Hello,

I'm asking for some prayers and thoughts please. It's a bit of a long one...

My 84-year-old Gran decided that the cold in Eastern Ontario was getting too much, so her and her friend decided to head off to Cuba to get some sun.

On Tues morning, her friend fell down some concrete stairs. She broke her hip, ankle and wrist. On Wed night, my gran finally called my dad and step-mother and told her what had happened. Her friend was due to be flown home on Thurs but my gran wasn't due home until next Tuesday. So, my step-mother packs her stuff for 4 days in Cuba to keep my gran company.

Unfortunately, my gran's friend didn't take any insurance out...   The hospital wouldn't treat her and she couldn't get a flight home. My dad went to visit her family straight away and apparently there was 'nothing they could do about it'.   My dad was furious when he left there at the fact they were so horrible and that they really didn't seem to give a hoot about it. When he asked them why she didn't have insurance, they said 'she didn't want any'...   I would be buying it FOR someone in my immediate family if they said that. Anyway...

On Thurs night/Fri morn at about 12am, there's a knock at the door of my step-mother's hotel room. It's 2 staff from the clinic with the friend on a trolley bed. The hospital wouldn't take her and the clinic were kicking her out. So since Thursday, my stepmother has been trying to care for a woman with serious injuries, who's 89 and has had no treatment, has a catheter in and is barely conscious. They are having to give her sips of water every 30 mins all round the clock to make sure she doesn't dehydrate. It's lucky that she's a nurse, because I wouldn't have a clue to do in that situation. She is also lucky that her cousin spent some time in Cuba as a doctor, as he got hold of a friend of his who arranged some basic supplies for her.

It's going to cost $40,000 cdn to medi-vac her home and her family STILL are not out there... My dad said that when he went to visit them after speaking to my step-mother, they really weren't that bothered. Only when he told them that my stepmother thought she was going to die very soon without help did they decide to look into going. Apparently her granddaughter is going down there tonight. My step-mother is flying home tonight too because my dad had enough. He told the family she was coming home with my gran so someone had better get down there quick and sort this out.

Prayers for this poor old lady who doesn't seem to have anyone caring for her at all.  

Also some prayers for my step-mother who, I can only imagine, is exhausted, worried sick and trying to manage this situation as best as she can.

Thanks folks.

xx

Em that's terrible.  What a rotten family!!!!  I won't even begin to tell you what I think of them    That's so awesome that your step-mom is there caring for her.

Prayers up and out!!!!

How awful!

You got it, Em.  Keep us posted on how they're doing, ok?

Good Grief, that's horrible.

Good vibes to your Friendma.

                 JPC

Good thoughts going out.  If it were *me* and I knew of someone in a situation like that, a call to the news agencies just might get enough shit stirred up that this poor lady could get home.


I can't even imagine leaving my Grandmother in a place like that.

Carolyn

What a nightmare.  Prayers and positive thoughts headed out.....

Stories like that make one almost afraid to leave the country.

Praying it all turns out well for everyone involved.  I have to say it's nice to see people who have compassion for the elderly, especially the ones that are alone.  Mostly, they're forgotten.

Hugs,
Langa

Just plain awful.  Count on my prayers!

Ray

EM ,   I'm so sorry to hear this horrible event in your life and to your family . You and your family have all of my prayers and all my positive vibes focused to this situation ... It's very hard to accept powerlessness over the care and outcome of those we love . Project only love and not anger and fear . She will feel the love ,despite her own fears and anger . My prayers and love are with you ............................. Bless you , phil h

I can't even imagine. We lost my gramma last summer at the age of 96. She overcame a broken hip at 90. But she never had to do any of it alone. When I see older ladies walking down the street carrying grocery bags I just want to cry because they don't have anyone to drive them to the store. We did all that for my gram and when going got to be too much, we did it for her. Our older family members deserve the ability to age with dignity and love. That is just horrible what is happening to that poor woman.

Em

I could not reply to this post for a day or two as I just could not belive that things like this really happen, I just cannot belive that any hospital would not treat someone in need and to leave anyone 2whith untreated broken bones is unthinkable.  I cannot get used to the fact the rest of the world does not have automatic rights to full hospital treatment as we do.

I do hope there is a happy outcome to all of this, love and light being sent

Tanya