Travel insurance

[ster & kev]

My husband had a stroke 15 months ago. He's been released by his dr. Over 6 months ago. Once you've had one stroke you're always at a higher risk of having another. He's on a staten drug, and they have no idea why he had his first stroke. It might have been caused my an over the counter cold medication he was taking that might have restricted his blood vessels and then cause a BP spike. They don't know!, The nurse I've chatted with there in JA almost makes me feel hesitant for even bringing him back, reminding me its third world and she's seen horror stories of course. Are we crazy for taking the risk? Are we never supposed to come back I'm 39, he's 47 now.

[Rob]

S&K,

I am sure the nurse has seen horror stories, because she is generally called during an emergency. But I am a bit surprised the nurse "reminded" you Jamaica is third world. Unless you are using the Soviet Union era definition (first world, aligned with the USA, second world aligned with the Soviet Union, third world not aligned with either), Jamaica is not considered third world under any of the current definitions. We are a developing nation.

Did the nurse answer your tPA question? If not, here is an article from the Gleaner that mentions tPA and the importance of it because of the high incident of strokes in Jamaica.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/h...johnson-stroke

We recently had a close friend who suffered a stroke in Negril and was taken to Montego Bay. tPA can be administered up to 4.5 hours and break up the clot. He had a speedy recovery and was able to travel to be with his wife and is now back on the island running his business. That all transpired within the last two months.

There is stroke treatment available in Jamaica, so the person I would ask about the risk would be your doctor. Since they don't know what caused the stroke and Kev is on a staten now, your doctor is the only person I would consult. But I do know life is worth living, and if the doctor gives the all clear, get the travel insurance and see you soon!

I recently lost my Mom to a stroke so this hits home for me. She lived a full life and we even spoke just a few hours before her stroke. You just never know.

[Comforts of Home Nursing]

S&K,

I am sure the nurse has seen horror stories, because she is generally called during an emergency. But I am a bit surprised the nurse "reminded" you Jamaica is third world. Unless you are using the Soviet Union era definition (first world, aligned with the USA, second world aligned with the Soviet Union, third world not aligned with either), Jamaica is not considered third world under any of the current definitions. We are a developing nation.

Did the nurse answer your tPA question? If not, here is an article from the Gleaner that mentions tPA and the importance of it because of the high incident of strokes in Jamaica.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/h...johnson-stroke

We recently had a close friend who suffered a stroke in Negril and was taken to Montego Bay. tPA can be administered up to 4.5 hours and break up the clot. He had a speedy recovery and was able to travel to be with his wife and is now back on the island running his business. That all transpired within the last two months.

There is stroke treatment available in Jamaica, so the person I would ask about the risk would be your doctor. Since they don't know what caused the stroke and Kev is on a staten now, your doctor is the only person I would consult. But I do know life is worth living, and if the doctor gives the all clear, get the travel insurance and see you soon!

I recently lost my Mom to a stroke so this hits home for me. She lived a full life and we even spoke just a few hours before her stroke. You just never know.

If it is THIS nurse you are speaking about, yes....I spoke directly to a physician in Mobay about the medication. He told me they prefer to use it for MI (heart attacks). Surprising and we are lucky to have certain medications sometimes!
We all go round and round about third world or not but if you wish to say JA is developing, OK. Any tourist town with no hospital and NO clinic open 24 hours is third world to ME as a nurse. Erase my comments again...OK I am honest. I continue to push to get something going 24 hours...this has been my goal for 4 years now! I get more calls during the day because the physicians are too busy to leave clinic actually, deal with many NON emergencies as well as emergencies. I can get there for first assessment and call physician or handle it myself. Travel insurance important, consulting/informing a physician where you are going before travel here important, carry credit card with 25,000 available and carry cash!
Straight Up Nurse Beth

[Comforts of Home Nursing]

S&K,

I am sure the nurse has seen horror stories, because she is generally called during an emergency. But I am a bit surprised the nurse "reminded" you Jamaica is third world. Unless you are using the Soviet Union era definition (first world, aligned with the USA, second world aligned with the Soviet Union, third world not aligned with either), Jamaica is not considered third world under any of the current definitions. We are a developing nation.

Did the nurse answer your tPA question? If not, here is an article from the Gleaner that mentions tPA and the importance of it because of the high incident of strokes in Jamaica.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/h...johnson-stroke

We recently had a close friend who suffered a stroke in Negril and was taken to Montego Bay. tPA can be administered up to 4.5 hours and break up the clot. He had a speedy recovery and was able to travel to be with his wife and is now back on the island running his business. That all transpired within the last two months.

There is stroke treatment available in Jamaica, so the person I would ask about the risk would be your doctor. Since they don't know what caused the stroke and Kev is on a staten now, your doctor is the only person I would consult. But I do know life is worth living, and if the doctor gives the all clear, get the travel insurance and see you soon!

I recently lost my Mom to a stroke so this hits home for me. She lived a full life and we even spoke just a few hours before her stroke. You just never know.

I collaborate with many physicians, some from MoBay. Each have their own preferences on drugs and it also depends on availability at the time. I must add that my service calls are 50/50, as I go to hotels, apartments and businesses for NON emergency calls every day. The on-site nursing service I provide includes assessment and care OR collaboration/referral if needed! It is all about someone coming to you and facilitating what you need and/or where you need to go. Physicians are busy and wait times can be lengthy. www.j.mp/comfortsJA to PRE register

[Jdub]

Greetings Ster and Kev,

I had a stroke in June 2014 with no warning and due to an unknown cause. No doctors or test could determine why this happened since my blood pressure had always been fine and my cholesterol normal or below. After my stroke, I was very nervous about the possibility of another one. Once I got the "all clear" to travel from my doctor, I didn't hesitate about keeping my travel plans. Since I refuse to live in fear, I traveled to Jamaica in October 2014. I had bought my ticket in February 2014 and was determined to keep living and enjoy life as much as possible. I still have partial paralysis on my right side, but I'm still driving (yes, in Jamaica too) and occasionally teach university courses. I've been coming to Negril each year since 2000 and haven't missed a year yet. I'll be there again in October. I also get travel insurance though Allianz and have Nurse Beth's number programmed into my phone. No one can ever predict where or when something like this can happen to any of us.

I live in NC. In my case, since I drove myself to the ER when I was having my stroke, the unconcerned reception staff felt it was more important to spend precious time getting my insurance information as opposed to allowing me to be seen by a doctor. They let me sit for an hour, and only took me back for treatment when I went back to the reception desk to tell them I was getting weaker. Once back, according to the doctor, the nurse made a medical error, which I think led to the partial paralysis. I can't prove it, but it happened (and a friend witnessed it). My point is, even in a major hospital system, there's no guarantee about the treatment you may receive. There's nothing I can do to change my situation, so I choose to live life as before. Drove to Norfolk VA last month to see Tarrus Riley, going to see Beres Hammond in Raleigh July 28th, and giving thanks everyday because things could always be worse. If you or your husband ever need to hear an encouraging word, PM me and I'll send my phone number.

Peace and blessings,

Dr. J