Think You Don't Need Travel Insurance?
by Bobbie Murphy

article continued

At about 10:30 am, Phillip came up to the hot tub/sports deck aft and saw me playing basketball with a couple of young people. He had on his tennis shoes, but I didn’t, so I ran down to my room to grab mine. In our younger days, we both played ball, and it was a beautiful day to get some exercise. After several minutes, we started guarding each other, and with my back to the basket, he dribbled left and then switched quickly right - and his ankle went all the way to the deck! Ouch - I knew it was bad. Phillip yelled to call the doc. I yelled for ice, and a ship server came with a cup of ice. Kind of funny, if it hadn’t been so critical. Next to us was a volleyball game in progress, and two men came running who happened to be paramedics! One asked permission to take his shoe off, and when he did, we noticed the awkward angle of the foot. It wasn’t long before a group of about 10 crew members arrived to carry him to the infirmary.

The trip down the stairs (we were on deck 12 and had to go down to 3!) was a bit comedic, to say the least, although Phillip didn’t think so! Why they didn’t take him by cargo elevator, we don’t know. We know they have one for med-evacuations. I had to keep saying "slowly," though who knows if they understood me. One of them kept saying it back, and there was one in particular who was SO tiny and struggling that I kept asking if I could take over for him!

The next few minutes went quickly. The infirmary staff put in an IV for pain meds, took two views of X-rays to see the damage, and put large bags of ice on his ankle to help keep the swelling down. Even before the X-rays were seen, the diagnosis was severe dislocation. The ship doctors, as you know, are general practitioners who are not usually capable of setting an injury such as Phillip’s. It is critical to get these injuries “reduced” ASAP, for obvious reasons, as much tissue damage can occur. The X-rays showed two breaks and displacement, meaning that Phillip was lucky not to have a break in the skin and a compound fracture. Not looking good here.

The doctor showed me the X-rays and then brought them in for Phillip to see. He explained that he would need to call for a ship evacuation by helicopter, as he was unequipped to handle this kind of injury. He couldn’t set it. NOT good.

The realization then set in that Phillip did NOT have insurance that would cover a medical evacuation off the ship. Your medical insurance doesn’t cover this (unless you have some unusual clause in yours - but do check for that!). Much later, we would discover that the cost could have been $30,000, minimum. Wow. I have a travel agent plan for myself that costs me $49 and has up to $50,000 med evac insurance. Don’t worry - Phillip will have one the next time he escorts a group on a cruise!

I asked the nurse to contact Phillip’s good friend John to come down. John was able to spread the word around the ship that there was going to be a med evacuation, but I won’t tell you the crazy stories that spread as a result. Let’s just say that word got around that there was a death and that officials were doing a criminal investigation! Phillip’s friends on board were gathering to be ready for photo journalism and a video of the event. After all, what are friends for?

OK, so then the serious praying began. Phillip and I happen to believe in the power of prayer, so why not? Can’t hurt, right? In the meantime, a couple of Phillip’s good friends, Suzanna and Susana, came to sit with him as well. Would you believe that, within about two hours, an angel walked through that door? Dr. William L. Tontl, Sr., of San Diego - an orthopedic surgeon from the very hospital group where they were to airlift Phillip for treatment - was on board enjoying a vacation! Are you kidding me? OK, THAT was powerful.

He said "Phillip, I am going to take care of you, and for free. If this works, you will NOT have to be airlifted to San Diego." He began to order the doctor and nurses around, commanding the respect that he deserved. The ship doctor was at first reluctant but, with the signature on a consent form, he agreed to let Dr. Tontl attempt the "reduction" (aligning the bones and the joint to stabilize the injury). One large needle and injection of lidocaine later, Phillip was ready to have him yank on the heel. NO pain! The man was amazing. He had assured Phillip that he had done 500 or more of these procedures, and it was going to work.

Five more X-ray views later, Dr. Tontl showed us the results. "Perfect" was the word we heard. I think Phillip wanted to cry when he heard that. No helicopter ride was going to be necessary. That has to give you goose bumps. It sure did those of us who were with him!

Phillip was able to be brought back to his stateroom for a good night’s sleep (with a little help from the pain medication) and a scheduled 6 am disembarkation. The "Carnival Elation" dining staff sent someone up to his room so he could order dinner from the menu. How cool is that? He hadn’t eaten since 9 am. That was a nice touch.

Ship protocol required Phillip to be seen and dismissed by a local hospital, so he was transferred from the ship by wheelchair and taken to the hospital by ambulance. His friend John was able (with the help of the ship's crew members) to retrieve Phillip's luggage and meet him at the hospital. After a short time and some follow-up X-rays, Dr. Tontl appeared again to check on his patient and look at the X-rays they took with HIS equipment! With this article, you'll see a photo of Phillips with this amazing surgeon. What a wonderful man he is. Oh, and Carnival called the emergency room to check on Phillip as well.

Surgery was done at a hospital near Phillip’s home in Tujunga, Calif., to make the follow-up easier for him. He had to have nine pins and a metal plate put in his right ankle. No driving for four weeks, then light weight bearing after that, if everything looks good.

The moral of the story? Do you have to ask? There are several travel insurance companies that offer travel agent plans for yearly coverage. You MUST have one. The cost of a plan that allows for $50,000 of medical evacuation coverage is only $39-$49 per year! Some even cover your spouse and anyone else living in your house for this rate. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to make the purchase today. And, it won’t be hard to convince your clients to purchase a plan when they cruise as well if you tell this story.

Bobbie Murphy is the owner of Bobbie's Travel Ltd. in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the director of the OSSN Kentucky Chapter. You may reach her via her listing (under "KY") in the OSSN chapter directors roster.

(Credits: Bobbie Murphy)