Help!!

[NornIron]

This coming weekend was supposed to be the culmination of 2 years hard saving and we were looking forward to 2 weeks in Orlando. We were due to fly out on the 1st July, everything is bought and paid for, final preparations for the trip well underway, then disaster stuck. My wife complained of a pain when she took a deep breath, not one to complain unnecessarily, i took her up to the hospital as a precaution, she phoned an hour later to tell me to bring up her things as she was being admitted with a collapsed lung.
I knew instantly that this meant no air travel, my wife on the other hand was optimistic that she would be allowed to fly, it was confirmed this morning that she cannot fly for 12 weeks.

I dont know what to do now as regards to claiming of my travel insurance, as it nor my tickets have arrived yet, there are due to be here by Tuesday.
Has anyone else ever had to pospone a holiday? If so any advice for me?

 

[carolfoy]

Hi, Sorry to hear of your news claiming will be fairly easy, speak to the holiday company - did you book a package or independant components? either way there are two scenarios, a package company may let you transfer the whole booking until a later date, but you would have to specify that date so may not be practical until you know how your wife will be, or more commonly you will have to claim everything back on insurance and just keep the money by until you know how here health is doing, you will almost certainly need a covering letter from her doc stating she's not fit to fly and original documents showing how much you've spent on each part of your hol. (check the excess you will have to pay against medical claims) and keep copies of all documentation before sending it all off to your insurance company with a letter, should be fairly straight forward as you didn't know she was ill.
hope it all sorts out for you.

 

[LoopyLoo]

Sorry to hear your news.
Luckily we have never had to cancel our holiday. but i would say the first thing is to contact your travel insurance company, and they will advise you on the necessay.
I hope your wife makes a quick recovery, and that you will soon be able to have your holiday.

Linda

 

[gilld]

I had to cancel a holiday to the Far East last September, the day before we were due to travel - I had severe Sciatica. You need to cancel your holiday with your tour operator and get a cancellation notice from them. You also need to contact your insurance company and get them to send a claims form.

We sent all the relevant documents in, including a Dr's letter and received a cheque within a week.

Don't rush to book another flight as people who are susceptible to Spontaneous Pneumothorax (collapsed lung for no reason) can get this repeatedly - particularly when flying. Give her lung time to recover and perhaps try a short haul flight first.

Good luck and I hope she 's soon much improved.

 

[natalielongstaff]

i am sorry your wife is poorly, i hope she gets better soon

 

[maleficent_man]

Sorry to hear that - sending best wishes.

 

[Ware Bears]

So sorry to hear your news. Lots of for you and your wife. Hope she is fully recovered soon.

 

[angel659]

Hiya

Sorry to hear about your wife. It must be a shock and dissapointment.

I work in a hospital and unfortunately we do see this occassionally. I would speak to your insurance company and find out what they require. I would speak to the hospital and find out exactly when they feel she will be able to fly.

Collpased lungs are treated and yes you can not fly for 12 weeks otherwise this could cause the same problems again. Also she will be more prone to DVT. Before you re-book your holiday I would speak to the consultant and they will be more than happy to discuss any health problems. As people have mentioned you can either book straight away or wait until 12 weeks and see how your wife is and get a health check prior to booking.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide.

 

[NornIron]

thanx guys for all the support

I have been in contact with the travel agents and they were most helpfull, we are hoping to go to Florida at Halloween, but this is dependant upon the doctors giving us the all clear. My wife was discharged from hospital yesterday luckly she didnt need to have a chest drain inserted, and has been told to take it easy for the next 4/8 weeks, she is a very energitic person and is finding it difficult to stay cooked up in the house all day!!!. I am a firm beliver that these things happen for a reason, and can only be greatfull that it happened over here, close to a hospital, rather than at 38,000 feet over the mid-atlantic.

 

[kristieuk]

Hi. Fortunately, this hasn't ever happened to me, but I'm sure that the insurance company will make things as easy as possible for you, it certainly seems like a clear cut case. I really hope you manage to sort this out quickly and easily and more importantly, your wife makes a really fast recovery to full health - at which point you can start to plan again.

Good luck. Lots of people are thinking about you and wishing you both well .

 

[Muppet]

I hope she makes a speedy recovery and you'll off to Orlando soon.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hope your wife is better soon

Halloween is a great time to go to WDW Stick around and re-plan with us.

 

[rhysd2]

be sure to check out halloween horror nights at universal if you go during that period

 

[Clare D]

Sending you all big
Hope that your wife is back to full fitness soon and that you get to go on your holiday in the next few months

 

[Miffy2003]

Oh I do hope your wife is better soon. What a blow.

If it's any consolation, popular opinion is that October is a far better time to visit Florida than July!

 

[wicket2005]

So sorry to hear of your wife's illness and feel for you in your disappointment. I hope your wife makes a speedy recovery, and what better aid for recovery than a chance to go to Orlando.

 

[Night-train]

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery mate! We were over in April and by all accounts it is comparable to October weather-wise, temps in 80's, little or no rain and low humidity. Made for a very enjoyable holiday as no-one was stressed out with the heat for a start! Hopefully you'll get to go then. Welcome to the DIS as well, good to see another one from the home sod!!

 

[Hilary]

Glad to hear your wife is out of hospital, and here's hoping she makes a full recovery very soon.

October is a fantastic time to visit Florida, but I'm sure whenever you get there it will be worth the wait to have your wife fully fit and able to enjoy her holiday