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.

To the op if you want to PM I am more than happy...

I know a few people who’ve had dengue and fully recovered although it seemed to leave them fatigued for quite a long time. Once it’s all under control and he’s discharged, chances are that he’ll still feel pretty worn out and need help coming back. Might be worth working out which family member should be ready to go over and help him back and ensure the insurers will cover that (think you mentioned it should be covered) and also may want to check if a visa or anything like that is needed for travel there and relevant passport is in date.

All the best OP, must be stressful and worrying for you but sounds like you’re handling it really well even if you don’t feel that way. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery

I suspect that DH's assertion that he wasn't covered might have been that he was demanding a medivac/Air Ambulance in his panic, pain and distress, as he did to the OP. That wouldn't be covered - it's not medically necessary - and it's doubtful he was listening beyond 'we wouldn't be able to cover that'.

So, having briefly read up on Dengue fever, it can cause leaky blood vessels, low platelets and low blood pressure. There is some overlap here in terms of what happened to my husband re Sepsis. He was hooked up to so many machines and had so many cannulas and central lines. There are lots of courses of treatment for these: blood cleansing/electrolyte transfusion (similar to being hooked up to a dialysis machine), iv antibiotics, IV fluids (they can increase fluid levels to help ensure blood pressure increases and can (they blew my husband up like blueberry girl), if needs be, give adrenelin shots to restrict blood flow to limbs to protect major organs. Whilst his treatment will inevitably differ a little from my husband's, there does appear to be a lot of overlap. So, there will be lots of very clever machinery operating and he will be constantly monitored and treated. It's actually better that he's in Jakarta as they will be much more used to dealing with this than in the UK.

Now for a few practicalities: clean clothes/underwear/lounge wear/toothbrushes etc. In a few days he'll be most likely wanting these. Can you arrange for a colleague to purchase some or for you to send some to a colleague via FedEx or buy online. Or can another relative fly out there and help out?

If he's discharged in a few days, he might need a hotel room for a few days before getting a flight home. Insurance may be able to organise this. If not, you might have to.

You must be feeling utterly exhausted. Is your mum going to stay with you to give you some moral support for a few days? Look after yourself too.

Also, if you need help researching anything,but are too tired,post your questions here and I'm sure that Mumsnetters will research stuff for you.

Good luck I hope you hear better news soon, @Moonsick

He's in the right place to be treated for Dengue fever. He definitely needs to stay put, the doctors there are the experts. it's hardly ever treated in the UK, we just don't see it enough.

You’ve made real headway OP, I’m relieved for you.

Keep us posted on progress and hope the kids are feeling better.

Be kind to yourself too

Pleased the car collection was smooth. Hoping you continue to get good news over the next few days.

My niece is married to an Indonesian and fell ill whilst visiting his family in Jakarta - had nothing but praise for the quality of care in the hospital.

My DH used to visit Japan frequently on business and had a painful kidney stone episode there. Fortunately, he had superb help from both the hotel and from his company’s local staff but it was very concerning hearing him in pain on the other side of the world. I felt very helpless.

It’s quite heartening to see all the reassurance, support and helpful advice for the OP on here. mumsnet at its best.

Been thinking about you @moonsick. I hope you know more about your husband's condition and insurance. I hope he is home soon and all is sorted. The paperwork and the worry must be mind boggling. Keep well

Just coming say thinking of you op.

Hope he is well, op. Just to give you some reassurance, I used to live in Asia and have had lots of friends who dengue. It’s miserable, but manageable. I’ve also both been a patient in and taken friends to lots of Asian hospitals (obviously that is a really general categorisation!), but it was amazing care in all.

One flight won’t put you in huge debt. That’s very dramatic

I'm shocked someone could say this. Not everyone lives a privileged life, where money isn't a worry. Right now, I'm worrying about how to feed my family until the 18th of the month, when I get my next UC payment.

OP I hope he ends up being well. All the best.

How's he doing today OP?

Hope all is going smoothly still op

How worrying

If he contracted dengue fever whilst there on business for the university, I would damn well expect their insurance to cover him, even if he was actually hospitalised the day after the specific work ended.

Exactly, @CallmeAngelina

That he was hospitalised after the meetings/business was concluded is beside the point. The only reason he was there was for the university - therefore, their insurance should cover him.

@Moonsick

Any updates? How are you all getting on?

been there and I concur that a dengue zone is the best place to get treated. They know what they are doing. The pain that gives it the name of 'breakbone fever' fortunately does not last more than a day or so (that was terrifying) although the rash may.

two things to note: this will absolutely exhaust him for many weeks, possibly longer, so think sick leave for quite some time. And I'm afraid that he needs to think hard about ever returning to any tropical place because dengue once is bad enough, dengue twice is much worse.

I wish him a good recovery. And that a vaccine is developed soon because obviously millions have to live with it.

Hello OP, hope you’re okay. How is your husband doing?

Such a worrying time for you Op
Pleased you’ve had some good advice on here and I hope he makes a quick recovery and is soon reunited with his family.

@Moonsick. How is your husband doing? Is he home? Did insurance come to the party in the end?

I hope your dh got home safely Moonsick