I’m one of those people who have a chronic disease but never goes to the doctor. I see my GP once a year for a physical and maybe once or twice a year when we’re changing my meds, but other than that I’m a healthy woman. I’ve never had surgery, only been in the hospital to birth two beautiful boys, and with the exception of a broken pinky and thumb (not at the same time) I’ve never broken or torn anything. That is until about 15 days ago when I went on vacation to Hawaii.
Emergency Medical Care Away from Home: Injury
On day 4 of our 6-day trip, I fell while trying to get to one of Kona’s most beautiful beaches. While I wanted to go ahead and spend the day looking out at the sea, my husband insisted on taking me directly to an Urgent Care facility. Since I couldn’t use my hands because of the fall, and he’s computer illiterate, we stopped at the local police station to ask for assistance. They pointed us to the closest Urgent Care location and within minutes we were there.
Unfortunately, the doctor had left and wasn’t expected back for several hours, so we headed to the local emergency room. It’s only the third time I’ve ever been to one. The first was in my early 20’s for a middle-of-the-night bladder infection, the second time in Anaheim when my broken finger started swelling up inside the cast, so it had to be cut open (not off, because they didn’t have anyone to reset it, so they cut away all of the parts of the cast that weren’t necessary with a VERY dull blade), and now this.
After x-rays, they found I’d torn the ligament that held my shoulder to my collar bone, but everything else was superficial. As I lay there bleeding on everything, the PA gave me a sling and sent me on my way. Nothing like the ER TV shows where they bandage you up and clean out your abrasions. Nope, I did all that back at the rental house.
They gave me pain pills but the first one I took made me ill, so I flew home the next day with a hematoma the size of my head on my thigh, bruises and abrasions on my knees, elbows, shins, stomach, and feet, and so very sore that I could barely walk. But I made the 6-hour flight home and spent the next few days relaxing because I had a press trip to California coming up and I had to be ready.
Emergency Medical Care Away from Home: Illness
I flew out of Seattle to Ontario, California feeling almost normal. I ditched the sling and though still in pain, I was doing pretty great. I went to bed that night cranky, but I put it off to flying and then driving to the Hemet, California, the city I’d be exploring the next day.
But around midnight, I started feeling ill. By one a.m., I knew that I had some kind of infection and as the hours ticked by I felt worse. I chugged two bottles of water hoping I was just dehydrated, but that didn’t help. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t sleep. By seven a.m., I couldn’t take the pain any longer, and I snuck out so as not to wake my mother who’d come along on the trip with me, and I sat in the car searching for an Urgent Care facility. This time, I was in California, and I thought for sure they’d have 24/7 Urgent Care available, but I was wrong. I would have to suffer for a minimum of 2-1/2 hours more, and that wasn’t something I wasn’t up for, so I headed to the local Emergency Room. My second trip in less than ten days and a different state.
This time, I did see a doctor. After a CT scan and several other tests, I was told the pain was from a bladder infection, kidney stone, and an ovarian cyst. No wonder I hurt so much! Two IV’s and several attempted sticks later, I was sent on my way to pick up drugs and head back to my accommodations to get some much-needed sleep. I tried to participate in the events that took place over the next few days, but I was so miserable I missed most of them. Besides the pain, the pain pills caused a host of side effects that added to my misery.
Tips When Suffering an Illness or Injury While Traveling:
- Always carry your health insurance card. I’ve been lax about having it with me because I always assume I won’t need it. I did.
- Know what drugs you’re taking and the dosage. I knew what I was taking, but not how much, and worse, I’d forgotten to bring one of my prescription drugs with me on the trip and on top of everything else, I was going through withdrawal in addition to feeling ill from the pain pills. A call to my doctor’s on-call physician got me a prescription to stop the horrible withdrawal symptoms and thankfully a 24-hour pharmacy was available to fill it.
- Ask about side effects from any prescribed drug. I was so ill I didn’t ask, and neither the pharmacy or the doctor offered the info, but I ended up with many side-effects caused by the pain pill. But I didn’t know they were side effects and thought something was wrong. It turns out that by breaking the pills in half and taking them every 3 hours instead of 6, the additional symptoms were more manageable.
- If you are someone who occasionally needs medical assistance, Google before you go to find out if they have facilities for you. I assumed everyone had the same health care options we have here at home. I’ve found that not to be the case. Even in large cities like Anaheim, I had to go to the hospital because of the type of break I had. Knowing that in advance would have saved me several hours at an Urgent Care facility that ultimately couldn’t help. I also met a sweet couple at the Hemet Hospital, who’d moved to the area just months before, but they didn’t check to find out if their insurance carrier provided services in the area. It turns out they don’t, so for anything other than emergency care; they have to drive several hours.
