Urgent airline question/disclosing heart disease

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:53 am

my in-laws have been wintering in Florida for years, and it's time for them to return to New Hampshire. Unfortunately, my father-in-law (who has been battling heart disease) heart appears to be finally failing (he's in his mid 80s had triple bypass 30 years ago and unfortunately needs another however doctors refused to operate citing age as the reason) and his daughters are trying to get him home instead of being admitted for the third time in the past five weeks to a Florida hospital (The three daughters have been rotating trips down).
So my question. My sister-in-law and my wife are trying to find fly him back tomorrow at which point they will probably bring him straight to the hospital here (he's been having angina attacks the last two days and I'm really shortening the story) how much of this do you disclose the airline if it all in fear they refuse to allow him to board?
Thanks in advance for your advice

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:16 pm

Honestly I would check in with the airline you are thinking about booking on. You could always call and ask about their policies without disclosing your reservation number. Or even just check the website under the special assistance section. Maybe one of the forum folks who are travel agents will have more specific information for you.

I am sure that this is a very stressful situation for you and your wife, and I am sorry for that.

loria · Post by **loria** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:20 pm

I am so sorry-- one thing that you should definitely check is if he is ok to fly in his condition-- the pressure changes can wreak havoc on persons who are sick--soyou should probably ask one of his doctors if flying is even in the cards in his present state.

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:41 pm

Asking the doctor unfortunately is part of the long story he's doctor informed him he no longer wanted him as a patient. My suggestion was that I rent an RV and my son and I drive him home in a straight shot of 24 hours of driving while he's able to rest and get up in the back of the RV. My father-in-law believes it's better that he fly home. The airline websites do not seem to have much help in regards to flying in his condition in this litigation prone to era they will ask for a doctor's letter (doctors will be extremely conservative as they do not want to be sued and are reluctant to provide such documentation)

I used to work for a couple heart assist medical device companies and I can go into a long tirade about our health care system. As a piece of trivia the heart assist device that Dick Cheney had originated in a company here in Massachusetts before manufacturing moved to California (worked for the company before it moved west).

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:34 pm

I actually think your RV idea sounds sensible. Another idea, and I'm not sure if this will work, but you could try to contact Angel Flight. They're a non-profit organization that organizes private pilots to run "mission flights" often bringing folks from remote locations to chemo, etc. Your situation is not exactly the same, but I wonder if they'd be able to help you out. My father has been involved with the organization for years as a pilot flying missions, and recently also as the President of the Western US. I don't know much more about the organization, but they do good work, and it's worth reaching out to them. If they can't help you, they might have a suggestion. Best of luck; thinking of you and your family.

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:09 pm

Thanks everyone.

So we rearranged plans and my wife booked flights for her and my father-in-law on a direct flight to Boston tonight, I will pick them up at the airport and from there take them to our local hospital. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law will close the condo down and fly back on Sunday.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:30 pm

Wishing them all safe travels. Thinking of you.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:04 pm

What an awful situation. I am so sorry. Please let us know when they arrived safely and you get a minute to breathe. Will be thinking of you all!

byado18 · Post by **byado18** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:07 pm

Sending prayers for safe travels and good luck!

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:27 pm

sending prayers for your family

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:13 pm

They are on the plane, I'm leaving shortly for the airport. I'll update in the AM

toni · Post by **toni** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:11 pm

Good luck with everything-
Toni

Joppa · Post by **Joppa** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:18 am

Wow so sorry to hear all of this. I will keep your family in my prayers. I am very curious about the MD that told him he didn't want him as a patient any more. Was this a NH MD on a FL MD?

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:52 am

Hi All,

Thanks for the support. My father in law flew home without any incident minus a nitro pill and we took him directly to the ER at midnight. He's been admitted discovering he still has pneumonia which the Florida doctor missed. We came home a little after 3:00 last night and getting ready to take my wife back to the hospital. You can tell already his mood has changed and he is more positive now that he is back home. Fortunately, he has some very good friends, my wife calls them angels, and one of them and his son has already built him a professional ramp for entering his home. Thanks for all your thoughts and well wishes.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:46 am

Very good news! I hope that he improves quickly, everyone else gets home safely, and that all of you can rest... in my thoughts.

usvi-on-line

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Urgent airline question/disclosing heart disease

Urgent airline question/disclosing heart disease