Membership Testimonials

Empty Nesters Opt For Travel, Protected By MedjetAssist

For some couples, empty nest syndrome can be quite painful. For others, however, an empty nest gives the opportunities to do the things they’ve put off for years. Travel often tops that list.

With children grown and out of the house, it may be time to relish your own newfound freedom. Just remember to exercise a little caution so that even unexpected setbacks can be taken in stride.

Dr. Samuel J. Bracken, Jr., and his wife, Joyce, learned the value of precautionary measures after Mrs. Bracken was injured in Rome last November. As Thanksgiving approached, the Brackens decided the holiday would be a good time to “do something a little crazy,” as all three of their adult children were scheduled to visit in-laws’ homes for Thanksgiving. “We always wanted to go to Rome together,” Dr. Bracken says, explaining that his wife had visited the Italian capital many years ago, but he had never been there.

Misfortune struck during the very first day of the trip. “About an hour after we had checked into the hotel, we were on a cobblestone walk, when my wife turned her ankle and fell, breaking her pelvic bone,” Dr. Bracken says. “It was a really severe injury she sustained, and a lot of people rushed to her aid,” he recalls. Bystanders called for emergency help, and an ambulance arrived about ten minutes later, barely squeezing through the narrow passageway to come to Joyce’s aid.

The Brackens were taken to a bustling emergency room, where they had to cope with a long wait, as well as a language barrier. Finally, a man with a broken toe arrived and translated, arranging for Joyce to be given an X-ray to aid in diagnosing her condition.

Unfortunately, the only treatment for a broken pelvic bone is bedrest, and with no beds available in the old hospital where they had gone for treatment, the Brackens were advised to return to their hotel.

Dr. Bracken wasn’t satisfied with that solution. He arranged for his wife to be taken to the Rome American Hospital about 15 miles outside the city.

When she was settled in, Dr. Bracken remembered that he and his wife had joined MedjetAssist a few years before, at the recommendation of friends. “I had almost totally forgotten about it,” he admits. Once he contacted MedjetAssist, plans were made to bring the Brackens home. Due to the nature of Joyce’s injury, however, transportation had to be delayed a few days to avoid the risk of blood clots that are often associated with pelvic injuries.

While she was hospitalized in Italy preparing for the return home, Dr. Bracken says that his wife “insisted that during the day, I stick to the plans we had made to visit the sites of Rome.” So, while his wife recovered, Dr. Bracken visited the Vatican, the Forum, St. Paul’s and other famous landmarks.

When Joyce could be transported safely, an ambulance brought the Brackens from the hospital to the airport, where they were met by a crew that included a nurse and an emergency medical technician, as well as the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot. Upon arriving at the Allegheny Airport in South Hills near Pittsburgh, a helicopter was waiting in customs to take Joyce to the Wheeling Hospital near their home. She remained hospitalized for several days, until she could continue her recuperation at home.

About his experience with MedjetAssist, Dr. Bracken says: “Everyone we dealt with on the phone was very knowledgeable and able to take care of our needs and even suggested ways to help that we had not even thought of. Jane, Steve, Ken and Jeff, who came on the jet to pick us up, were very kind and caring. They made our trip back as pleasant as anyone possibly could. When we tell people about our experience and how expertly MedjetAssist handled our return to the States, they cannot believe that this could be done so expertly and so efficiently.”

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