BootsnAll Travel Community

Basically I have been planning a 6 month RTW trip for te past year now hoping to go in January 2007. However, my girlfriend took sick last November (although she is fine now) but has to have an MRI scan. Unfortunatly the waiting lists are from 14-24 months which means we cannot book anything until she gets the scan. We have been seeing eachother for over 4 years now and if we don't go in 2007 then she will not go as she wants to settle down etc.

So my options are limited. I don't think I could go alone as I don't think I'm that type of person as well as it being extremely difficult on our relationship. Going with friends isn't an option as they are not as adventurous as me and couldn't save the money anyway due to their partying, mortgages etc.

So it looks as if if won't happen and I'm depressed about it all

Would you have to be in the country up until that point? Could you not leave on your trip and make a visit back to N.I. when her MRI scan is? (I know that's not a cheap option, but if you could).

What about the possibility of going earlier? You may end up getting into a little debt by not having saved your target amount by your target date, but at least you would have done it and have no regrets about the 'what if?' scenario you may otherwise come up against later on in life.

Just my £0.02 dude.
Good luck.
J.

quote:

Originally posted by Lancashirehotpot:
Would you have to be in the country up until that point? Could you not leave on your trip and make a visit back to N.I. when her MRI scan is? (I know that's not a cheap option, but if you could).

What about the possibility of going earlier? You may end up getting into a little debt by not having saved your target amount by your target date, but at least you would have done it and have no regrets about the 'what if?' scenario you may otherwise come up against later on in life.

Just my £0.02 dude.
Good luck.
J.

going earlier isn't an option as without the MRI scan she would not be isured to travel.

Know MRIs are expensive, but not sure how much. My first line of investigation would be to find out how much it would cost to go private.

(As a pre-existing condition I doubt you'd would find any insurance to cover the cost of the MRI but it is still possible to pay out of your own pocket.

As I say, I have no idea exactly how much they cost and don't know your own situation, but if you found out you could ask yourself the question 'Is it worth £xxxx for us to a) know what's happening health-wise and b) possibly be able to head off'.

The waiting list sucks. My brother is just reaching the top of it...

KG

I met people from the UK with the same predicament while in SE Asia.
They simply paid a private hospital in Bangkok and had the MRI done within 24 hours for cheap cheap.

Joe E is right- head to SE Asia first and get it done there for like $50 in a world class hospital in Bangkok. You can travel and have your worries taken care of.

Man, 14-24 months for an MRI? I thought we had it bad over here...

PC

Unfortunately the scan is for the brain and thus the most complicated thing to scan therefore we are talking thousands (only £500 for leg, arm etc.)!

I suggested the idea of getting it done while away as I know a friend of a friend got an MRI scan done in India for next to nothing. Also we aren't planning to go to Asia (SA, Aust, NZ, USA where costs are even more than UK).

Thanks for the suggestions anyway

acutally since you are going to be so close to asia you can definitely make a side trip there and enjoy the people and it's culture to boot.

If the trip is important to you that I think you should go. I would never want to be in the position where there is a "What if" or "I could have". And if I was your girlfriend I'd either postpone so we could go together or tell you to go without me. That way you couldn't hold it against her. NOT that you would do that. But those are the kinds of things that come up in arguments 5 years later. i.e., I could have gone RTW but YOU needed an MRI. Good luck resolving this issue. Hope her health stays fine.

acs - I guess it depends on the severity of the health problem. Equally 'I really needed you here when I was going through a hard time with my helath and you were on the other side of the world' could be brought up in an argument 5 years down the line.

I don't envy your situation HNISC. It must be tough.

KG

I don't think I would be able to go with myself. I'm not that type of person. Eating on your own, long bus rides on your own etc doesnt really appeal to me.

I had a MRI head scan last year after a bout of migraines. I went privately with work scheme but the invoice for the scan was £740. The private consulations either side were £120 each. It gives you so much more piece of mind to get it out the way.

Found these via Google. England rather than NI, but you could get cheap flights over.

http://www.coventrypainclinic.org.uk/home-mriscans.htm

http://www.medtel.co.uk/index.html (no prices but info on where int he UK has private sacnners).

KG

HNISC, That is one heck of a dilemma. But here's the way I look at it: there is always another way. Like the first question would be, must she have that MRI? Is it a fer sure fer sure, or are they just being cautious? Because I'm thinking if they really thought it was an emergency, they'd get her in quicker. You can always turn down tests if you think it would not be in your best interests. I have before.

Also, if you really do want the peace of mind, then I second getting one in Asia. You could probably pay out of your own pocket and get an immediate answer too. Medical tourism is getting to be big business these days I've heard.

Also, you didn't say what it is, but keep her off the diet soda--aspartame can cause brain problems. I had seizures for years because of it, and haven't had a single problem after laying off the stuff.

Go girl - the NHS sucks for things like this. My brother was in crippling pain for 12 months waiting for his (had it the other day). Doesn't seem to matter the severity of your problem unless it is really a 'drop down dead tomorrow' situation. (sorry HNISC - hope that wasn't insensitive).

Just remembered that my brother was given the option of being on a short notice waiting list as well as the normal waiting list. Meant he had to be able to get to the hospital within 2 hours or something, but if they had a last minute cancellation they could fit him in. Wasn't an option for him though as he lived too far away. Might be worth asking about.

KG

Its a being cautious APPROACH (I assume) after she had a blood clot after an operation. Her parents will not allow her to travel without it.

KPG I will look into that 'short' waiting list option.

P.S. Even for the most major of problems an MRI scan on the NHS is a minimum of 3 weeks wait. Yes its THAT BAD!

I had an MRI of my ovaries last year and I made an appointment with no waiting. Not sure why the wait, but I would say, TRAVEL ANYWAY! Travel and come back! Travel--settling down means that, you won't get this chance again!

quote:

Originally posted by cherie:
I had an MRI of my ovaries last year and I made an appointment with no waiting. Not sure why the wait, but I would say, TRAVEL ANYWAY! Travel and come back! Travel--settling down means that, you won't get this chance again!

in the UK ?

quote:

Originally posted by cherie:
Travel--settling down means that, you won't get this chance again!

Sorry - a little off subject, but this isn't true for everyone.

We settled down - bought a flat together, have good jobs, got married, etc. Now we're selling the house and heading of an an 18 month + RTW trip.

HNISC - just wanted to point out that I completely understand that you want to stick to your plans and (as mentioned above) I think there are avenues you can investigate as well as keeping your fingers crossed that your girlfriend gets offered a scan sooner rather than later.

But, if it all goes pear-shaped it doesn't mean you've missed your final chance. Maybe she'll change her mind. Even if not 6 month's might not be such a long time to take off work even when you're 'settled'. And if the worst comes to it, there is always the possibility of shorter trips over a number of years.

I dunno. I just got the feeling that we needed a voice of 'it's not all over once you settle down' here.



KG

I have to admit that I can't quite follow you. Have you guys gotten a second opinion? If it were a clot, aren't there blood thinning medicines to take care of that too? Basically, is there any other option? and how can the mri be so important if it's okay to wait 18 months? (if it really is so important, why not hop a Ryan air flight somewhere where you can get it done cheaper?)
And just one other thing: why on earth do her parents get to decide whether she goes or not? I'd be thuroughly insulted if my parents thought they could still decide to "let" me do anything.