Where to next
At any age everybody must have health insurance. My absolutely healthy 19-year-old ended up in a German hospital. He paid out of pocket, and we got reimbursed later.
Too bad those clots don't give any warning! Once I came home with ankle swelling - the first thing was to see a doctor!
Thank you for posting! Where to next
Oct 31st, 2005, 07:33 PM
#39
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Aggiemom, I'm sorry to hear of the troubles you endured. Here's hoping that your husband recovers speedily, that you bounce back quickly from being overstressed, and that your next trip is twice as good as usual, to compensate for this one.
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
Oct 31st, 2005, 08:18 PM
#40
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Hello aggiemom, I just read your thread and I just wanted to say that I am so very sorry for the health problem that you and your husband went through. What a terrible scare for both of you and certainly a dissapointment.
My late husband had a fall once and ended up with a blood clot. I sure understand how frightening that is. And we were in our own hometown. I can't even imagine what you two went through! I would have been so nervous about flying home also.
My best wishes to both of you and I truly hope that later you two can take a trip and have a late 20th wedding anniversary celebration. Take good care.
My late husband had a fall once and ended up with a blood clot. I sure understand how frightening that is. And we were in our own hometown. I can't even imagine what you two went through! I would have been so nervous about flying home also.
My best wishes to both of you and I truly hope that later you two can take a trip and have a late 20th wedding anniversary celebration. Take good care.
