Horrible news ? Rebook or not

Question

Well it's the day after,

We got told yesterday wife has breast cancer stage 3.was book to go may 30th that's not happening double mastectomy booked for April 22st.

Hotel has already been cancelled ,emailed airport parking same.

Got to ring virgin atlantic to see if we can change it either before op ie dates 11 till 18th April or around then or early next year.

Life's not fair but we can beat it.

Monkey

Answer

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis, and I can only imagine the mix of emotions you're feeling right now. It's a tough time, but it's great to hear your optimism and determination to beat this. When it comes to your travel plans, it’s completely understandable that you would need to adjust them around the surgery and treatment.

Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate the next steps with the trip and rebooking:

Contacting Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic, like many airlines, is typically understanding when it comes to medical emergencies. They may allow you to change your flight with minimal fees, especially if you explain the situation. You should contact them as soon as possible to discuss options for either rescheduling your flight for April (before or after the surgery) or for a later date, perhaps next year. Make sure you have any necessary medical documentation ready in case they ask for it.
Travel Insurance: If you had travel insurance booked with your flight, check the policy to see if it covers medical situations like this. Many travel insurance policies allow for trip changes or cancellations due to health reasons, and it might help with some of the costs associated with rescheduling or canceling the flight.
Hotel and Parking Refunds: Since your hotel and parking have already been canceled, make sure you follow up with any travel providers or third-party booking sites to ensure any possible refunds are processed. If you haven’t done this yet, it’s worth verifying to ensure you're not incurring extra costs.
Timing Your Trip: If you're planning to reschedule for around April 11–18, it could give you time to adjust and recover from the surgery. You might want to avoid scheduling travel too soon after the surgery, as recovery time may vary. However, if you feel ready to travel later in the year or next year, it may give you and your wife more time to heal and prepare for the trip.

Most importantly, focus on what’s best for your wife’s health and recovery. Your trip can always be rescheduled, but her well-being comes first. Lean on your support system and take things one step at a time. You've got the strength to get through this, and there's always time for a trip once things settle down.