WIBU to fly abroad with pneumonia and DC with a chest infection?

[OreoBiscuitPie]

We are due to leave on Wednesday to go to Canada. DH’s sister lives there, he hasn’t seen her for 15 years and has never met his niece and nephew who are 11 and 4. There’s a long complicated story as to why it has been like this but basically his family are from a poor country in Eastern Europe, managed to emigrate to Canada eventually, but DH’s mum couldn’t get residency so they all got deported and essentially banned from the country, the sister was allowed to stay as was an adult had a Canadian partner by then. DH was only a teenager at the time. After years of fighting with the Canadian immigration system and an appeal involving an immigration lawyer we managed to get the ban overturned so he can finally visit his sister for 2 weeks. We don’t earn particularly well and it took a lot of saving.

We’re going with our 3 year old. This trip has been planned for 2 years. Sod’s Law, we all caught Covid about a month ago. DH recovered very quickly. Me and DD recovered quickly too but have since both developed chest infections. It seemed to go away then come back. DD has been checked out at a walk-in centre a few days ago and now on treatment, she is recovering and only has the lingering cough now and no temperature or chills but she’s still not 100% herself.

I went to GP yesterday to finally sort myself out. I’ve had the cough, green mucus and headaches etc but I’ve not bothered about myself as I’ve been so worried about DD. With her finally on the mend I’ve finally found the energy to get myself seen. GP didn’t like sound of my chest and sent me to walk-in centre where I was diagnosed with fucking walking pneumonia. Advised by doctors that it’s not recommend to fly but that if absolutely necessary then I can.

I was so excited to meet DH’s sister and kids and vice versa. DH desperate for his daughter to meet his sister. I feel as though we have to go, and I want to, but my family are worried and telling me not to. I feel there’s no choice. We’ve been advised we’re not contagious to others. In a way I think it might help me recover as we’ll be guests so I can take things a bit easy and have someone cook for me, not be cleaning or cooking etc like I would be at home, so maybe it will help me recover? AIBU?

Insurance should refund your cancellation costs, so you should be able to book again.

Please don't fly with pneumonia, it can be very dangerous to you, and your travel insurance definitely wouldn't cover you if you became more unwell and needed treatment abroad (or even a plane divert!)

Not the point of the thread, but I'm just curious, how is she godmother to DC if they have never met?

There needs to be a third option for this thread as well as YABU/YANBU.

Don't be so fucking stupid.

I got pleural sepsis and empyema from pneumonia - tbf mine was misdiagnosed twice... so I was very late getting antibiotics and wound up in hospital - needing chest drains for 6 weeks and thoracic surgery. I obviously highly recommend not taking any risks with your lung health. I've not even risked flying this year at all and was given all clear in March as my lung has scaring. If you've not had an x ray you don't know the state or condition of your lung - is there any chance you could ask for this?

Have you spoken to your insurance ?

Fallacy of dink costs OP.
The money is already spent, but you could end up bankrupt if you get seriously ill over there and your medical insurance don't pay up. Esp since you travelled against medical advice.

Sunk*

are you sure your child hasn't got pneumonia as well? They need to be checked, it's very serious in children

Only entering the ER before you’re even seen is CAD$1,500. Asks me how I know. Doctor charges separately and anyone else that has to see you.
all payment info etc is taken before you go to the waiting room; so you can’t be seen and then ‘figure it out’

I don't think you know the meaning of the word heartbroken, but your husband will find out the meaning of it if you die because you flew against medical advice.

This might not be the answer.
I feel for you OP

Your husband needs to go alone. Walking pneumonia is no joke, you won’t necessarily be fine and if you go like this your travel insurance will be invalid

You need to stay on antibiotics and fly out a week later.

You aren’t necessary for the trip.

DD doesn’t have pneumonia thankfully, but still a stubborn chest infection according to doctor who saw her at walk-in centre. It’s clearing up since antibiotics but she’s still a bit lethargic and clingy. Not herself at all. Completely uninterested in our dog who she usually plays with all day, still off her food etc

So neither of you should fly, and your DH should go on his own.

Please don't stand in the way of him seeing his sister.

Firstly, there’s the contagious issue - but you mention you’re past that point.
But more importantly, if you’re still unwell and you take seriously ill on the flight, what’s the plan? Struggle through, and hope for the best, get treatment on landing. Or get an entire flight diverted & delay everyone on board.
I know it’s really difficult, but I think you know it’s not wise to travel. Can you defer for a week and meet DH for the 2nd week maybe?

OP, unless you've previously had chest problems, I would have thought your travel insurance should pay out if you have to cancel on doctors recommendation.

Your dh should go on his own

Yeah that seriously sucks and I do feel for you but you already know the answer.

You won’t be covered for a pre existing condition before you travel by insurance. Any doctors visit will be hundreds (I am Canadian so understand the system). They won’t treat you unless you have a health card (you don’t), insurance (you don’t) or give them money. Seriously.

So maybe that’s doable. If you end up in hospital it will be thousands and thousands though and you are legally obligated to pay it.

Or you get an embolism on the plane and they have to suddenly land - possible death, hospital cost and additional travel (because this won’t be covered either).

Sorry OP but you are playing with serious fire.

Can you claim on travel insurance and rebook the whole trip for when you are well?
so sorry this has happened

DH should go anyway. DD might well be much better by Wednesday, wait and see. You probably shouldn't go.

Your travel insurance will cover this if you have been advised not to fly by a medical professional. They won't pay if you need medical treatment when you have travelled against medical advice. That bill could potentially vastly exceed £1000.

He might not have explicitly pressured you

but all this “DH will be devastated” hysteria would indicate that he is very much applying pressure

This if you don’t say you have pneumonia then insurance is invalid and Canadian free healthcare does not cover you.

how much is the insurance increase?

Your travel insurance should cover the costs of cancelling if you have been advised not to fly. You will likely need your GP to complete a form.

Pleased to hear that you are not thinking of going however disappointing. If you need medical evidence over there and don't have insurance cover that could be incredibly expensive. Much more than the cost of moving the flights or your insurance excess.