Congenital Heart disease

[debnjoe1438]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has cruised with a child who has a congenital heart disease? In case of emergency do cruise ships have enough medical equipment to keep a heart patient stable until they can get to a hospital (or transport to)?

 

I have a 6yo grandson with Shones Syndrome, fortunately no surgies, complications or other issues so far, who I would like to take on a cruise along with his father. His mother has concerns with the possible need for medical care and being on a ship and out of the country.

 

I can understand the concerns,...

[Essiesmom]

There are several issues to consider here:

How comfortable are you/his parents in having him on a floating hotel with a basic clinic? Maybe a day or more from medical assistance, and that medical care in a third world country? A country that will require cash or a credit card before treatment, because your insurance will not cover care. And you would need travel insurance, but even if you have it, you still have to pay up front and file for reimbursement.

How often does your grandson need to see a doctor? Many people with heart conditions travel regularly without problems.

Lastly, what does the pediatrician/cardiac specialist say? EM

[katyjeka]

For starters, I would talk to his doctor's. You may want to consider a shorter cruise, or one that stays in the Bahama's. You would be closer to Florida in case of an emergency.

[6rugrats]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has cruised with a child who has a congenital heart disease? In case of emergency do cruise ships have enough medical equipment to keep a heart patient stable until they can get to a hospital (or transport to)?

 

I have a 6yo grandson with Shones Syndrome, fortunately no surgies, complications or other issues so far, who I would like to take on a cruise along with his father. His mother has concerns with the possible need for medical care and being on a ship and out of the country.

 

I can understand the concerns,...

I'll have to side with mom. You know what his prognosis is, and that this condition usually worsens with time. This is not the same as some adults cruising with a heart problem. You are lucky there have been no complications/surgeries. He must have an incomplete form. There are so many issues to consider here.

 

No, a ship is not the place for a child to be with a very serious heart condition. There is no guarantee the doctor onboard would even be familiar with the treatment of this syndrome. It's not that common.

 

Even if you have travel insurance (and there's no way you should travel with this child w/o it), you are going to ruin the vacations of everyone on board if the ship has to detour to a port for your grandchild's medical emergency. And, would you want to put your grandson through the trauma of a medical evacuation at sea? I don't think so.

 

I actually think it's really a bad idea to consider cruising for this child. There are so many great land vacations you could take, where you are near medical attention. Please listen to his mom and reconsider a cruise.

[katyjeka]

Just wanted to add, you would not "ruin my vacation" if we had to make a stop for a medical emergency. I find this comment a little harsh, as an emergency can happen to anyone. When thousands of people travel on a ship for a week or longer, any perfectly healthy person could have a number of things go wrong, as well as the crew.

[cb at sea]

The child's doctor is the one to tell you if a cruise is in his future. Ships are fine with everyday "emergencies"...like cuts, bruises, tummyaches, etc....if you are relying on them for life-support....not so much, IMO!

 

Talk to the child's doctor...if he/she says, "Ok", then go for it. If they express concern..don't. The ship's medical center is NOT for major life support issues. If you suspect you might need something more than moderate care...don't cruise. Really.

[kassimer1]

I would definitely not take your grandson on carvival. The medical care my son got when he fell and lacerated his head and could not remember what happened or the minutes following the fall were horrendous. Those people refused to acknowledge that he could have a concussion, they refused to ship him off the boat, get xrays or treat his other injuries. he ended up with a concussion ( he was very lethargic and i had to keep waking him up and it was early afternoon. Teens dont sleep in the afternoon) and tendonitis in his elbow with a bone chip or something floating in his elbow. They didnt even have antibiotic cream for the wound after they stitched it without shaving the dirty hair out of the way even though i asked then to!!!! they said they do not carry Antibiotic cream. They will only stop the boat and fly someone off if they choose to. cruises are great fun and we now use royal carribean, but have not had to use thier medical. I did ask on here about royals medical and they seem to have better care from the responces i got. But a doctor or nurse could be wonderful with adult serious conditions but have no clue what to do for a serious pediatric event. I am a respiratory therapist and am pediatric and neonatal advanced life support certified , If they would not listen to another medical professional's opinion that has had this certification I doubt they would do any better for your grandson. If you do decide to go on a cruise I would ask if the medical personel have been certified for pediatric advanced life support and not just the regular CPR that covers a small portion on children. I am sure your grandson is the most prescious person you know. Is his well being worth the chance that things will not go ok and you wont need the help.

