The Christmas We’ll Never Forget: San Francisco Hospital Edition

The Joyful Start

Our family of three had decided to spend the Christmas of 2021 in San Francisco. The plan was simple: explore the city, enjoy some quality family time, and fly back home the day after Christmas. The city’s holiday lights were mesmerizing, the chilly weather was magical, and the spirit of the holidays was in full swing.

The Unplanned Detour

But then came Christmas Day. Bryant, my husband, started experiencing an excruciating pain in his side, doubling over and barely able to speak. Recognizing that something was severely wrong, we rushed to our rental car and sped off to the nearest emergency room.

The Diagnosis

The hospital staff were incredible, getting Bryant into an examination room almost immediately. After some tests and scans, the doctors confirmed that he had a kidney stone—a painful condition that needed immediate treatment. The pain was unbearable, but at least we knew what we were dealing with.

Missing Our Flight

Amid the medical chaos, our scheduled flight out of San Francisco the following morning was cancelled. On any other day, this would have been a stressful situation, multiplied by the cost of last-minute tickets, rebookings and medical bills.

The Silver Lining: Travel Insurance

But this is where our foresight paid off: we had purchased travel insurance before embarking on our trip. A quick call to our insurance provider assured us that all the unplanned expenses—hospital bills, an extra hotel night, another day for the car rental, and even the food during the delay—would be covered. The relief we felt was indescribable.

A Different Kind of Christmas

While Bryant was getting the medical attention he needed, Denver and I managed to make the most of our unplanned extended stay by daddy’s side comforting him as best we could. San Francisco may not have been our home, but the warmth we felt from its residents—especially the hospital staff—made it feel like one.

The Journey Home

Thanks to the quick medical intervention and some strong pain relievers, Bryant was discharged 8 hours later, feeling much better. With less than 3 hours of daylight, we wandered the streets of San Francisco finding one of few open restaurants and we enjoyed a magnificent Christmas dinner, sang carols, and even managed to catch a re-run of one of my favorite movies, “Home Alone” on the hotel TV. It was unconventional, sure, but it was a Christmas we’d never forget.

We caught the next available flight home, and though tired, we were grateful.

The Lesson: Always Get Travel Insurance

People often think travel insurance is only necessary for international trips or extreme adventures. Our experience is a testament to why that’s a myth. You never know what could happen, and having that safety net can turn a potential disaster into a manageable inconvenience. So, my advice to all families out there: always opt for travel insurance, even if you’re not leaving the country. You’ll thank yourself later, just like we did.

And so, while the Christmas of 2021 didn’t go as planned, it taught us the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and gave us a unique story that we’ll cherish forever.