- Be Sure You’re Fit to Fly. I shouldn’t have pushed myself to attend events and risked being too ill to fly home. Airlines will bar you from flying if there’s a risk you’ll need emergency medical attention while in the air. Know before you fly and have a letter from your healthcare provider that you’re fit to fly before you show up at the airport if there’s any question (for instance if you’re being treated for cancer or look ill). Here’s a letter to customer’s traveling with medical conditions Alaska Airlines published which lays out their policy.
- Traveling Out of the Country? Do all of the above and BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE! Read Cruise Ship Illnesses: My Norovirus Experience and Cruise Travel Insurance: Why I Won’t Travel Without It
Ironically, one of the events I did attend while in Hemet was one for Physicians For Healthy Hospitals. It turns out that the Hemet Valley Medical Center nearly closed a few years ago during the financial downturn. Thankfully the Physicians For Healthy Hospitals stepped in and purchased the hospital which has kept it open. This coalition of local doctors kept this 327-bed hospital as well as Menifee Valley Medical Center and Hemet Valley Recovery Center and Sage Retreat open. It was sobering to hear that I might have had to travel even further for assistance that day; I’m grateful that wasn’t necessary.
Being ill when you’re away from home is miserable. Many times over the last few days I’ve said to myself that I’m never traveling again. I’m sure I don’t mean it, and now that I’m home and making appointments to follow up with an Orthopedic for my torn shoulder and a Urologist for my kidney stone, I’ll be better soon. But until then, I’m not going anywhere. I want the comfort of my bed and the medical services I know where to find.
Here’s hoping there are no more ER visits in my future and, for now, I’m thankful they were there. Ask me again after I see the bills!
Have you had an accident or illness while on vacation?
Ugh. I can’t imagine getting an injury while traveling. Worst trip ever! Thanks for the tips though, at least I’ll be prepared!
This is such a scary thought! When we went to myrtle beach the last time we had to detour in Fayetteville because my daughter got very sick and we had to go to the ER.
That’s the worst! Strange place and sick child = not a fun vacation!
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry that happened to you! Sounds like a nightmare! I have a chronic illness too and every time I travel, I do fear something will happen. These are definitely great tips to remember though – I didn’t realize how important carrying around your health insurance card was until last year when I found myself constantly in and out of urgent care/ER.
Sorry to hear about the ER visits! It does make it much harder to get treatment without that silly little plastic card though, huh! Be well!
This is a topic that people tend to overlook when traveling. It’s always better to be prepared. I think these are good reminders for those who are traveling soon.
Good grief! A bladder infection, kidney stone, and an ovarian cyst all at the same time. I hope you’re feeling so much better now! Sucks to fall ill when on vacation.
Such important things to remember when traveling. I’ve never ever thought to research hospitals and urgent care facilities before trips, but as I can tell from your post, it’s important to do! I wish you the very best on your road to recovery. It’s not easy taking it easy while recovering, but remember that it’s for a short period of time & it’s now when it matters most so rest up and allow your body to heal!
I’ve only gotten sick on one trip and I ended up just spending the day in my hotel room. It wasn’t fun and I did wish I was home instead of a hotel room. Knowing your medical information is essential when traveling, as well as if your company offers any other assistance should you be in a foreign country.
Oh my goodness. What a nightmare this would be. I don’t travel often but I think if/when I do this would seriously be one of the things I fear most! Hope you are feeling much better!
So many good ideas! I’ve thankfully never been sick while traveling, but these are things I think about more now that we have a son. Good to think through some of these types of things before heading out these days!
Oh how horrible, I’m sorry you had an accident on Hawaii and it only got worse. I have an autoimmune chronic illness. I’m good about bringing my health insurance card with me. but I am horrible about keeping the dosage of the meds I’m (sporadically) taking for it. Thanks for these tips.
I’m the same way about my meds. I had a medical ID necklace made that has my disease on it plus the meds I take (especially the one I’m a guinnea pig for – none of my doctors have ever heard of it), but I didn’t put the dosages because there wasn’t room. I take a snapshot of my bottles whenever I change meds so I have the new dosage in case I need it.
So sorry you had that accident! Ugh! But thank you for sharing your situation with us so that if we experience any injury while on vacation we know what to do!
Oh no! What an awful experience to have two trips impacted by injury. Unfortunately health care is great in some parts of the country and iffy in others. I’m truly surprised the Kona doctors let you go home without antibiotics. This is a great awareness post for anyone who travels.
Things like this are why travelers insurance really is super important! My biggest fear is getting sick or hurt while traveling and being stuck!
I got sick with the flu over Christmas while at Disney World. I called the number on my insurance card and they told me where to go and helped me make an appt. I was so grateful!
I am always wondering whether my insurance works while out of state. Your ordeal was very worrisome even if you were home but being away makes it so much worse.
We are going to Cancun in June and I plan on double checking our insurance to make sure all is ok when traveling abroad. I pray for no injuries and good health. We definitely will have our insurance card on us!
You have described my worst nightmare! We are traveling in June and I’ve already checked out the health care in the care to make sure we’ll be covered if anything were to happen. I so hope you are feeling better and healing nicely!