Canceling Travel Because of Heart

Very good advice Robin1

by Tumbleweed - 2019-01-19 16:54:01

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I will discuss it more with a third party. I hope your new job and travels are all good and uneventful from now on. I think camping in the wilderness isn't on either of our agendas any more, but I sure enjoyed those kinds of things and will remember them fondly.

How Old Are You?

by NiceNiecey - 2019-01-20 01:14:44

Hi Tumbleweed. Cute name!

You haven’t filled out your Club Profile. I looked at it to see how old you are because that makes a difference in how I’d answer your questions. Would you mind letting us know? I think it might also help others give you more thoughtful responses.

Niecey

Travel

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2019-01-20 20:04:19

Robin1 gave you a very thoughtful reply.  

In my case, I decided to forego my toughest plans and have substituted similar, safer alternatives.  I ALWAYS buy travel insurance for areas where my normal health insurance does not cover me.  Air evacuations are VERY costly!  I always carry my medical records and individual payment means. And rather than doing things individually, I usually sign up for Group excursions so there are other people available in case of need. Your husband will be a great help.

Do what you feel comfortable with -- for YOU.

Thank you everyone.

by Tumbleweed - 2019-01-21 23:21:02

I received several very helpful and thoughtful replies as well as good advice. I also filled in a few more details about myself. I am 64 and stopped working at 60 because of a number of health issues. It is only in the last year that I've had heart problems brought to my attention, although I suspect my heart had a bearing on many of the other problems I've had.

Choices, choices

by Gotrhythm - 2019-01-22 15:10:11

As I read your post, I found myself wanting to ask, "Do you feel well enough to attempt those trips? Would you go if fear of what might happen didn't stop you?"

I ask because I don't travel as much as I want to--not because I'm afraid of having an incident--it's not likely--but because I know I wouldn't feel well enough to enjoy it. (I have a constellation of conditions that limit my stamina.) So I do understand how it feels to want to travel, have the money and the time, but not be able to.

My late husband saw travel differently. He had a severe heart condition. Both he and I knew he hadn't long to live. He felt terrible much of the time. Nevertheless, he went on fly-fishing trips with friends. The trout streams they went to were hours away from any possible medical help, and frequently the men would camp there for several days. 

I didn't try to stop him. I believed if he died, he would die doing where he loved to be, doing what he loved doing. I am deeply grateful to the men who knew how sick he was, know what could happen, and yet were willing to go with him.

I often think about my husband's fly-fishing. He didn't let your reason--the possiblity of being far from help, or my reason--feeling terrible-- stop him from doing what he wanted to do. I think the reasons for our choices are located much deeper than any conscious reason we give.

One small footnote. He didn't die on a fishing trip. He died in the hospital which he had only gone to for tests. Go figure.

Thank you for sharing

by Tumbleweed - 2019-01-22 19:53:31

Your story about your husband is full of insight, especially about the reasons being located much deeper than any conscious reason we give. I'm so sorry you lost your husband, who sounds like a wonderful person. And I'm so glad he didn't stop taking his fishing trips.

I think I could still do these trips physically, if I took it easy. It is fear that is stopping me, but often what I think isn't reality. It's so strange to be perfectly fine one moment and then find myself on the floor with a concussion the next. I keep thinking that I'm better than I actually am. I want to do the things I've always done, yet if no one stops me, I often end up in pain or with other health problems. That's why I asked how others feel about this.

Thank you for your generous spirit. And, I so hope you start feeling better. I exercise in the pool daily at the Y and that certainly has been the best medicine I've ever taken.