Bokhara2

At the peak of pre & post Christmas high season, I'm hoping someone may be able to assist with recommendations, please.

My friend has mesothelioma and has been accepted for treatment by Prof Vogl & Dr Jacob at the Hallwangen Private Oncology Clinic. Travelling from Australia in the next week or two, (we are waiting on exact date confirmations from the clinic as I write), she and her husband anticipate being in Frankfurt for 3 months, perhaps a little longer.

They are looking for a 2BR apartment/flat, or similar. Budget is a consideration of course, but of more immediate concern is being able to get something suitable and available within the next 10-14 days. My friend can walk short distances, a couple of steps is fine, but flights of stairs would not be possible.

Understandably, many properties are booked out over the Christmas/New Year period - and others are not practical as she needs to be able to travel to & from the Clinic in all weather, so needs to be in an area where snow/ice is removed from the roads.

Ideally, they would prefer to have as few changes of accommodation as possible, but we understand the challenge of finding something now for such an extended period, and at peak season; so if you know of something that may suit for part of the period, please don't hesitate to suggest it.

If there were a hotel close to the Clinic that accommodate them for the early part or over Christmas/New Year, it would be wonderful, but at the moment, we haven't been able to find any vacancies.

Thank you very much. We will be most grateful for any help, hints you may be able to give.

Bokhara2

Sorry - should have added: This is the Clinic - it's a couple of hours drive from Frankfurt, but as my friends are flying in & out of there (and not knowing the region), I've used that as a starting point.

http://www.hallwang-clinic.com/

It's in Dornstetten - Hallwangen

Thank you.

Mainhattengirl

You really need to be looking for a place closer to the clinic. Staying in Frankfurt, which is over 2 hours away, does not make any sense at all.

I would contact the clinic as they are sure to have suggestions for short term apt. rentals, as you are probably not the first person to have needed something like this.

Bokhara2

Yes, thanks very much. They can stay at the clinic during my friend's treatments - but she needs 3 at monthly intervals, hence the need for other accommodation between treatments.

As you say, Frankfurt is a little far away. We only got the go-ahead yesterday and as I don't know the region at all, used Frankfurt as a starting point, as that's their entry & departure point & seemed to be the largest centre. Am now armed with a map!

lavandula

I too had to look at Google Maps and found Hallwangen is near Freudenstadt, which I had heard of before. It bills itself as a spa town so has plenty of accommodation. My first choice would be to see what sort of accommodation is recommended by the clinic, but as a backup contact the tourist information in Freudenstadt directly and see what properties they recommend.

http://www.ferien-in-freudenstadt.de/gb.html (I've got the English up for you here)

Tourist information centres would definitely have your friend's best interests at heart, and sometimes they can suggest rooms in people's houses if nothing else is available, or put you on to people closer to Hallwangen. It might be a tall order to get somewhere without stairs. Frankfurt is too far away. All the best to your friend, Bokhara!

Lavandula

lavandula

Just another thought - if they will be there longer than 3 months, they need to get visas if they are Australian. I am sure the consulate can do a rush job in situations such as this one.

Lavandula

Bokhara2

Thanks Lavandula,
Good tip about the Visas. They both have EU and Australian passports, but I'll double check.

We're on a 90degree learning curve, driving blindfolded at 300km/hour, so every little hint/tip helps.

If you've ever been in this situation, you'll know. If you haven't, be grateful & hope you never have to find out.

We're contacting a couple of places in Freudenstadt - fingers crossed.

quokka

With citizenship of an EU state they do not need to worry about visas.

lavandula

Bokhara, if your friend ever wants anything translated, I sometimes do translations for people (not my main line of work but I am accredited and have a NAATI stamp if needed). In the past I have translated documents such as letters to Australian doctors for cancer patients who've had treatment in Germany, absolutely fundamental when treatment has to continue with Australian medical services. Germany is not an uncommon place for Australians to seek medical treatment for cancer. My email is fv43996 at gmail dot com if you want to drop me a line privately, if you think you'll need help. I don't mind doing a couple of small things at no cost to her.

Lavandula

Bokhara2

Thank you SO much, Lavandula. That is very kind of you - and may just come in handy.

I'll drop you a line.

Bokhara2

Lavandula - you have mail. Thanks a million.

Bokhara2

Thank you so much everyone. We've been overwhelmed by your kindness and wonderfully helpful links.

Miraculously, my friends have been able to secure an apartment just a few minutes' walk from the Clinic.

We had such a narrow window of opportunity, yet despite my stupidity in not having a map to hand, knowledge of the area & transit times, you came through for us.

I would be remiss indeed if I didn't take the opportunity of making a special mention and extending our heartfelt gratitude to Lavandula, whose offer to translate medical reports will be a godsend.

Thank you one and all. We could not have done it without you - and friends of friends around the world.

Herzlichen Dank! ich bin Ihnen sehr dankbar dafur.

With apologies for my very rusty German - zu viel jahre seit schule! And no umlaut on my keyboard

AshSingh

Hi Bokhara2,
its just a coincidence i was just researching accomodatoin in Hallwangen when i came accross this forum.

My mother too has cnacer and she too is contemplating going to the clinic in Hallwangen. We too live in Australia (Sydney).

How did your friends treatments go? Is she any better now?

There are many questions that i wnat to ask but for now am glad that we have found some one that has already been there.

Is it ok if i continue to keep in contact with you? It will be invaluable to keep getting info from you in order to make our decission whether or not to go.

Did they get the appartment from contacting the clinic?

Ash

Bokhara2

Hi Ash,
Regrettably, my friend's mesothelioma was too aggressive to achieve anything but short term benefit. She died in January.

However, we were very pleased with the Clinic and you couldn't find a more dedicated team of Doctors & Nurses.

She & her husband ended up staying in the Clinic. It became apparent very soon after her their arrival that she was not well enough to stay outside the clinic. And it was much more practical for the various treatments she had to be "in house". Fortunately, at the time, the Clinic had a large room that was available for them.

It was a very pleasant room, windows on 3 sides and a small balcony.

If I were your Mother, I wouldn't base my decision on whether to go or not on our experience. No two cancers, people or circumstances are the same.

Mesothelioma is a hydra-headed monster and my friend's was Grade 4, inoperable & incurable when she was diagnosed. Her goal was to gain some pain relief and quality of life and perhaps some more time.

We knew the ultimate outcome would not change.


We were overwhelmed by the warmth & helpfulness of the people we met; most of whom had no idea the circumstance of our stay.

My friend's sister, other members of the family & I stayed just out of Freudenstadt, about 8kms from the Clinic. Transport between Freudenstadt, which is a very nice town, and the Clinic is very good - about E10 in a cab and free to Konos card holders by bus.

The Konos Card is a Black Forest initiative giving free bus & train travel to visitors within the region. We were given ours by our hotel. http://www.blackforest-tourism.com/konus

My friend's decision to go was the right one for her. Unfortunately, things didn't go our way, but she was able to have treatments there that are not available here.

Best wishes to you & your Mother.

AshSingh

Hi 'Bokhara'

thanks for the reply i really appreciate it.

You mentioned before that your friend's had managed to get an appartment within a few minutes walk from the clinic. Do you know the name and details of this place?

It would be perfect for my mother and father as she is still able to get up and about and they are strict vegetarians so would prefer an appartment of their own.

If you dont mind i will give you my email and you can mail me details. I would like to talk to you over the phone if possible as well. My email is [email protected].

Thanks
Ash

Bokhara2

You have mail, Ash. And you may wish to remove your personal email from here - it's a spammer's magnet.