This is my first post here as my wife suffered a 2 minor strokes just before Christmas, we have been so very lucky, that she has had no lasting effects. As we continue our recovery journey, her dizziness has cleared and we are walking 4-5 miles a day now.
We met a wonderful consultant surgeon in Chester, and he has told us in no uncertain terms that my wife should continue to lead a normal life post stroke.
When we spoke to him about a long haul trip we had planned at the beginning of February, he said just go there is no medical reason why we shouldn’t travel and we are now better protected as with the medication you are on the chance of another stroke is very remote. But we are still unsure and as this is still very new and we’re just getting used to our new normal.
We have discussed the situation with our insurance company and they are happy to cover us as the holiday was booked well in advance of the stroke.
Please if there is anyone out there who has had a similar experience to this, or can give us any advice
On top of insurance you can get a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) assuming you haven’t already got one, they are free and last for five years. Also, assuming you are going o/s. Fear and anxiety are the only hurdles if your wife’s symptoms are manageable for travelling, fatigue may be an issue, so hopefully the trip can accommodate for rest periods. New sights and sounds, and unfamiliar environments can spike symptoms that may not be apparent in familiar surroundings.
I’m with your doctor, there’s really no reason not to go. It’s just a matter of managing the brain fatigue, building in plenty of rest periods, going at her pace. Make sure you allow extra time into flights and excursions. In other words don’t leave anything to last minute as that will build up anxiety, stress and fatigue. I know how we all hate hanging around at airports and the like, but if you plan for that, go for a coffee or bite to eat, it’ll make the journeying more relax and stress free. Keep it simple and straightforward, don’t overcomplicate things. That’s all you have to do. Relax and enjoy your holiday
Hello Tony - welcome to the community and so pleasing to see your wife is recovering so well from the minor strokes.
Each stroke is different and each personal will recover and respond according to their individual psyche and health condition. You can ask for as much advice as you like and you will be offered my advice and support, but ultimately it is you (your wife) who has to do this and it is you (your wife) who has to be comfortable doing it.
I see already you have by your own admission met a wonderful consultant (you are very lucky as there aren’t that many about) and you have already been given his advice. Your insurance company is also happy. Also, two fellow forum members have pretty much said the same thing.
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s strokes but it’s great to hear she’s been making such good progress.
I can see you’ve had a few responses already and I hope these are helpful. It really is a personal decision on if you decide to go, as you’ve said you’re both still trying to get used to your new normal. Holidays can be a great way to relax and restore but can also cause some stress too. I’m sure you will both come to the right decision for you.
Please do keep us posted on your decision, it’s always helpful for members to share their experiences here as it can help others too.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Hi @Tony_p1 and welcome to the community. Good to hear your wife is getting on well after ger strokes.
When I had my stroke we had a holiday planned and I debated long & hard about going. But we checked with the dr & they said it would be fine so we went. It was short haul but am very glad we did. We booked assistance at the airport which was really useful as didn’t have to wait in long queues etc. We also planned in rest days and took things a bit easier than we might otherwise have. I had to get a fit to fly letter from my GP - check wigh your airline some ask some don’t and justs make sure she keeps her legs moving and gets out of her seat ftom time to time.
Hi @Tony_p1 firstly welcome, having read your post and the following answers I agree with the sentiment and see no reasons why you both wouldn’t go ahead with plans. Stroke is scary and we all learn to live with it each to our best abilities and all strive to have fulfilled lives after it wreaked its wrath on us.
All medical staff and insurers are happy- go ahead and enjoy yourselves and hope it is somewhere very warm and sunny. Take care, enjoy and best of health to you and your wife.
Hi Tony, sorry to hear of your wife’s stroke but welcome to our community, I hope you will find it a useful place to be. Pleased to hear that your wife is progressing well Following her stroke.
Following my stroke nearly 9 years ago it was a year before we both felt confident to travel abroad but I would say it’s a very personal decision and one that only you and wife can make.
If your wife’s consultant has given you the go ahead and you have spoken to your insurance company, then I would say you’re good to go.
I would say just be aware that post stroke fatigue could kick in and you will need to plan your days and try not to overdo things. Get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated.
I hope you have a great time and your wife’s road to recovery continues well.
@Tony_p1 Just go and enjoy. Do not let Stroke define you both. Live Life like it never happened and you are so fortunate that you have the consultant that you do. I wish I did.
We were due to go on holiday the year following my husband’s to Florida . His stroke had left him without speech and all of his right side.
I obviously had to cancel but transfered the holiday to the Caribbean for December 25. When I did this I had no idea if this would ever happen but thought why not!
Up until we got on the flight shall we say there were some reservations by my husband.
Once aboard , his face changed and suddenly he started to relax. The holiday was a hugh success despite his limited mobility and very limited speech.
So much so, that he is quite up for going back!
Yes, work out how to make the journey as easy on your loved one but make the journey!
Hi Tony, sorry to hear about your wife’s Stroke. My husband had a Stroke in April and we have been on 3 flights since then - as others have said, one of the things to be aware of is the fatigue. A couple of times while waiting in long queues at the airport, we had to find seating and this isn’t always readily available! Just as an aside when you come to re-do your travel insurance for next time, it might be worth shopping around on the comparison sites. Our insurance was ok last year but when I did the renewal, it was apparent that it was definitely going to go up. I also checked on “Martin’s money”. It seems like lots of companies will provide insurance but there is a big difference in price versus what they will cover. Some companies do not even cover for cancellation, which in yours (and our) case, is one of the most important things. In the end, I insured with Saga - there is no upper age limit. Generally the cover is pretty good and cancellation cover is £10,000 per person (they have 3 price tiers and this s the middle one). The other thing I did was to take out two separate policies rather than as a couple which saved quite a bit. I believe this is because a lot of the price of the premium is based on the oldest age and so even though I am only 2 years younger than my husband, it made a big difference. Just food for thought for you and anyone else on here who might be looking for insurance. In the meantime, please look forward, and both go enjoy your holiday!
I have seen this mentioned quite a bit and it has just occurred to me how is this different to “jet lag”?
I don’t fly much but when I do I do not [seem to] suffer from Jet Lag. I have heard people talking about jet lag when the return from their holidays.
So are we talking jet lag here or are we saying it is fatigue that is somehow related to the stroke?
I wonder if any of our stroke survivors can remember to the times when they eused to fly before they had the stroke and if they did, whether they suffered from jet lag and if they did then did this lead to or have fatigue associated with it.
Just me, thinking out loud. Are we over complicating things or overthinking things because the stroke this effect of putting fear into us …
I noticed that there were a few comments on here about fatigue so I thought it might be helpful to post a few links to some information we have on this on our website. You may find some helpful tips in these links for managing fatigue.
Hi everyone thanks for all the wonderful support, help and ideas. Unfortunately we had to cancel in the end we should have flown tomorrow to Sri Lanka. But a few things have been holding us back, as mentioned previously fatigue and slight dizziness when entering new environments. Nothing serious just a little concerning, and her liver enzymes are up so we have had to stop the statin for the next few weeks to do some more blood tests
Also Lee has been having pains in her legs likened to nettle stings and quite painful at times.
Never mind, Sri Lanka won’t be going anywhere in a hurry and it might be serendipitous to postpone until more confident of such a trip, so that it can be enjoyed fully without an excess of niggles.
