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Peter

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Everything posted by Peter

  1. We have always been fortunate to get standard cover on a credit card without extra costs or restrictions , whilst advising all my and especially Irene's pre existing medical conditions. Understandably, there were periods soon after new conditions were diagnosed when cover was excluded ,whilst the related treatment settled down. Those surrounding her TIA and heart pacemaker spring to mind, but cover was soon restored, so that we have continued to visit and travel extensively around 38 States of USA - often considered a bugbear for UK travel insurers - and elsewhere. It was no surprise, that her SAH in Florida May 2015 would upset, or more likely prevent our routine trips across the pond. Naturally the associated conditions were excluded, but they also chose to immediately exclude virtually all those conditions which they previously covered which was unexpected. Now , fifteen months later, I didn't know what to expect concerning SAH cover, but thought they would now restore all the other conditions. It was not to be for any of them. This prompted me to contact a broker we used once before during a "closed" period from the credit card insurer. I emailed a summary of conditions, dates diagnosed, medicines taken, monitoring schedules and our dates of birth - we are both aged 71 now - an added difficulty in terms of insurance. A long 'phone call followed, screening each condition and expanding the information I had provided. They would contact an insurer they had in mind and would 'phone back in 10 minutes or so. I expected it to take longer, but within minutes, 'phoned back to say yes, cover would be available - even for USA ! There is no doubt it is expensive, but it seems astonishing that it is available at all, especially so soon after her bleed. So, tomorrow I shall book flights, house rental , car rental etc for a return to Florida , a destination we never expected to be able to visit again. I don't yet know the underwriter/insurer accepting the risk. EDIT The broker's name has been removed by mod as it is advertising, yet there are many instances of the names of insurers having been given on this site. The sole purpose of this posting was to help others in a similar position by pointing them in the direction of just one possible source. Ah well, might as well delete this post as it is of no benefit to anyone.
  2. Subhem, My wife Irene had her SAH abroad a year ago, but on return to UK we had to go through hoops to get her into the NHS system. UK neuro wanted to do an MRI after 6 months, but were prevented by her having a pacemaker so they did a CT scan then and tested her VP Shunt. This was followed up recently at about 12 months after bleed by an angiogram with which they are satisfied, such that her next check up will take place in two years time. They are considering just a CT scan to see if that gives them enough info. Both of us hope you are recovering well from your experience.
  3. None of us can compare treatments in different hospitals , or,as in Irene's case countries. There can be no doubt in my mind that her sensational recovery is due in no small part to the promptness of treatment. Scans, external drain + angiography coiling of aneurysms all completed within 18 hours of her bleed. A lot of skillful work by various medical discplines then followed to manage her recovery. Now that her meds and doses have all but returned to those she took before her bleed it is noticeable that she is virtually back to her old self. It is 9½ months after the event and we both know how lucky we are. Peter
  4. Irene received her licence on Saturday, 18 weeks after sending her application . As is normal for over 70's it is the normal 3 years. She has an "01" restriction due to her double vision, which means she has to wear her glasses fitted with corrective prisms - not a problem. Back behind the wheel and, accompanied admittedly, has had no difficulties on the short journeys done so far. Hope you get your licence back soon and can get your independence back.
  5. Thanks Macca. As Irene's problems happened in USA and insurers paid up for all her treatment as well as arranging repatriation you will realize that full disclosure has always been our watchword. Interestingly, one of her consultants indicated that he was legally required to treat allcomers if he was on duty in ER whether they could pay or not. He reckoned to lose about 25% of his income this way. The nurse who was sent over to accompany Irene back to UK explained that ,during all her worldwide repatriation work, she rarely faced the excellent conditions as she found Irene had.
  6. Win, bear in mind she is ( I know !, "only") eight months down the line, was treated so promptly that , in all honesty her brain has suffered very little damage & her recovery rate already getting flattened out on the "rate of recovery" curve. We've been away from home in UK three times and have two trips booked -one before June angiogram and one after. Until she gets her driving licence back,I have to take her, but she goes to her social events on her own - as you all know is tiring - but she is well and truly back in the real world already. Don't encourage her to sing. Please !!!
