"Sick" Child

[sap1227]

My 14 month old son just spent a few days in ICU due to a seizure. The medicine they were pumping into him would not stop the seizure and he had to be airlifted to a larger hospital. My question is this: Has anyone cruised with a child that suffers from a "condition" (I don't know what to call it!!) that may require quick medical attention. We loved our 3 day cruise in January and are now looking to plan a 7 day, but we are scared! We have antiseizure medicine that we carry in the diaper bag, but we are afraid it may not work since we will have no where near as much as the ER had. I know this could happen at anytime to anyone, but now we are weary of going anywhere far from a hospital. Thanks for any advice!!
Christy

My son is doing GREAT now, you would never know anything was wrong. They think it was a complicated febrile seizure from an ear infection (he seized for over an hour and a half--over an hour in the ER).

 

[floridaminnie]

I would also be very weary especially with a child so young. If I were in your shoes, I would wait awhile before going so far from the US. I'll send some Pixie dust your way!

 

[sjm]

I think the only one who can tell you if it is safe to travel, is your doctor. If he/she feels it is safe to travel, I would then call Disney and talk to their medical staff. I would also be sure to buy travel insurance, if you do cruise.

sue

 

[>>^..^<<]

Be careful with the insurance.... I was a travel agent for 10 years and saw so many families rejected claims because of "pre-existing conditions"

(ie) they won't cover you because you knew about the problem prior to travelling....

I have a real distaste for insurance companies who happily collect premiums then try to weasel out of everything possible.

>>^..^<<

 

[ZebraStripes]

sap1227 - My DD8 was born with hydrocephalus and requires an implantable medical devise (aka - a shunt). She has had seizures after surgery, so I know what you've been through. We know that at any time the shunt could fail and she would require immediate medical attention at a fairly large pediatic type hospital. We have traveled since she was an infant (mostly to Florida). A doctor who had been around quite some years said to me one day before a schedule vacation "you can't stop living". With that advice, we travel. We take with us the necessary documentation in case we ever needed a doctor unfamiliar with my daughters history. We take out the insurance, though now, I think I will read it a little closer looking at the fine print about pre-existing conditions. While this advice may not work for everyone, it is what we decided to follow. We have been fortunate that she has never needed medical attention while we have been traveling.

 

[sjm]

In my post above, I should of said to take Travel Insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. In fact I would call, or have my TA call the insurance co. to make sure your particular situation is covered. You need to purchase the insurance within 5 to 10 days of your deposit, it varies from company to company. I always buy my insurance at the time of deposit.

sue

 

[Asheryl]

Hi
Just wondering if Disney insurance covers pre-existing conditions if the insurance is bought in the proper time frame.
Thanks

 

[nuke]

The one insurance company that I know covers pre-exsisting conditions is Access America. You must buy the insurance within 14 days of making your initial deposit for your trip in order to have this apply.

 

[sjm]

Most travel insurance companies will cover pre existing conditions if you book within the appropriate times. We have used several different insurance companies, based on what our TA thought was the best at the time. I am sure Disney insurance would cover pre exising conditions, if bought within the right time frame, IME most cruise line insurance does have this coverage.

sue

 

[luv2boys]

My 7 yo son has a brain tumor that is stable right now. The only "complication" right now is that he has lost his endocrine system so he has adrenal insufficiency. If he gets sick, his body cannot physicaly handle it because he doesn't release "adrenaline" to help the body cope. Our doctor gave us the okay and when I made the reservations, Disney asked the doctor to fill out some forms so that they would have the necessary medicines on board while he is there. I am a little scared that he might get sick (the worst thing being vomiting) but going to try not to think about it constantly during the cruise. We leave on July 5, 2003.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Before purchasing travel health insurance, check with your regular health plan. In many states, insurance companies or HMOs are required to cover emergency service provided out of area.

 

[somall]

Sorry about your son's seizure. You mentioned he had a complicated febrile seizure. As such he is unlikely to seize again unless he has a fever because he apparently does not have a structural lesion that caused the seizure. Fever lowers the threshold for seizures. DCL has an excellent medical facility on board that would be able to handle the emergency your family endured. They have Intensive Care equipment and medications and their physicians all have training in treating the most critically ill patient. In addition, they are able to arrange airlift to a hospital for critically ill passengers/patients if neccessary.

Take the cruise, enjoy the magic and pack Tylenol!

 

[Michelle]

CSA also provides coverage for pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased within a set time of paying the deposit (I think it is 7 or 14 days).

There are exclusions for pre-existing conditions with DCL's policy; I would urge you to look at it closely before deciding on which policy is best.

 

[DopeyRN]

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would want him to be older, have more time to see how he reacts to illness/fever in the future. He may never have a seizure again. Or he might. I would NOT want to find myself in an emergency situation where all I have available is a ship doctor or in another, less developed country's hospital. There are plenty of wonderful places to visit in the US...Walt Disney World comes to mind. I am suree he would have a wonderful time there!

 

[sap1227]

Thank you everyone for your advice. We probably will wait a litlle while before we take our next cruise. I would like for him to be able to tell us if he is feeling bad, so we have awhile to go. Thanks again for all of thoughts!
Christy