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Original poster

Looking for solution for upcoming holiday disaster(sorry so long)

56 replies

MrsMitford3 · 08/06/2022 14:19

We (like many) have not had a holiday in 3 years. House in Europe booked. We are driving with one DC and other DC/partners are flying in for short portions as work allows. Other family members from USA coming so a much anticipated break.

DC (early 20's) has fallen and badly broken leg. Needs surgery next week and will be non weight bearing for 6 weeks, our holiday is in 4.

Options:
A.Leave this DC home to make matters worse over their birthday will need care as in pain, fairly helpless/unable to move and dyspraxic so not very competent on crutches. Needs twice daily injections to prevent clots. I already don't think this a viable option. Think would struggle to feed the cat much less themself.

B.Drive with us instead of flying but DC too tall and can't really stretch leg out across back in our current car for 12 hour drive and then other DC will need to fly instead.

C.Fly as originally planned but was flying on own-think will find it so offputting as to not want to go-in a lot of pain now and super stressed

D. Someone (DH) fly back and fly out with him

E. Hire some sort of larger van that he can stretch out more comfortably in and drive with us-any ideas?? Going through the Tunnel

Does anyone have any suggestions of what we could hire to fit him or other combinations of how we do it?

Selfishly I don't want to stay behind to fly with DC later if at all possible as it is my extended family meeting us who I haven't seen in years due to pandemic. They have flights booked and arrangements set.

I know a very first world problem but feel sick seeing all we had planned and looked forward to in ruins...

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 08/06/2022 14:25

I don’t think you’d be comfortable leaving your DC on their own for their birthday, apart from any other considerations. Perhaps a larger vehicle, with room to stretch out might be viable.

summer22now · 08/06/2022 14:26

I'd do C) because in 4 weeks your DC will be much better, and can get special assistance through the airport. They won't be in as much pain.

If, 4 weeks on they ARE still really suffering, then I'd re-evaluate B.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 08/06/2022 14:26

Hire a larger vehicle and drive them

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TokyoSushi · 08/06/2022 14:28

Things might be very different in 4 weeks. I think I'd keep the flying option for now and reassess a little nearer the time.

BarbaraofSeville · 08/06/2022 14:29

Oh dear.

DS might not be able to fly for medical/insurance reasons and any travel or possibly uninsured due to the risk of complications while abroad.

Is your travel insurance for the whole booking or does everyone have separate travel insurance? It could be that you could claim for cancellation or rebooking of the whole lot if everyone is on the same policy, you have to ask.

Can you stay at home and have the family gathering at your house with extra accommodation as necessary instead?

HoppingPavlova · 08/06/2022 14:30

What sort of car do you have and how many will be in it?

I had one DS in same position you describe and had leg braces straight for several weeks and then external brace adjusted to allow for movement bit by bit after that being in it 3 months in total.

They were able to travel by car when their leg was braced straight, just needed front passenger seat pushed right back and you soon establish a system of getting them in/out the car. DH has smaller car and it worked but was more of a faff than my car which is the larger SUV type Mumsnetters love to hate. They would have been able to do a 12hr drive in either car, just faff getting in/out but as I said you do establish a working system quite quickly.

Also found that once leg was immobilised, the pain was under control very quickly, not like pre-op and immobilisation.

What’s the set-up at the house you have hired? Steps up into it? Steps up into bedroom level or all on one level?

BattenburgDonkey · 08/06/2022 14:30

I’d go D, then someone is flying with them.

underneaththeash · 08/06/2022 14:33

I think your DH should just plan to stay with him and then drive out if feeling up to it.

minipie · 08/06/2022 14:33

I agree that things will look much better in 4 weeks.

I would go with option C with D as a back up. However I would first get advice from doctors on whether the break is a problem for flying as will need fit to fly certificate. If there’s any doubt of whether that will be given then I’d go for B. Surely nobody is so tall they can’t sit sideways across a whole back row of a car?

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 08/06/2022 14:33

I've just had ankle surgery, was non weight bearing and had to inject, I was banned from flying due to clot risk. Would the insurance cover any complications?

I was meant to be in plaster and non weight bearing but healed so well I'm at 6 weeks that and walking around normally. And just wearing an ankle support when I leave the house. So the recovery could be a bit better than hoped.

Find out the answer to my first point, that may tell you all you need to know. And actually risk of clot from long drive probably worse than flying

Itsmomnotmum64 · 08/06/2022 14:34

My DC had a very bad break and ended up having surgery on his femur, with metal rods and screws etc attached.

Four weeks really did make a difference in the pain he was in, and his mobility - so things may not be as dire as you think.

