Guest JudgeMental Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I have been corresponding with Terry as I noticed he was back. It turns out that Terry had a major medical problem while in France on holiday - he was fixed and returned home and is thankfully well on his way to a good recovery. I know we all join in wishing him all the best! A summery in Terry’s own words: Hi Eddie, By all means start the ball rolling, copy and paste what I have mentioned to you, I will endeavour to answer any specific points which arise. Its really quite reassuring just how smooth everything went, it does reinforce the necessity of having the correct cover available before leaving the UK. If the same problem had occurred in UK, I don't think I would have received the Angioplasty and stenting, although I may have received the Angiogram, they don't always fit a stent, if they think they can get away with drugs. Regards Terry Thanks Eddie I feel fine - better than before, as the reconditioned pump is now working better with the new spring they fitted (stent) !! The French are marvellous, even supplied a movie film of the entire procedure, before and after - its in standard 4:1 Xray format of course!! its even supplied with its own front end autorun software to run on any computer. Hi Eddie, I expect my experiences will be of interest to many Older Age travellers. Certainly - How the French accepted a foreigner in their hospital and the speed of treatment given. I was amazed at how efficient the process was, from having chest pains on the aires at Josselin, to diagnoses of MI rather than Angina and the remedial action taken at the two hospitals at Ploermel and Vannes, and all within 6 days. The kindness of the staff at both Hospitals, looking after my wife, even having the Camper driven to the car park in Ploermel and allowing my wife to stay in it, whilst I was airlifted to Vannes Centre Hospital - for a new spring to be fitted (stent) to my heart!! The Travel Insurance bought from MTC worked well, once they were alerted, they contacted all the hospitals and sorted the bills out not covered by the E111. Safeguard Motor Insurance package includes breakdown cover and a driver to take the Camper back home if the only driver available cannot drive the camper for a medical reason. I am waiting now for the 24th July, providing I have not had any events by then, I should be back behind the wheel. So repatriation was covered in all aspects. I will be pleased to answer any specific queries you have Eddie. Thanks for your wishes - Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Get well soon terry, you could choose a lot worse country than france to be in hospital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Terry, Glad you made it back home OK. We've been very lucky so far no major medical disasters and we hope it stays that way. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Dear terry you have been busy ! I am very glad you are ok and wish you well and hope you're back driving in no time. ;-) All the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Welcome back Terry, sorry to hear you've had a rough time and glad you're recovering well. Keep smiling. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Thanks for your good wishes - Best regards to you all - Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp002c784tp002c784tp Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Wellcome home Terry sorry to here about your troubles with the ticker, I had the same 6 years ago only I did not get out for 8 weeks after triple Bi-pass so I am now a member of what they call the zipper club Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Terry, Thanks for your welcome and the note of your experience, it's reassuring to to speak with long time survivors of MI, and to know they are still out there! So I wish you continued good health. Best Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelander Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Yes - Get well soon Terry. Your contributions (and calming influence) have been missed recently. Best wishes Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I'm sorry to hear of your experience Terry, but glad it was sorted out successfully.Apart from the impact on you, it must also have been a very worrying time for Mrs Hart; it's good that they also thought of her.Take it easy, and get well soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hi Rob and Brian - Many thanks for your concerns and wishes. With hindsight I should have had a list typed out which could be easily followed in an emergency, also you need at least £150 credit on a PAYG cell phone,to alert Medical Travel Insurance and Breakdown Insurance for repatriation of spouse and camper, and not least to allow your spouse to have good coms with the family in UK, and yourself whilst in Hospital. The Hospitals are very keen to obtain the names of your Travel Insurance providers, if you are able to give them the details, they will contact your Travel Insurance and arrange for all the medical bills to be forwarded directly from the Hospital to them. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevandali Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hi Terry Glad to hear that you are back and on the way to recovery, really makes you think about how important it is to get everything sorted before leaving our little island. I am now in the process of re checking everything before we leave for France in a few weeks time, I think your fountain of knowledge and the help that you give to people on this forum is invaluable. Glad to know what a good service we can hope to expect in the hospitals of our near neighbours. Keep smiling Kevandali Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hi Kev, Thanks for your thoughts, don't forget your E111 card, the card covers all but around 20% - 30% of medical expenses, your travel insurance will pick up any charges the E111 doesn't pay, but you must make sure your E111 is taken first, you should be asked for it at the reception of any in or out patients, Dr's surgery etc.. I was suprised to be asked to pay cash for the return journey in the ambulance car (SAMU Taxi) to transfer between the two hospitals, Vannes and back to Ploermel. At least I wasn't asked to pay for the Helicopter airlift from Ploermel to Vannes at the start of my treatment! I don't think I would have had enough loose change in my jimjams for that!! When you buy medical insurance you need to be really honest about past illness, the agency employed by the Travel Insurance do a thorough checking job on your medical history with your GP (£24.50 charge ) before authorising payment to the Hospitals in France. If you are staying on Aires d'Service, have a plan B ready at this time of year as they are starting to get really busy, often filling up by around 2pm. Have a good trip Kev - Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Way2Go Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Welcome back Terry. We missed your expertise and humour. I'm glad you're making a good recovery but steady as she goes.Kind regardsWay2Go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Welcome back Terry. I know you like to provide us with practical advice and tips but I bet this is one you'd rather not have had. Glad you're recovering Ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Thanks Way2go and Ralph for your kind thoughts, I always thought the greatest pain I could experience was in my wallet! - but I was wrong. If you have to go through that sort of pain before passing on - I'm not going. (lol) Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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