mellowrose Posted August 7, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hi Everyone, need some advice. DH and I have a dilemma. We have a booked cruise to Alaska that is due to leave in 2 weeks. Six days ago he had a heart attack and had a stent in the one vessel involved. Came home the next day and feels fine. Sooo, he wants to go on the cruise. We can use our insurance to be reimbursed partially or apply for more insurance but its not about the money either way. He wants to go, is this denial or should we consider going as he says well I can exercise the same as I can here...minimal at this point....and watch what we eat carefully. It sounds reasonable, does it?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGal999 Posted August 7, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Please let me be the first to tell you to get complete 100% clearance, in writing from his DOCTOR. Do not ask strangers on a website what their 'opinions' are. Just fyi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted August 7, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hi Everyone, need some advice. DH and I have a dilemma. We have a booked cruise to Alaska that is due to leave in 2 weeks. Six days ago he had a heart attack and had a stent in the one vessel involved. Came home the next day and feels fine. Sooo, he wants to go on the cruise. We can use our insurance to be reimbursed partially or apply for more insurance but its not about the money either way. He wants to go, is this denial or should we consider going as he says well I can exercise the same as I can here...minimal at this point....and watch what we eat carefully. It sounds reasonable, does it?? What does his PHYSICIAN say about this trip at this time? GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellowrose Posted August 7, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted August 7, 2018 His family doctor says that is fine as long as he is feeling ok. She just suggested checking the insurance well for coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted August 7, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 7, 2018 His family doctor says that is fine as long as he is feeling ok. She just suggested checking the insurance well for coverage. Is this the physician who treated him and placed the stent? GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellowrose Posted August 7, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted August 7, 2018 No its the family doctor actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted August 7, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 7, 2018 No its the family doctor actually. That's what it sounded like. Why are you not asking the specialist who is *most* familiar with the specific medical condition/prognosis? And if you have travel insurance that would be in force despite this medical event, you might want to have the specialist write a short note that "<name> is cleared for travel on a cruise on <dates>". That way, IF there is any medical problem at all, the insurance won't have much luck trying to claim that he shouldn't have traveled due to this recent event. (We got a letter like that after DH was recovered from a longer term but much less serious medical problem just in case...) GC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellowrose Posted August 8, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Ok so DH is not going, as after much research there is no Insurance Company that will cover hime. Thanks for all you input though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myra711 Posted August 9, 2018 #9 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Just wishing you and your husband good health and a wonderful trip sometime in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellowrose Posted August 13, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Thanks Myra711. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalspin Posted September 15, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 15, 2018 Surgeons who place stents do not cover the patient once discharged from hospital; the board-certified family physician IS the one to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Golfer Posted September 15, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 15, 2018 I know I will take some heat for this. I feel that if it's your turn to go it's going to happen no matter where you are. I would go, enjoy life while you can. I would rather buy the farm doing something fun. Best of health to you both... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort&fran Posted October 24, 2018 #13 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Sorry that I am entering this discussion after the fact. I had an MI (on a cruise ship no less) in January 2014. We next planned a cruise for summer 2015 but had to cancel at the last minute - because my wife needed surgery. (Successful, thankfully) We've been on 3 cruises since, and I've re-entered CC because we're planning another. I had no problem getting travel insurance for any of the cruises, with the pre-existing condition exclusion waived (obviously, because I purchased within 14 days of making our initial deposit). Bottom line, IMO - Once you have a heart attack you have periodic visits with a cardiologist. When your cardiologist says it's OK, go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 26, 2018 #14 Share Posted October 26, 2018 If his DOCTOR clears him to travel..have at it! Make sure HE feels safe going....we had a cruise planned, and hubby had to get a pacemaker. Doctor said he was fine and dandy....hubby felt ok, but he was worried the entire trip. So, if hubby is "up to it" and Doctor says it's ok...go. If hubby has reservations about his health....you will have another vacation another time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted