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Julie Pallot and her daughters, Nicole, Kate, Olivia.
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Tempted to travel?
I have been dealing with advanced breast cancer for more than 11 years. In 2001, I went to Europe and the UK thinking it would be my one and only overseas trip. In October 2006 my eldest daughter suggested we go to Edinburgh to visit her sister, who was then working there for 12 months. We also thought we should take advantage of the trip by seeing a little more of Europe. When I spoke to my oncologist he was more than happy to encourage this trip.
We started off in Europe, but within a few days of arriving, I developed severe pain, with nausea and vomiting. It became obvious that I needed medical attention.
I called my oncologist, who confirmed that I needed to go to a hospital. We were in Berlin at the time. I then put into action my plans for dealing with ill health. One reason I decided to go was the knowledge that Australia has reciprocal rights with the United Kingdom to use its public health care system. Using an Internet café, we found a flight that I could take to Luton airport in London, with a connecting flight to Glasgow. This flight was leaving in two hours. We went directly to the airport, where we bought my ticket. My daughters stayed in Europe since we were due to arrive in Edinburgh in five days anyway. I then put into action my plans for dealing with ill health. One reason I decided to go was the knowledge that Australia has reciprocal rights with the United Kingdom to use its public health care system. Using an Internet café, we found a flight that I could take to Luton airport in London, with a connecting flight to Glasgow. This flight was leaving in two hours. We went directly to the airport, where we bought my ticket. My daughters stayed in Europe since we were due to arrive in Edinburgh in five days anyway.
Both flights were hard because I felt so unwell and, from memory, I dozed on and off all the way due to pain killers. I got to Glasgow wondering how I was going to get the bus to Edinburgh, but as I came off the plane my darling daughter had left work and travelled to Glasgow to meet me. I remember the tears of relief as she gave me a hug.
We went directly to the Edinburgh General Infirmary, where I was immediately attended to. The relief I felt in being in a country where English was spoken and in the hands of medical professionals was overwhelming.
I was dealing with a possible bowel blockage. I was in hospital for four days, but was treated so well. Mind you, nearly every nurse that was caring for me was from Australia! There were a lot of differences; my medication was known by different names, and it was a challenge for the registrar to work out what I needed in that regard, but they were thoughtful and nothing seemed a problem.
After four days, I was discharged. My other daughters arrived and we had a lovely Christmas lunch in an Edinburgh pub. After this hiccup, we went on with our trip, returning to Europe for New Year's Eve, where I saw in the New Year with my daughters in Paris. We travelled for another two and a half weeks.
At the time it was scary and confronting, but for anyone with health issues it is an option that may encourage them to travel. When I decided to go ahead with our trip, I know the fact that I was able to access medical care in the UK was one of the things that helped me decide to go.
I did not have to pay a cent for the treatment or medication, and I was treated with the utmost care and consideration. The only cost was the airfare from Berlin to Glasgow, which I could not claim due to my pre-existing illness. The small hiccup in my stay in an Edinburgh hospital falls into insignificance when compared with the memories of our time in Europe and the UK, which will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Last updated June 2007
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