[debnjoe1438]

Thanks for all the input

 

Would definately ask the doc before cruising

 

He see's the cardiologist no more than once a year. (Yea, I know how blessed and lucky we are)

 

3 or 4 day Bahamas would be about all I'd be brave enough to do with him. (Not too terribly far from Miami and the congenital heart institute, which his physician is part of in Orlando)

 

I missed the "ruin my cruise" comment:confused: I have a tendency to scan more than read every word.

[nothriver]

There are lots of videos on YouTube showing at sea medical evacs. I would NOT want my ill child to be evacuated off a cruise ship in this manner. I'm not familiar with your grandsons condition, but I'm leaning toward "no" I don't think I'd take the risk, even if it is a remote risk, with the limited medical facilities youd find onboard.

[6rugrats]

Just wanted to add, you would not "ruin my vacation" if we had to make a stop for a medical emergency. I find this comment a little harsh, as an emergency can happen to anyone. When thousands of people travel on a ship for a week or longer, any perfectly healthy person could have a number of things go wrong, as well as the crew.

It's not harsh, nothing bad was meant by this, but this child is not "perfectly healthy". I asked the resident expert on heart conditions in my household. This is a rare and very serious condition. Most people with this problem do not have a long life expectancy, and I am quite surprised OP's grandson has not had any surgery or complications, as this comes with this condition. It's very, very rare to not have had many surgeries by his age and I wonder what's going on. Perhaps he is one of the lucky ones.

 

I wish them the very best, but stand by my original post. Taking a cruise is not indicated for someone with this condition.

[debnjoe1438]

It's not harsh, nothing bad was meant by this, but this child is not "perfectly healthy". I asked the resident expert on heart conditions in my household. This is a rare and very serious condition. Most people with this problem do not have a long life expectancy, and I am quite surprised OP's grandson has not had any surgery or complications, as this comes with this condition. It's very, very rare to not have had many surgeries by his age and I wonder what's going on. Perhaps he is one of the lucky ones.

 

I wish them the very best, but stand by my original post. Taking a cruise is not indicated for someone with this condition.

 

I'd say we are very lucky and blessed (grandma prayes a lot) Looking at this child no one would know he has any problems what so ever. The cardiologist had told the parents not to treat him any differently than any other child. He's very smart, active, and healthy.

 

Yea, I know how serious the condition is. I have a coworker whose son has shones. Thank God he is doing well, however he has had several surgeries. His heart has been converted from double ventricle to a single ventricle heart. The physicians had suggested a heart transplant for him, however if he would have had one at around 2 or 3 years he would have needed another one around 9 or 10. Evidently transplanted organs don't grow.

[6rugrats]

Thank you debnjoe1438 for your good attitude. I hope you all can work something out, and wish your grandson continues to do so well!

 

Yes, most children will usually require retransplantation at some point, due to coronary artery disease, which develops in a transplanted heart.

[russianmom]

My son was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and had complete heart block post repair. He has had a pacemaker since he was 4 months old.

 

He has had to have the pacemaker replaced twice in 2010- don't ask....

 

He also has a host of other complex medical issues. His cardiologist and all of the other specialists are fine with him traveling and cruising.

 

I always buy the travel insurance and he is is getting ready to go on his 5th cruise in April.

 

As a nurse for the past 21 years I am well aware of the amount and nature of care that is available on a cruise ship and in most foreign countries.

