And a reminder to everyone on Medicare. Medicare does not cover for medical care outside of the US. It sounds to me, from everything I have read, that MedJet is a good company. It will be interesting to see what dear wj1's final report is regarding them.

It's approaching supper time in Meaux now - - hopefully wj1 has arrived without a hitch, and the patient is having a smooth post-operative course.

Best wishes for convalescence that gwts easier with each passing day.

Rex - you are the king of compassion. Bless you for your kindness to a "stranger." And the excellent medical advice is also much appreciated.

Best wishes to wj1 and mother. I have a feeling things will work out well for you.

P.S. to Rex: No, you weren't offering "medical advice."

I didn't see this post while everything was unfolding but sure am glad Rex did....

I can bet none of us would wish to be in wj's position but isn't it wonderful that this forum was such a useful resource during a crisis?!!!!!

I really have no patience for you, jsmith, right now. It is rather upsetting that you would choose to 'stir the pot' instead of just posting helpful info or moral support. I hope you never need to rely on the kindness of strangers, but if you do, I would wish that you get useful advice.

wj--I hope your flight and your mom's surgery went smoothly and wish you mother a very speedy recovery.

Rex, please do NOT apologize for anything you did! Lots of people on here (me included) offer medical and medication advice. (Examples: what drugs to take to sleep on the plane, what anti-malarial to take, etc.) You happen to be one of the few who are actually qualified.

No one in their right mind is going to act in a serious situation based on medical advice given on an internet forum. What you offered did cause wj1 to rethink the situation and get more information -- who can argue that is anything but a positive result?

Ugh -- "one of the few who IS actually qualified." Sorry.

Splendid Rex... absolutely splendid.
Heroic is a fitting term. Patrick? Good man!

Nice people on this board... sigh

I so hope that wj1 writes back regarding this...

My hopes and prayers as well.

In response to this comment posted by Marilyn: <<Lots of people on here (me included) offer medical and medication advice. (Examples: what drugs to take to sleep on the plane, what anti-malarial to take, etc.) You happen to be one of the few who are actually qualified.>>

Marilyn, I think the problem is that because he IS qualified, any physician would probably NOT want it to appear that he's casually giving "medical advice" to unseen strangers on an internet travel board. (The same would be true for lawyers.)

I guess that's true, cmt. I didn't think of it that way. Ironic, eh?

No physician (or none that you would want to listen to) will give specific medical advice to a specific individual, without some kind of first hand evaluation (history, examnation or other diagnostic testing).

It's even thin ice for me to say &quot;these are worthwhile subjects for you (as a <i>family member</i to want to discuss with the patient's physician&quot; - - since I am not engaged in the medical care of adults in any way.

So, my suggestions were actually offered in the context of how I would think through the process, if it were a parent in my own family.

As is the case (and not so infrequently), I was trying to acknowledge that for some families... the risks and benefits of plan &quot;A&quot; are considerable - - and the risks and benefits of plan &quot;B&quot; are considerable, even if different... and frequently, the patient is going to get good care in any of a number of settings, and the outcome is moderately unpredictable with either plan A or B...

...therefore, it may be entirely reasonable to make a decision, based on what is best for both the patient <i><b>and</b></i> a <i>whole boatload</i> of relevant loved ones.

I hope it won't seem gratuitous to top this again, but I am hoping we hear some good news from wj1...

Hoping that no news is good news...

Hi Rex, me too! I would imagine that wj1 has not been able to post here but like everyone else I sure hope all is going well for her and her mother. Best wishes wj1 if you see this. And best wishes to you also dear Rex.

I was hoping for an update too...wj, if you see this, please send us a quick message. Hope all is well.

Me, four! I hope that all is going well and wj1 will sign on when possible to give us an update. What a difficult time she must be going through.

I just came across this post and I am so totally blown away by Rex. What a great thing for you to have done, Rex, for a total stranger. You rock! To wji- I hope things have worked out ok.

Here's hoping that wj1's mom is receiving standard of care in Paris hospital. This brings back many sad memories of my father's massive stroke, suffered in Heidelberg in 1990, and his subsequent total lack of treatment in a German hospital and our insurance company's threat to cancel Dad's medical insurance if he was flown back to the states on a Lear that had to be refueled (cabin compression issues). Lufthansa's consultant doc then cancelled our purchase of nearly the entire first class cabin on a direct flight from Ffort to Atlanta. My dad was stuck, remained in a coma for 3 weeks with no treatment save TPA and being turned every 2 hours. Once back in the States (through the good graces of Bush senior, on a military hospital plane), he never recovered his ability to speak or walk. Count me as NOT a fan of European hospitals---yes, based on that single, catastrophic experience.

Obviously, wj1's mom's case is different, but in the same circumstances I would move heaven and earth to go to Paris and then stay in contact with my own orthopedist stateside.

kswl, how awful for you and your family!! I'm so sorry you all had to go through that.

I too hope to hear from wj1 soon.

Reading this for the first time and sending best wishes and prayers to wj1 and her Mom and family.

To you Rex, you are an O