Medical emergency while on vacation??

[TheMorgans]

I work as an ER nurse. At my hospital (and all others that I am familiar with), we will NOT take responsibility for minor minor children. If a family member cannot be at the facility promptly to take the children the police & Department of Children and Family Services are contacted and the children are taken into protective custody and placed in emergency foster care. We just recently had this situation where a single mom was traveling with small children and had to have emergency surgery. The closest relative was 8 hours away. (BTW - it was Friday evening over a holiday weekend.) The family was NOT able to regain custody of the children until Tuesday morning until the case went before a judge to reverse custody.

I could not imagine my kids in emergency foster care for 4 days!!! The trauma would be unimaginable. I wish you all the best.

 

[momto2inKC]

here even with a boot u cant drive i know this because i had surgey 8 weeks ago and could not drive with my boot on (well was not even allowed to walk without the boot)

I don't think the laws in the US are the same. I tried searching and found no definitive law against it in my state or Florida. I'm not saying there isn't one, but I didn't find anything.

 

[deegack]

I just want to make the point that 99.99% of foster families are loving, caring families. Children placed with them will be treated well, fed, care for etc. Would it completely stink for everyone involved, of course, but there will probably be no long lasting trauma due to an overnight or couple days in a foster family.

 

[lilaurora]

I work as an ER nurse. At my hospital (and all others that I am familiar with), we will NOT take responsibility for minor minor children. If a family member cannot be at the facility promptly to take the children the police & Department of Children and Family Services are contacted and the children are taken into protective custody and placed in emergency foster care. We just recently had this situation where a single mom was traveling with small children and had to have emergency surgery. The closest relative was 8 hours away. (BTW - it was Friday evening over a holiday weekend.) The family was NOT able to regain custody of the children until Tuesday morning until the case went before a judge to reverse custody.

I could not imagine my kids in emergency foster care for 4 days!!! The trauma would be unimaginable. I wish you all the best.

The thought of this alone would make me not EVER travel alone with my DD. Unfortunate things happen from time to time. I really feel for single parents who don't have another choice other than never travel away from home. Do you think this could vary from region to region? Maybe it is a little different in a place like the Orlando area where there would be a higher amount of single parents traveling with children due to it being such a popular tourist destination?

Has anyone out there actually experienced such an emergency as the only parent/adult traveling with children at WDW (I would even take Universal )?

 

[lilaurora]

I don't think the laws in the US are the same. I tried searching and found no definitive law against it in my state or Florida. I'm not saying there isn't one, but I didn't find anything.

I don't know about a broken foot, but my husband had knee surgery a few years ago on his left knee. He had to wear a brace for a while but there were no restrictions on his being able to drive. I imagine it would have been different if it had been his right knee, though.

 

[disney_girl125]

I'm traveling alone with my 3 kids in a couple of weeks. This post slightly worries me..lol. I'm healthy as far as I know, but you never know when something could come up. I know it would take some time for someone to come down and get my kids. I sure wouldn't want them in foster care for days!!! That's crazy that a judge had to be the one to release the kids back to their family. Ridiculous because of the circumstances.

 

[lilaurora]

I'm traveling alone with my 3 kids in a couple of weeks. This post slightly worries me..lol. I'm healthy as far as I know, but you never know when something could come up. I know it would take some time for someone to come down and get my kids. I sure wouldn't want them in foster care for days!!! That's crazy that a judge had to be the one to release the kids back to their family. Ridiculous because of the circumstances.

I'll be in the same boat with people being far away. My DH and my family will all be in WI and all my in-laws live in VT/NH. I am thinking about calling some good friends in NC and asking if they would mind being an emergency contact. They are not super close, but they could hop in the car and be there in about 6 hours if something terrible happened.

I didn't mean to cause any worries But it is nice to hear from someone who is traveling alone with their kids, too.

 

[badblackpug]

Sorry to tell you all, but that is pretty much how it works everywhere. If you have a minor emergency (like the broken foot scenario) and you are able to care for and supervise your children throughout the visit, and you will be released, then you are fine.