 

We treasure him and spend every day enjoying what time we have with him and he loves to cruise.

 

I think the decision should be between your son and your grandson's doctors and their level of comfort with the type of care available in an emergency on a cruise ship.

[debnjoe1438]

My son was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and had complete heart block post repair. He has had a pacemaker since he was 4 months old.

 

He has had to have the pacemaker replaced twice in 2010- don't ask....

 

He also has a host of other complex medical issues. His cardiologist and all of the other specialists are fine with him traveling and cruising.

 

I always buy the travel insurance and he is is getting ready to go on his 5th cruise in April.

 

As a nurse for the past 21 years I am well aware of the amount and nature of care that is available on a cruise ship and in most foreign countries.

 

We treasure him and spend every day enjoying what time we have with him and he loves to cruise.

 

I think the decision should be between your son and your grandson's doctors and their level of comfort with the type of care available in an emergency on a cruise ship.

 

Thanks for your input. I wish the best for you and your son. Before I plan the next "family" cruise, I will have my son sit down with the cardiologist.

 

I am a coder and it breaks my heart everytime I open a chart on a child who has had heart surgery. In the back of my min, I know someday it could be my grandson. (Of course I wouldn't be coding his account)

[debnjoe1438]

Thank you debnjoe1438 for your good attitude. I hope you all can work something out, and wish your grandson continues to do so well!

 

Yes, most children will usually require retransplantation at some point, due to coronary artery disease, which develops in a transplanted heart.

 

Your welcome, is your "resident expert" in the medical field? Just courious.

[huneymoonerz]

I think there may be better options state-side. Also, it sounds like his mom isn't keen and you don't want to upset that apple cart!

[6rugrats]

I think the decision should be between your son and your grandson's doctors and their level of comfort with the type of care available in an emergency on a cruise ship.

Yes, you are right. Anyone should always consult with their doctor, and make sure that both they, and the medical professional understand exactly what facilities are available. They aren't the same on every ship. Have a great cruise in April!

 

Your welcome, is your "resident expert" in the medical field? Just courious.

Yes, and I have heard more than I ever wanted to about hearts :). But, it has made me more aware of everything that can go wrong, and it's certainly a good incentive to take care of yourself. Good luck.

[celle]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has cruised with a child who has a congenital heart disease? In case of emergency do cruise ships have enough medical equipment to keep a heart patient stable until they can get to a hospital (or transport to)?

 

I have a 6yo grandson with Shones Syndrome, fortunately no surgies, complications or other issues so far, who I would like to take on a cruise along with his father. His mother has concerns with the possible need for medical care and being on a ship and out of the country.

I can understand the concerns,...

 

I think you've already received good advice here, particularly about getting the opinion of your grandson's doctors.

 

I would like to stress that your daughter-in-law needs to be included in the discussions with the doctors (as well as your son) and she is the one who needs to be assured that cruise travel will be safe for her son.

 

I know that you would love to take your grandson on a cruise, but his mother must be happy about that, too. Upsetting a daughter-in-law over this is a can of worms that you really don't want to open!

[red88]

Hi,

 

Thought I'd chime in. Our 7 year old daughter has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and she's cruised with us before and she's coming with us on a 14 night Celebrity Caribbean Cruise this November.

 

We run everything by her cardiologist (who has given us their blessing to take the cruise) and always purchase the trip insurance and we pack extra medication in case our trip gets delayed. She participates in the kids clubs activities (yes we make the staff aware of her medical condition) as she knows her limits and will stop to rest if she gets fatigued. We bring her wet suit with us as she gets cold in the pools sometimes.

 

We've only had to see the medical staff once, on a NCL cruise two years back (something non cardiac related) and they commented she was the best behaved child they had ever seen (she's seen so many doctors in her short life that being in a doctor's office is second nature).

 

As long as the child's parents and doctors are fine with it then I think it's a great idea. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.

