Holiday makers and their health

Nowadays, holiday means going somewhere. My domestic lady spent 2 weeks in Spain. My colleague came back from Barbados last week after taking a bargain deal from lastminute.com . Sarah is a nurse from work. She was visiting Sidney according to her email. It can be said that going holiday is part of a human right. People do it regardless of their social and financial status. People with medical condition also enjoy their holiday.

A week ago, I saw a 78 year old man at emergency medical department who came in with acute breathlessness. He was recently diagnosed as lung cancer. He was from Lincoln, northern England. In east, once diagnosed as cancer, they are not willing to go far away from their home. They may stay inside the house. They may be praying for their health. They may be waiting for their time quietly. But in west, people try to live in their normal life style as much as possible.

Yesterday, a noisy air ambulance landed at hospital heliport, bringing a 69 year old man from the cruise ship which just arrived from Mediterranean with over 200 holiday makers. He had a heart surgery previously. His doctor advised him that air travel was not suitable for him. He did not stop and he kept going by cruise ship . Now he is in hospital with a massive collection of fluid around the heart. Of course, there is little or nothing relationship with travelling and his condition. But he might die if his condition deteriorates in the middle of an ocean where it is out of reach of air lift.


Coast guard

A German tourist is also in hospital. We had to use body language before interpreter arrived. The language barrier might lead to something went wrong. Anyway, he is fine now.

The most annoying holiday maker was from Lancastershire. He is 72. He has a long term air way problem. He drove his car along with his partner . He came down to see his daughter in Poole. He had a shortness of breath while staying at hotel and he needed hospital admission . He brought his medications with pill box. Unfortunately, there was no name on it. We did not know what tablet/capsule is what medication. He did not know either. We tried to contact his GP. But only answer phone as it was out of hour. The issue was sorted only after 12 hours when his GP was available in next morning.

Some people appear to consider their health condition briefly when they prepared for their journey. This might impose a risk. Personally, I would advise those with medical conditions should get a copy of their medical summary including medication list from their GP before going holiday.