If you are incapacitated or admitted to the hospital someone must come get your minor children. No hospital will accept responsibility for unattended minor children. The liability is HUGE, and frankly considering the litigious nature of the U.S. a liability that no hospital would undertake.

If you were unable to care for your child for any reason and there was no one to pick them up then protective services would be called and your child would be placed in emergency foster care.

Now, that does not mean that no-one should ever travel alone with their children. Let's face it the chance of such a thing occurring is very slim. However, ovarian torsion and appendicitis are both conditions which require emergency surgery. If it were the case that there was a possibility of either happening, I wouldn't chance it and travel far away from home with my child.

True that most foster homes are caring, but for a young child to watch their parent be whisked away into surgery, then to be taken away to an unfamiliar home in an unfamiliar area to stay with strangers would be quite traumatizing.

 

[jujube]

What kind of doctors don't put someone in the hospital if they suspect "early" appendicitis and worse say it's ok for that person to travel? An appendix can burst on a plane, train, or in a car. It doesn't wait until it's convenient. Seriously, postpone the trip or find a doctor who can give you a definitive diagnosis. I would never risk it while traveling with a child and especially a young child who is liable to be put into emergency foster care. What's more important, a Disney trip or a child who might be traumatized?

 

[Allison]

The thought of this alone would make me not EVER travel alone with my DD. Unfortunate things happen from time to time. I really feel for single parents who don't have another choice other than never travel away from home. Do you think this could vary from region to region? Maybe it is a little different in a place like the Orlando area where there would be a higher amount of single parents traveling with children due to it being such a popular tourist destination?

Has anyone out there actually experienced such an emergency as the only parent/adult traveling with children at WDW (I would even take Universal )?

I am not sure how it could be different just because it is a tourist destination. That is not going to change a hospital's obligation to do something with minor children that they are aware have no one to take care of them. The hospital is not going to take on that responsibility.

 

[MSSANDRA]

What the doctor may have meant by "early appendicitis" is that the appendix "may" be inflamed, not blocked. Appendicitis accrues when the appendix becomes blocked. Reality is MANY of us may have a inflamed appendix and have no clue about it. An inflamed appendix may become blocked and lead to appendicitis and it may never become blocked. Many doctors try to present information in more lay terns and that MAY be what he meant.

Many women also have ovarian cyst and most never become a medical emergency though of course some do.

As this thread progressed, I kept changing my opinion on what I think I would do. I already knew DSS does get involved but the holiday weekend story did create much more reservation with in to about going!

As someone stated foster homes are kind and loving......Yes I certainly know that as we have some very good friends whom are foster parents and we have been involved with the support of our local system. I also know that it still would be a very traumatic experience for ANY kid to be placed with strangers in a strange home.

I keep reading as we are at a season in our lives where DS5 and I may start to travel a little more alone. I am slightly older that your "typical" mom and have had some health issues that do put me at slightly higher risk for future problems and also have a child that has major food allergies and would TOTALLY freak over separation from me.

Does that mean we will never travel alone....no. We will calculate the risk, have a plan (really like some of the emergency plan ideas), and then choose if, when and where to travel.

Sounds like this is what the OP is trying to do. Good luck!!!!

 

[deegack]

Just to note this thread is a great example of why trip insurance that includes medical evacuation of you and a family member is vital when you travel. It doesn't cost much and if you find yourself dealing with illness right before you leave you can postpone your trip and if you are on your trip you can get home.

 

[okeydokey]

It doesn't matter if you are in a tourist town or not. If you have to have surgery, your daughter will go to Foster Care until someone can come get her. I would be getting more answers from your doctors before actually going through with this trip.

 

[lilaurora]

What the doctor may have meant by "early appendicitis" is that the appendix "may" be inflamed, not blocked. Appendicitis accrues when the appendix becomes blocked. Reality is MANY of us may have a inflamed appendix and have no clue about it. An inflamed appendix may become blocked and lead to appendicitis and it may never become blocked. Many doctors try to present information in more lay terns and that MAY be what he meant.

Many women also have ovarian cyst and most never become a medical emergency though of course some do.

