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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Urgent: should we stay or should we go

109 replies

sef23 · 30/11/2019 11:16

Confused.com. This year we have booked a winter break in New Zealand where my family live - brother lives there and mothers visiting New Zealand as well, she lives in India. Haven't seen them in six years due to fly out dec 5th, back on Nye bargain payment of 2800 for a family of 4, brother has already paid and booked for flights from auckland (where we land) to Wellington. This is our first ever family holiday ever in 13 yrs of marriage and 2 kids.

Big problem - ds whose only 9 broke his arm 4 weeks ago plasters due to come off dec 19th.

They ve agreed to put on a split cast so we can take it off on the flight. Last x ray yesterday showed fracture is still there and still healing.

Hes a bundle of energy cant sit still, theres a high chance of refracture in the first 3 months and a full 12 months required for full repair due to angulation and movement of the bone, basically he broke it at a bad angle. (Green stick fracture in NHS terms).

I know kids heal quickly, but will he enjoy himself out there with a cast on for more than half of his trip? We were planning on lots of travelling and activities. I'm scared he ll hurt himself again and I'm worried about the low pressure on the pain and his arm hurting even though it's been 4 weeks, when they took the cast off yesterday (went round his elbow) to change it for a below elbow one it was still swollen and without the support of the cast it was hurting him.

Docs have said yes fine he can go... but hes not their child and forgive me I've had bad experiences with nhs so far in my life and dont really think some docs think things through properly. Their very busy and we don't really get more than 2 mins of their time and are shooed away pretty quickly.

Can you please give me some sensible advice. Am I being over cautious or right to be cautious I mean we can go to New Zealand again any time and have insurance to cover ticket costs.

Thanks

OP posts:
spacepyramid · 30/11/2019 11:18

I would still go, seeing family is important.

spacepyramid · 30/11/2019 11:19

^ Mainly because if you haven't seen them in six years it's not likely that you can go to NZ any time or you'd have done it before?

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 30/11/2019 11:20

Go.

Are you sure the insurance would cover the costs if doctors have cleared him to travel?

NannyR · 30/11/2019 11:20

I would still go as well. Would the insurance cover cancelling the trip if a doctor has said he's ok to travel?

chipsandpeas · 30/11/2019 11:20

id go

BambooBoobam · 30/11/2019 11:22

I would still go. You’ve not seen them in years, why if it’s another 6 years before you can se them again?

Just make sure your travel insurance company is aware that you ds has a broken arm etc.

Namechanger23455 · 30/11/2019 11:23

Yeah I’d go! If the docs thought he shouldn’t busy or not they would tell you!

Namechanger23455 · 30/11/2019 11:24

Your brother would also lose out on his
Flights, this wouldn’t b covered by travel insurance

DrReed · 30/11/2019 11:24

I'd go

Dontdisturbmenow · 30/11/2019 11:24

DS broke his arm 4 times (as well as his finger). Two were minors, but one was more serious and one all the way through (higher arm). That was from the age of 5 to 14.

He never had any issue once the vast was removed. The first couple of days, he would be a bit anxious, and with the big break, there was still some very mild pain, but nothing that stopped him doing anything he did before. He was back playing tennis, football and over activities within a week.

I wouldn't worry too much.

Grandmi · 30/11/2019 11:24

Go ...it’s a no brainier !! Have a fabulous time.

hazeydays14 · 30/11/2019 11:28

Can’t speak for all insurance companies but the one I used to work for wouldn’t accept cancellation unless a doctor deemed the person unfit to fly unfortunately.

If the doctor has confirmed he is fit to fly insurance should cover any costs if anything should happen whilst you’re away and you probably wouldn’t have to inform them if you’ve purchased cover for just that trip but it’s probably best to give them a call just in case.

CMOTDibbler · 30/11/2019 11:29

Make sure to take Calpol and Calprofen sachets with you for the flight, and a fleece blanket so you can roll it up and support his arm on the flights. He'll be fine and will enjoy himself while he's there.

purpleme12 · 30/11/2019 11:30

I agree it's a no brainer!
Even if he was in pain and hurt himself again it would have to be a lot more serious than this to stop me going on a holiday never mind one like this so far away seeing family!

HeronLanyon · 30/11/2019 11:30

Yes I too would go - obviously it’s not ideal. Agree 100% have good insurance and as a first step make sure you know how to access medical treatment when there easily etc.
One of my siblings when kids (around same age) travelled all round Europe on van/camping trip with cast/plaster which couldn’t get wet etc due to very bad cut/lots of stitches/pain suffered in first week of long trip. They look back and thank god we kept going and had fun that summer. It’s amazing what kids deal with.
Feels like negatives would be far outweighed by amazing holiday !
Have fun - hope you all go.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 30/11/2019 11:31

Of course you should still go.

It is an unfortunate complication. Nothing more than that. Have a great time and I hope your DS heals well.

NoHummus · 30/11/2019 11:33

What?! Of course you should go. Your son will be fine.

Original poster
sef23 · 30/11/2019 11:33

The flight is 28 hours in total..... long time with low pressure even though split cast (so taken off to allow for swelling put back on take off back on etc) and a break not healed

OP posts:
DonKeyshot · 30/11/2019 11:35

Go! He'll be fine and the sun will speed the healing process by topping up his vitamin d levels - make sure he gets 20 mins of early-ish morning sun before you slather him in sunscreen.

When you return to these dreary shores find an age-appropriate vitamin d and calcium supplement and keep him on it until our summer comes round again.

HunnyMummy1993 · 30/11/2019 11:36

I broke my arm badly at that age. It was fine once the cast came off. Kids heal quickly.

Go

ittakes2 · 30/11/2019 11:37

I am not a medical professional but my son had a green stick fracture at the age of 7 - my understanding was by greenstick it was more the bone has buckled than actually cracked as their bones at this age are soft. We had a similar story as were flying from UK to Australia 4 weeks into healing so they put on a soft caste on it so we could peel it off when needed. My son is now 13 and just broke his collar bone - ironically 4 weeks before we are going to Oz again! His arm is in a sling. Go you will be fine.

Bunkerlife · 30/11/2019 11:37

Your insurance company will require medical evidence that your son is unfit to fly, given that Dr has already declared him fit to fly you are unlikely to be able to obtain the necessary evidence.
Yes his arm may well swell during the flight, yes he may experience some pain but he will have a fantastic holiday and the flight home will be better.

Xyzzzzz · 30/11/2019 11:38

If the doctor has cleared you to fly I’d go

stucknoue · 30/11/2019 11:39

Go, they have excellent health services there and I think (check) there's reciprocal arrangements with the U.K., it's worth calling your travel insurance company for advice though

juls1888 · 30/11/2019 11:39

100% go