October 27, 2018 #15 Share Posted October 27, 2018 4 hours ago, cb at sea said: If his DOCTOR clears him to travel..have at it! Make sure HE feels safe going....we had a cruise planned, and hubby had to get a pacemaker. Doctor said he was fine and dandy....hubby felt ok, but he was worried the entire trip. So, if hubby is "up to it" and Doctor says it's ok...go. If hubby has reservations about his health....you will have another vacation another time. The OP is a fellow Canadian, so the issue is not with getting a doctor's OK to travel, it is finding a travel insurance company that will accept the risk, at a reasonable cost. Very few Canadians will visit the US without medical insurance. I believe the OP responded they cancelled due to inability to get insurance, nothing to do with doctor's advice or how they felt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort&fran Posted October 28, 2018 #16 Share Posted October 28, 2018 On 10/26/2018 at 11:18 PM, Heidi13 said: The OP is a fellow Canadian, so the issue is not with getting a doctor's OK to travel, it is finding a travel insurance company that will accept the risk, at a reasonable cost. Very few Canadians will visit the US without medical insurance. I believe the OP responded they cancelled due to inability to get insurance, nothing to do with doctor's advice or how they felt. OP's situation was a heart attack ca. 3 weeks prior to departure. I'm not sure what she meant when she said their insurance would partially reimburse any medical cost*. Travelguard covered my costs in full. (I had to jump through hoops, but I read everything so there were no surprises. Plus I purchased the insurance within the requisite timeframe.) *My heart attack and subsequent surgery were in Argentina, at a cost significantly less than what would have been the case in the US. I obviously did not know that I would have a heart attach; the limit I selected was not the highest option offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyStar Posted October 28, 2018 #17 Share Posted October 28, 2018 On 8/6/2018 at 6:43 PM, mellowrose said: Hi Everyone, need some advice. DH and I have a dilemma. We have a booked cruise to Alaska that is due to leave in 2 weeks. Six days ago he had a heart attack and had a stent in the one vessel involved. Came home the next day and feels fine. Sooo, he wants to go on the cruise. We can use our insurance to be reimbursed partially or apply for more insurance but its not about the money either way. He wants to go, is this denial or should we consider going as he says well I can exercise the same as I can here...minimal at this point....and watch what we eat carefully. It sounds reasonable, does it?? I tell you, even if the doctor gave his OK, I could imagine having the misgivings you might have. If this happened to my husband, I'd be scared to death. I can imagine myself wanting to put him in a soft cocoon to keep him safe. But as much as it might be a weight on your mind, I'd let hubby and doctor decide if he can go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torpeedo Posted November 9, 2018 #18 Share Posted November 9, 2018 Not saying this regarding the OP's case since there's been no recovery period, but many many people lead perfectly normal lives with a stent. I know a lot of people who cruise and have had a stent. So cruise on! ( once your MD clears you!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted November 21, 2018 #19 Share Posted November 21, 2018 (edited) Asking for medical, legal, marriage, or financial advice on public forums is really not such a good idea. As I said to my daughter when she was facing choices on a serious medical issue....forgot all the second, third, and fourth hand advice. Go with the advice and direction of your medical team. If you do not have confidence in them, then go for a second medical opinion and ignore the advice of people who know nothing about the specifics of your condition or situation. Edited November 21, 2018 by iancal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted February 22, 2019 #20 Share Posted February 22, 2019 (edited) On 8/6/2018 at 8:43 PM, mellowrose said: Hi Everyone, need some advice. DH and I have a dilemma. We have a booked cruise to Alaska that is due to leave in 2 weeks. Six days ago he had a heart attack and had a stent in the one vessel involved. Came home the next day and feels fine. Sooo, he wants to go on the cruise. We can use our insurance to be reimbursed partially or apply for more insurance but its not about the money either way. He wants to go, is this denial or should we consider going as he says well I can exercise the same as I can here...minimal at this point....and watch what we eat carefully. It sounds reasonable, does it?? On 11/21/2018 at 1:07 PM, iancal said: Asking for medical, legal, marriage, or financial advice on public forums is really not such a good idea. As I said to my daughter when she was facing choices on a serious medical issue....forgot all the second, third, and fourth hand advice. Go with the advice and direction of your medical team. If you do not have confidence in them, then go for a second medical opinion and ignore the advice of people who know nothing about the specifics of your condition or situation. I cruised about 3 weeks after my heart attack and open chest - pass surgery. I went only with my surgeon and cardios' approval. ASK your DH's doctors. WE don't know you or your DH so we cannot suggest if he should go or not. While I was tired from time to time and rested often but did just fine. I was happy we kept the booking and w ent. Walking is so beneficial for recovery; we walked alot and it was very good. Best wishes Edited February 22, 2019 by sail7seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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