EMERGENCY. Need help NOW

[twinturbo]

Just noting option #2 with Air Ambulance is a medical escort on commercial flight. They offer nurse or flight paramedic with minimal 5 years critical care experience if I read that correctly.

Commercial Air Medical Escort

Or reserve a stretcher block on commercial airline.
Commercial Airline Stretcher

[hedgehog]

I just got off the phone again.  Apparently they have epinephrine at hospitals there, but not in any form that can be taken away and given elsewhere.  What they had given her was a hydrocortisone injection, and prednisone.  I think the pred is in pill form.  I did not ask, but I think DD probably would have mentioned if not. TT, I have yet to get a good look at that link.  Every time I try, the phone rings again. 

I had tried calling DD again, but could not get an answer at the hotel.  I feel so overwhelmed.  Every time I get off the phone, I feel the details of the conversation start to leak from my brain.  I am shaking so bad. And feeling sick to my stomach and crying.  I have never been through anything like this.  Even when DS had his first reaction, at least I knew what it was to, he s with me, and, not knowing much about allergies, did not think it was as serious as it was, so did not panic.

[momma2boys]

 

[Macabre]

[momma2boys]

Is anyone with her? Is there someone who can check on her if she is alone?

[nameless]

I wonder if they have the old-fashioned bee sting kits in Cuba?  It's epinephrine, it's what we had at my house growing up --- pre Epipen days!

Can one of the teachers (or you) call the US Embassy/Consulate in Cuba for assistance?

[hedgehog]

There is no embassy or consulate.  No diplomatic relations between US and Cuba.  If they were to have a problem that would require going to a consulate, they were instructed to go the Swiss consulate.  The US has an agreement with them since they are a neutral country. 

[twinturbo]

Hedge, I called. It would take some paperwork but they can do it out of Cuba to Miami. Transport includes ground service ambulance once they get her she never leaves medical care until she gets into a "receiving facility". Air ambulance contact I spoke to is on stand by. She knows mom is needing help on options of getting daughter out. Daughter is there from anaphylactic reaction, is stable, no access to epinephrine.

They are only allowed to fly during daylight hours. The whole service is bed to bed starting with ground transport when she would be picked up via their ambulance. It would then be a flight with at least 2 staff to monitor her the whole way to the "receiving facility" which must reserve a bed for her or there is a punitive fee of $25,000 to do what is called "patient dumping". But they have private contacts in Miami at Jackson Memorial they would work that out before arrival. Arrival is a private hangar with further ground transport to hospital. A private residence is a possible destination with prior approval.

DD will need her med report, her passport and I think the facility that she would be picked up at. There is some process to all of this but the next day hours she could be on her way to Miami.

PM me for contact name and number. I told her I was a friend calling on a friend's behalf.

I don't think we have an embassy or consulate in Cuba. I think it's a US Interests Section.

[nameless]

Oh nevermind...no US Embassy in Cuba b/c of the embargo and things. 

Not to worry you - but there may be other issues for her to have access to things being a US Citizen and not breaking any embargo laws.  The group she went with is probably a licensed travel group?  Try to work with them (not just the teachers/chaperones.)  I was reading there are loads of issues with US citizens spending even a penny in Cuba and breaking the embargo!

[catelyn]

Medical flights take time to arrange.  She will be home by the time you could make that happen. 

Make sure she is not alone and that the school person there knows what is going on. 

I PM'd you. 

Embassies are for paper work.  Someday I will tell you the story of my cousin and the embassy lol. 

[nameless]

Did you get her the special emergency travel insurance that can get one out-of-a-country and to home soil?  Some credit cards carry that protection as well...

[yelloww]

Can the Swiss consulate somehow get meds flown in from Miami for her?

[nameless]

Plan B maybe?

If she reacted to food/drink (though she doesn't know exactly what) --- she must know some of the basics of the meal or snack she ate. I'm sure the teachers can get her plain plain food like rice and plain cooked meat in foil (no spice) until they leave?

[hedgehog]

Thank you everyone.  I am waiting for a call back with options.  The school's insurance company was looking into some things like somehow getting epinephrine to her. I tried calling DD back to find out how she feels about the various options we are thinking of, including trying to get her home early.  But the first time, the hotel did not answer.  The second time, she was not in her room.  I really want need to get her input in this.  She is 18.  I cannot make a decision without her.

[nameless]