  7. Thanks Daffodil. After our return,it has been administratively difficult and a little protracted to get her, now, in the hands of the experts needed. As others have said , a new normal. We are both so fortunate that, in practice, it differs little from the old normal. Later this year, after her 12 month anniversary, I'll make enquiries via a specialist insurance broker we know re USA travel , because the company which has covered both of us for years has, no doubt, taken rather a large hit. It was to be expected that, at the moment at least, they have refused cover for virtually all the conditions which they previously accepted for a pittance of a premium.
  8. My point is that I refuse to use an iron. I did change one nappy once , but thankfully it was just wet !
  9. Thanks, Sharon. Sorry the North East too far to don my pinny !
  10. Winb, thanks. I really like the idea of Head Cook etc as an ID, but too cumbersome to log in with all the time ! Obviously, you haven't heard Irene singing.
  11. Thanks Gemma. Sounds like you have had a much tougher life than either of us. Irene sailed through TIA/pacemaker period as well as this SAH experience. Bleed /clot decision aggravated by different views USA and UK. Whatever the outcome, we are both content with her final decision to return to warfarin. We do know Neurosurgeon completed DVLA form 4th Feb. We can expect an update letter this month saying referred to their medical team
  12. We were on familiar territory in Florida. She would have been better staying a little longer there, but we have worked our way through the difficulties arising from an early return to UK now. I can use all the household toys except irons .Never could find the on switch & stopped looking years ago
  13. The time has come to join your community as a carer. I’ll keep it brief, - you’ll be all too aware there’s much more detail involved in SAH - but provide key words which may prove useful to others searching for more detailed information on some of these elements of our experiences which I am happy to expand upon. I’m Peter & the patient is my wife Irene. She already had a pacemaker after TIA in 2004 + long term warfarin. We are 70 year old Brits, frequent visitors to USA (38 states). Doubt insurers will provide cover now ! May 2015. in Florida, Irene had the headache from hell. 911. Ambulance to local hospital. Emergency CT scan. Airlifted to Neuro hospital. Intensive care. External drain. Angiography = multiple aneurysms (four). Two larger, either or both cause of bleed , coiled. Two small untreated. Aspirin therapy replaced warfarin. Essential brain treatment adversely affected heart & lungs for a while. Many medical disciplines involved. Three weeks later, after VP shunt replaced drain, transferred to “normal” neuro nursing. UK travel insurance medical team (helpful) understandably keen to limit their costs. Medical permission to repatriate us to UK just a few days later. Initial assessment at local UK hospital. GP care. Referrals to Cardiologist, Opthalmology and Neurosurgeon (Oxford Neuroscience) . Medicine reviews - difficult decision re clot / bleed risks. Irene’s recovery has been spectacular (UK neurosurgeon’s word ) - thanks to prompt, expert specialist treatment by the various medical teams in the front line & those we never saw who were working behind the scenes. We will be eternally grateful to them all. She had headaches & nausea for a while + fatigue which has improved considerably, and continuing double vision (diplopia). DVLA withdrew her licence to drive for 6 months due to VP shunt op. Slow to complete their review to allow it’s return. Patience is a virtue and it is vital she is safe to drive. If approved, will make a gradual return. After 8 months on aspirin (300mg daily) she has now returned to warfarin regime on combined neurosurgeon & cardiologist advice. Unable to have MRI, she has had two CT scans in UK showing a stable situation. Due an angiography procedure in June 2016 - abt 12 months after her SAH. We have engaged help from trained neurophysio to assist with exercise - needs motivating! ( I’m just as guilty ! ) Me ? I’m head cook and bottlewasher, taking over those more physical aspects of housework which I didn’t do already. Nice to do some cooking again . We are both fully aware we have been so very, very fortunate.
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