[live2cruise2011]

I'll have to side with mom. You know what his prognosis is, and that this condition usually worsens with time. This is not the same as some adults cruising with a heart problem. You are lucky there have been no complications/surgeries. He must have an incomplete form. There are so many issues to consider here.

 

No, a ship is not the place for a child to be with a very serious heart condition. There is no guarantee the doctor onboard would even be familiar with the treatment of this syndrome. It's not that common.

 

Even if you have travel insurance (and there's no way you should travel with this child w/o it), you are going to ruin the vacations of everyone on board if the ship has to detour to a port for your grandchild's medical emergency. And, would you want to put your grandson through the trauma of a medical evacuation at sea? I don't think so.

 

I actually think it's really a bad idea to consider cruising for this child. There are so many great land vacations you could take, where you are near medical attention. Please listen to his mom and reconsider a cruise.

 

 

My child has a very serious Heart condition if I followed your advice he would never experience anything... these children are not made of glass there is a way to prepare them to experience life I know many kids with Shones that experience life and travel. Yes my son has a heart condition and yes my child is terminal No my child is not going to stay home and wait to die. like you are suggesting to this grandparent. Yes many land travels are fine but my heart child actually likes cruising her grandchild deserves the chance to try this with his grandma and his dad

[grandma*knows*best]

My child has a very serious Heart condition if I followed your advice he would never experience anything... these children are not made of glass there is a way to prepare them to experience life I know many kids with Shones that experience life and travel. Yes my son has a heart condition and yes my child is terminal No my child is not going to stay home and wait to die. like you are suggesting to this grandparent. Yes many land travels are fine but my heart child actually likes cruising her grandchild deserves the chance to try this with his grandma and his dad

 

Your post is quite an overreaction to 6rugrats. He/she did not suggest that the OP's grandchild sit at home and do nothing! It was simply suggested that cruising may not be appropriate for someone with a very serious medical condition. Don't take things so personally, especially when this post was not directed at you, but was just an opinion which the OP asked for. Why would you even care what a stranger thinks anyway? You as a parent can do what you think is best for your child.

[6rugrats]

My child has a very serious Heart condition if I followed your advice he would never experience anything... these children are not made of glass there is a way to prepare them to experience life I know many kids with Shones that experience life and travel. Yes my son has a heart condition and yes my child is terminal No my child is not going to stay home and wait to die. like you are suggesting to this grandparent. Yes many land travels are fine but my heart child actually likes cruising her grandchild deserves the chance to try this with his grandma and his dad

 

How you came to that conclusion based on my post is unknown to me. You are full of hyperbole.

 

Never did I say this child should not travel and experience life. Merely suggested that being out-of-reach of a medical facility on a cruise ship many miles from shore, may not be the best travel choice for this particular child.

 

And, I gave you absolutely no advice; my post was directed to the OP, based on her grandson's condition and the information she provided. Take the rather large chip off your shoulder. You are dealing with a difficult situation, but really, you have no idea what any other poster here is dealing with themselves.

 

Many people have medical conditons which prevents them from participating in certain activities, but there are lots of other choices out there. And, I really don't think anyone "deserves" to cruise, just like I don't think everyone "deserves" to skydive.

[katyjeka]

I know this is off subject, but we cruised with my dear father inlaw, against the doctor's advice!! He was 88, and had wanted to cruise for many years, and never had the chance. We were on the NCl Jewel, for 10 nights, and he had the time of his life. I know an 88 year old is a lot different than a young child, but there was a very good chance he would have a problem as well. We lost him in May, at 89 years old. Until the day he died he talked about the cruise, and what a wonderful time he had. We now look back and are so thankful we "allowed" him to go. The memories will be with us forever. On a side note, the ship did have a medical emergency on our way to Barbados, a young man with appendicitis. Thankfully everything turned out okay. I guess my point is, an emergency can happen to anyone, including a perfectly healthy child or adult.