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Cruise post M.I.?


mellowrose
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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??

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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

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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

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

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!:classic_biggrin:)

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  • 2 weeks later...

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 by iancal
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  • 3 months later...
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 by sail7seas
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