I keep reading as we are at a season in our lives where DS5 and I may start to travel a little more alone. I am slightly older that your "typical" mom and have had some health issues that do put me at slightly higher risk for future problems and also have a child that has major food allergies and would TOTALLY freak over separation from me.

Does that mean we will never travel alone....no. We will calculate the risk, have a plan (really like some of the emergency plan ideas), and then choose if, when and where to travel.

Sounds like this is what the OP is trying to do. Good luck!!!!

This is exactly what is going through my mind. I think I may have inadvertently made this sound much more significant than it is. You are right, my appendix is either inflamed or it's just that large in it's natural state. At time goes on and I'm not experiencing any other symptoms, it is very unlikely that I am going to have issues with my appendix.

As for the ovarian cyst, as mentioned above, many women have them and most do not ever know they are there. The chance of complications with the cyst are also very low.

In speaking with my doctor and my husband, I feel like it's safe to travel alone with DD. My chance of experiencing an emergency is not significantly more likely than the average person. It did make me think, though, that I should have a plan in place in case something did happen (which in my opinion should have been on my mind to put together even before my recent medical developments). I love the ideas that the PP listed as doing when she travels alone with her DD. I am also going to have a close friend "on call" who can be there in just a few hours on the small chance that something should happen.

All of the responses are great! I hope that there are other parents/adults out there reading that find the opinions and information as useful as I have.

Thank you!

 

[bearloch]

I have had the cysts had the for yrs!!! traveled alone with the ore than once!! I think that she has a better chance of being run over byh a disney bus than having a promblem with her appi, or cysts! relax and enjoy your trip!!

 

[disney_girl125]

Maybe you can just tell your daughter about the situation before you leave? I mean just casually mention what will happen should an emergency arise. My kids are older, 13,12, and 8..but since this post got me thinking, I am going to mention it to my kids just so they know what would happen should there be an emergency.

 

[lilaurora]

Maybe you can just tell your daughter about the situation before you leave? I mean just casually mention what will happen should an emergency arise. My kids are older, 13,12, and 8..but since this post got me thinking, I am going to mention it to my kids just so they know what would happen should there be an emergency.

Your idea is great and I think combined with the tips a PP provided and an emergency contact who can get to us more quickly than DH can, I will have a good emergency plan in place on the off chance that something would happen.

Murphy's Law says if you have a plan, you won't need it, right?

 

[MSSANDRA]

Your idea is great and I think combined with the tips a PP provided and an emergency contact who can get to us more quickly than DH can, I will have a good emergency plan in place on the off chance that something would happen.

Murphy's Law says if you have a plan, you won't need it, right?

I would not tell a 7 year old too much. I certainly would not tell her if there was an emergency she might go into foster care till your family can get there. I would tell her that you have written up an emergency plan that you would let everyone know what to do in case either of you would get sick. I would tell her where the note is and make sure she can call her dad and maybe another adult or two if needed. Just mention it and give a quick reassurance that she would be taken care of no matter what.

 

[lilaurora]

I would not tell a 7 year old too much. I certainly would not tell her if there was an emergency she might go into foster care till your family can get there. I would tell her that you have written up an emergency plan that you would let everyone know what to do in case either of you would get sick. I would tell her where the note is and make sure she can call her dad and maybe another adult or two if needed. Just mention it and give a quick reassurance that she would be taken care of no matter what.

Definitely the fewer details the better. I think I'll just go through it with her at the same time as we discuss what happens if we are separated, etc. Just the basics. I'll keep a copy of the emergency plan in the room and in my bag with names and phone numbers and show her where they are. If something unfortunate should happen, I hope to mitigate the chances of her being separated from me by having my emergency contact there ASAP. I agree that it's enough for her to know that if I get sick, that there will be really nice people to take care of her until I feel better. My DH was really interested by a PP's idea of a prepaid phone with the important numbers programmed in.

So much to do before we leave on Thursday! Ms. Sandra, you posts have been really helpful to me - thank you!

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I think the question you should ask is how fast can DH get to you in an emergency? The example given with 4 days in foster care is extreme. You are not a single parent so DH will not have an issue getting your DD. I'm assuming he'd also be willing to get on an airplane and get to you ASAP?