Am feeling pretty sad right now. My husband and I planned a trip to St. Martin for 2 weeks this year and were to leave tomorrow. You have no idea....we're like 2 five year olds going to Disneyworld. Monday my husband fell from a ladder clipping branches...Punctured lung...many rib fractures. In enormous amt. of pain. We had to cancel and only had insurance on our flight. I'm sick about this turn of events. I understand rib fractures take a good while to heal. I know there's a reason why everything happens, but it doesn't make this any easier to swallow. For all of you who are on your way....I'm so jealous. Please have a drink for my hubby and I. Color us....really sad! Thanks for all the great topics on this board also.

That's doom and gloom, next time you are set to go I bet you will hire someone to clip branches. Hope you get something back from wherever you were staying. Also hoping you can rebook later this year when he is all healed.

40 posts in 12 years, and this one is clearly a bummer. You're the 2nd TTOLer who has just had a tragic event cancel their island trip.

I share your opinion that this message board furnishes a lot of really interesting stuff. Due to circumstances beyond my control, TTOL is my way to visit the Carribean.

Of course best of luck on the recovery process and hopefully both of you will be able to enjoy the island again before too long. I've heard so many stories about folks getting really messed up by using ladders.

So sorry to hear of your husband's misfortune. Always try to find the silver lining and be thankful he did not strike his head and was not more severely injured or even killed in that fall. A punctured lung and broken ribs is certainly bad and very painful, but in time he will heal and recover from this. When the time is right, I'm sure you will be able to visit SXM again and enjoy your time together on the island. Hopefully, you will be able to recover some of your costs or have the money for accommodation transferred to another time. Often people are kind in these circumstances.

So very sorry about your necessary trip cancellation but happy your husband didn't suffer worse injuries and effects than he did. Those cracked ribs and lung punctures will eventually heal and perhaps you'll be able to reschedule sooner rather than later. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you both. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Wow, so sad for you!! I can't imagine how disappointed you are!! Take care and I hope you are able to return to SXM soon...

Carol...it is thanks to you that Barry and I have come to love SXM so much. Many years ago I found this site and contacted you for info about the island. You and others on this board offered amazing and accurate information. When we arrive on the island, I felt like I knew so much already. We've been to sxm about 25 times and have tried many other places over the years. We always end up going back. We love our friends that we've made, the food, the beaches....just everything. So...thanks for steering us in a good direction and thanks to others who have posted responses to my message. I truly appreciate the good wishes. Blessings to all....

Sorry you had to cancel and hoping for a good recovery. Ribs and lungs take a long time to heal and are painful as I have first-hand knowledge.

Sorry to hear about your cancellation. It reminds me of our cancelled 2014 trip. I had cancer surgery late in 2013 and had begun chemotherapy. We worked out a schedule with the oncologist regarding the scheduling of the infusion sessions and all seemed well for our anticipated late February trip. Unfortunately the side effects of the chemo just devastated my body. We cancelled less than a week before our scheduled departure. Luckily we were able to recoup our airfare with a letter from my oncologist. We were able to rent our second timeshare week (Heineken Regatta week). Though broken-hearted, our subsequent visits in 2015 and 2016 have become
more meaningful.

I certainly know what you mean--you can visit many other islands, but SXM is 'home'. Take care and best wishes on a return trip, soon!

Sorry to hear about your misfortune! We were so disappointed when we looked at the weather for this week. It sure hasn't been good after waiting a year to be here, but at least we got to come down. Hope your husband heals fast.

So sorry to hear about your husband. Hope he is doing better and you will be on your way to SXM soon.

I usually don't say I know how you feel while reading a post like this, but this time, I thought I'd jump right in. We have not only canceled a trip, we left after 2 nights on another trip and spent another in our place not feeling well, so I do know how you feel. (There was even a time that we got off the plane before it took off, but that wasn't SXM. I almost forgot that one. Age helps in forgetting some of these things. lol)

Time passes so fast and soon you will be on your way and enjoying the island!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
Take care and keep us updated.

I feel his pain. In August I rolled out of bed and fractured four ribs. I know everyone heals at a different pace, but for me it was three months before I felt really functional. Netflix and my Kindle got me through it, though.

Thnx for your kind thoughts and words everyone. Reading these posts is healing. I know no one goes through life unscathed and overall we've been very blessed. I realize this recovery isn't going to happen overnite. Everyone I talk to said it was months before they felt themselves again. Hopefully we can look at late fall for a return.

WE are so very sorry this happened.....you are in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

So sorry to hear about your husband's accident. Hopefully, he will get well soon. We know the joy SXM brings to couples. Hard to understand now, but when things get back to normal for both of you, the trip will be that much sweeter.

I feel your pain Zoe. Three years ago my husband Lee fell off a ladder while installing a sign. He broke two ribs, suffered a concussion and a chipped vertebra where the muscle ripped off of it. He spent three months sleeping in a recliner, that was a godsend. Broken ribs are horrible, imagine any other bone, living with it unset while hoping it will heal. Thank heaven for pain meds, but they only gave him them for a couple of weeks. The damaged muscle has been the longest healing because of scar tissue. A chiropractor with a specialty in soft tissue manipulation was helpful for that. It was a horrible time especially since we run a two person business. But we didn't have to cancel a St Martin vacation, how sad that would be. I wish him full recovery.

One bit of advice for sore muscles and bruises that has worked extremely well for us for many years. It's over the counter, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It is Arnica Gel. It's made in France and considered a homeopathic treatment. I would not be putting this out without many years of personal experience with family and friends. One friend had his hip replaced and now swears by this stuff.

Joyonthebeach is my wife, and I'm the one who fell a couple years ago. (Thank you, Joy, for all the help during that time!) I'll say this: the healthcare pros these days are so worried about opioid addiction that they won't want to offer them to help manage the pain for long. Personally, I HATE taking opioids, and if you live in a state that allows medical marijuana use, I suggest you look into it for pain management. Recuperation can be slow, and as Joy said, the correct chiro or PT can help immensely! Hope to meet you healthy and happy on the beach one day!

So sorry to hear. Makes me think that we should hire people for ladder work from now on. A fall trip would be a nice thing to look forward to and help with the healing process.

Note to self: don't do ANY kind of work or go anyplace where we might get sick before the trip to SXM! Hubby is prone to gout so I feed him strictly vegetarian and no alcohol a month before leaving. He makes up for it while on island.

Sorry to hear of your travail.

The day that Lee fell (it was springtime) they had already had two other people in the ER from ladder falls. They are seriously more dangerous than most people realize. Charlieh, I second that about arnica gel.

Thnx again all you kind responders....your thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated. Barry finally starting on the uptick. 1st decent day all week. Went from trauma to ICU and now in stepdown. All you hubbies out there...it is REALLY ok if you have to call someone to do yard maintenance. In all ways this has been a very costly lesson. Blessings to all! :-)

Wishing him continued rapid improvement and sending good thoughts to you because I know this is really not easy for you either.

For sure, it is not easy on the spouse. I also hope your husband continues to improve. Best wishes.