DH in hospital on other side of world- freaking out

[Moonsick]

DH texted me two hours ago to tell me he has been taken to intensive care, he needed travel insurance details. He is in Jakarta.

He has been progressively worse all week, in pain and then blood in his urine.

I have been up for days with two sick kids and my brain isn't working properly, it's just spinning in panicky circles.

Don't really know what to do, just crying to my mum atm like the adult I am. Kids will be up in an hour or so, so need to calm down so I don't freak them out.

Would your in laws be able to help with kids?

I would be on the first plane out and worry about costs later

I hope he makes a full recovery

best wishes to your DH
do what you think best op

Is there anyone else that can go instead of you? Your InLaws? BIL or sil?

Does his employer know about the situation? If he’s there on a work trip then he should have work travel insurance, which may well cover a Med-evac home. Call the embassy for local advice. Sending you best wishes

As others have said start by contacting the travel insurance company, and also his UK university.

I wouldn't begin to contemplate contacting the UK embassy/FCO unless you draw a complete blank with both of the above, doing so may not be the best use of your time.

It's a horrible situation to be in, I hope you get some more reassuring news soon - good luck.

I should think that a decent employer would pay to fly you out there and pay accommodation while you are there. Speak to his boss,

Agreed with the others saying don’t rush out there. More info is crucial before you make any decisions. Hope he recovers quickly OP.

Do get into the University now @Moonsick
Worse case scenario prognosis wise they’ll pay for emergency nanny and flights today for you. But the fact that he was able to call you is good.

He will be travelling under his university approved insurance. Take a look at the small prints today then ring his university tomorrow morning. Or you could email his head of school now. They may be checking their emails over the weekend . The university's international office may also be able to help. Best of luck.

Onto. ie call and email them now. This is not the time to be polite and not cause a fuss.

Yes, speak to his boss. I’d like to think that mine would agree to pay for my husband to fly out if I was in this situation while on university business.

I echo other advice re contacting his employer. Also wanted to wish you luck and love.

My husband also required hospital treatment while working abroad. I know it’s terrifying, but I would not rush to fly out there until you have more information.

Does he have a diagnosis? Any idea how long he’s likely to be in hospital? When was he due to return home? I would expect his employer to be providing support (and health insurance) since he’s working, not on holiday.

Don’t rush to book a flight until you know what the problem is. Most people needing critical care can’t text. Phone the hospital and find out the details or phone the embassy and ask them to assess the situation.

It must be very frightening but try not to knee jerk. Find out the details then plan accordingly.

Email as many of his colleagues as you can/know, some/all will be checking emails over the weekend - do you know the head of department? They should be able to make calls to higher university officials who will either be able to put you in touch with the insurer (the insurance certificate should be somewhere on the university website/intranet, someone should get this for you). Your flight should (I hope) be covered by insurance, but the university might also just pay for you to go out there. These are the things I would do in your situation, I also have an academic DH who travels a lot. This is my worst nightmare

The British Embassy, as given above and the University here and in Jakarta are first contacts.

You need to have some indication of what is wrong before making the decision to fly. Your DH was well enough to phone, speak to you and get information.
The symptoms you describe could be down to a UTI. My DH who hadn’t had a day off of work sick for 15 years, had a UTI and he was so ill I dialled 999. He was literally crawling around on all fours, crying, unable to pass anything other than blood. The pain is apparently, much worse in men than in women.

Do you know who he is visiting out there? And do they know he’s in hospital?

I think wait for details. I have everything crossed that you get reassuring news soon.

Not to downplay the seriousness but my friend was admitted to ICU abroad for an illness although she was never unwell enough to have warranted ICU in this country. The insurance company said it was very common because they charge a lot for ICU beds. Hopefully there is an element of this at play here.

Call the university right now followed by the insurance company, bugger waiting until Monday.

If he’s travelling for work, his university travel insurance will have a 24 hour hotline scheme that will sort everything out for you including flying you out if necessary. Try and get onto one of his local colleagues to access details for this.

I understand its easy to go into panic mode, but you posted on here so without realising it you’re already putting the wheels in motion for what needs to done.

Flights are £500 - £600 but I wouldn’t be booking a flight until I had more info. Is he still able to text?

Contact the insurance, university and hospital today, hopefully the practicalities will be dealt with leaving you to clear your head and make a plan.

Hope he recovers quickly.

Don’t wait til Monday as suggested, it’s literally what the International Assist (or equivalent) scheme is for.

I would also say stay at home until you know more. The children will need you for reassurance and it could be very upsetting if they see you panicking and jumping on the first flight. Did he tell you why he's in ICU? Is it life threatening?

1. get in touch with his boss, find out who he was visiting at the university. Get his colleagues to do the connecting with the university in Jakarta
2. Ask about the travel insurance through work. They may cover you to travel if needs be. Again ask the university to do the leg work on that.
3. Try and get a number for an English speaker at the hospital, a mobile preferably. You will need this if your DP loses capacity.
4. Contact the British embassy and get a personal number for a named staff member there. They should send someone to visit him.
5. Don't book anything until you know more. He could have kidney stones e.g., pass it and then be OK to travel on his own.
6. keep your own strength up. Make sure you are eating and drinking properly. You will need your strength.