Hope your DC has a good holiday after their accident.

timbee2b · 08/06/2022 14:35

They might be advised not to fly or undertake long car journeys because of the dvt risk. Has DC discussed this with their orthopaedic team?

I think I would cancel and get everyone together at home instead.

HoppingPavlova · 08/06/2022 14:37

Should have added, no way my DS could have flown with his leg brace on post-op. The only workable way would have been leg sticking straight out into aisle prohibiting the trolleys and also risk of injuring it with people tripping over it/bumping into it. Even the front bassinet row would not have worked as he needed something under leg to keep it up at same level when sitting down as it was stuck straight. Those seats are the first to book out when flights open up and irrespective it’s not even possible on a flight. I think the only option would be on a medi-stretcher on a flight and you’d need to contact airline direct and look at feasibility.

Realistically, he can’t be left at home. If necessary can your DH stay at home with him if it’s your relatives from the USA that are meeting up with you?

TinaYouFatLard · 08/06/2022 14:37

Scrap option A - if he can’t weight bear then he won’t even be able to carry a cup of tea from the kitchen.

think I’d go with option D. There will be assistance in the airport and someone to help him.

I badly broke my leg while skiing and had to fly home! I then flew long haul while I was still non weight bearing and on crutches. It was a pain in the bum but doable.

TheRoadToRuin · 08/06/2022 14:38

Surely nobody is so tall they can’t sit sideways across a whole back row of a car? My DS wouldn't be able to sit sideways. He's 6'4". It would be extremely uncomfortable anway.
I suspect he won't be allowed to fly due to clot risk. Find out now and your options may be clearer.
I would ring your insurer now and find out what the obstacles would be. You'd have to tell them anyway about a new health issue. It might be a no or it might cost more.

motogirl · 08/06/2022 14:41

I would give it 2 weeks, I suspect c is the best course (uncomfortable but faster) and in 4 weeks he'll feel a lot better. Book airport assistance and boarding assistance if not a airbridge flight

motogirl · 08/06/2022 14:41

I would give it 2 weeks, I suspect c is the best course (uncomfortable but faster) and in 4 weeks he'll feel a lot better. Book airport assistance and boarding assistance if not a airbridge flight

Original poster
MrsMitford3 · 08/06/2022 14:42

Thank you so much for the replies-

I know things will be different in 4 weeks-just at a very low point right now with pain, mobility and disappointment etc.

Anyone with a suggestion for a van type thing to hire-we are def throwing money at it at this point-and as he is on the sofa 12 hours a day I didn't think that much different than in the car?

and @TinaYouFatLard you are so right-I felt that even as I typed it!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 08/06/2022 14:45

Surely nobody is so tall they can’t sit sideways across a whole back row of a car

Even if they cann, will it be possible for him to wear a seat belt correctly?

If you're driving, but can't sit comfortably/safely in a car, and isn't medically cleared to fly, would the train be an option?

steppemum · 08/06/2022 14:45

I had a badly broken ankle, operated and pinned.
First 2 week horrendous. Then a proper plaster was able to be put on.
Then uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, and then a thousand times better.

So i would say in 4 weeks they will be in very different place.

BUT I do that 12 drive across Europe every summer, and I would not have been able to sit in a car with my foot in footwell. I would have needed the foot up on back seat.

steppemum · 08/06/2022 14:48

also, I think flying with leg like that may be a high risk of thrombosis, I am not sure they can fly.

mumwon · 08/06/2022 14:49

Where are you going to? is it possible to go by train? this is def possible to France, Belgium & Netherlands & possibly northern Spain or Italy?

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 08/06/2022 14:52

Are you sure he will be cleared to travel? And covered?

Being in a car for 12 hours us v different from being on a sofa, different angles, more room on sofa etc. And if he's in plaster you need to watch for skiing, being in a car with foot down makes mine swell massively

Boredsoentertainme · 08/06/2022 14:55

I’m not sure flying is an option. There needs to be a special cast for flying due to swelling etc, it would need to be signed off by a doctor, but it’s likely it’s simply not an option.

as such, I think it’s hire a van or large vehicle and go that way.

Ilovechoc12 · 08/06/2022 15:05

Rent a Merc v class LONG wheel base van. Small wheel base is too small. They drive like cars so smooth , so easy. Very plush seats he will be good in there or you can take out seats for extra space - he will defo fit in there to stretch out. Get automatic too

Or Vw caravelle but drives like a van - bit rougher and bouncy in the back - not smooth. My kids always hated going in the back of a caravelle so I wouldn’t want to do long drive with this van but it’s trendy haha

can you tell I’ve owned a lot of vans in my life with my 4 children 🤪

hope you have fun!