My oldest son and I decided toward the end of last year to celebrate a business deal that worked out well by taking a Father / Son safari with Buzz.

I haven't been back to Africa since my ele hunt in late 2013. I had kind of lost interest in it as other activities took a front seat in importance.

We've enjoy planning for months. We've loaded cartridges and shot many weekends getting ready. Getting all the little things taken care of for a trip.

He had some stomach issues a couple of years ago and for the most part, that had subsided. About 4 weeks ago, he told me the symptoms had returned so we were watching it closely.

Our flight leaves tomorrow. He called late last night to tell me he's been curled up on the sofa in pain for the last several days and there is just no way he can make the trip. Obviously I'm concerned about him first and foremost. We purchased trip insurance for this very issue so he'll be able to get his airfare back. He obtained an appointment with a specialist this morning to be seen sometime in the next couple of weeks.

I've got mixed feelings on it but I'm going to go ahead and make the trip, taking his quota as it's been paid for and I certainly wouldn't want to put a hardship on Buzz's outfit by canceling with 2 days notice. BUT, it's not going to be the Father / Son experience we had hoped for.

I told my son to take it easy, get seen by the docs, and focus on getting better. We can always do another trip once he get's this thing under control. I just hope it isn't something serious. I'm quite worried about him.

That has to be disappointing, but it's a good thing he got sick prior to the flight, or arrival in Africa.

It is very considerate of you not to cancel.

I hope you have a great trip.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
That has to be disappointing, but it's a good thing he got sick prior to the flight, or arrival in Africa.

It is very considerate of you not to cancel.

I hope you have a great trip.

BH63

Sorry Todd...
That sucks...suggestion maybe? Take a satellite phone and call your son every night by the campfire and share your stories of every day...
I was taking my wife to South Africa a few years ago...a week before we were set to leave...she ruptured a disc in her back.. I decided to go for the same reasons...
You'll have fun...the trip will just be different..
Have a great time

Terribly sorry to hear this.

We wish you both all the best.

Here is to your Son’s health returning and full dispensation of blessings to allow both of you to make this journey together in the brevity of time.

Todd,

That is indeed a bummer.
Hope he gets a handle on this recurring problem ASAP, and may it go away.
Hope you make lemonade from this lemon.

Rip ...

I am sorry to hear this news, very disappointing.
Hope your son's health gets sorted.
Try to enjoy the hunt!

That is really awful!

He has his priorities straight- it’s not much fun when you feel bad, and I’m sure he misses it as much as you do.

Good on you that you are going anyway- while I’m sure Charlotte-McCallum would delay, it would be a hardship for them.

Good luck and shoot straight!

Best of luck. Under the circumstances you are doing the right thing. I hope your son gets a simple solution.
Please greet the gang for me.

That is a bummer to the max.

Your son's health is the top priority.

taking the trip and giving him daily updates will be priceless.

Sorry to hear Todd. Hope he gets straightened out quickly without a lot more pain. I know it is a tough one for you. Have a good trip with Buzz, and start planning a return with your son!

Sorry to hear Todd.

Get the medical stuff figured out and Buzz will make a plan around it.

Look forward to seeing both of you at DSC or at the Larry Shores dinner in the near future.

Take care,

Mike

Thoughts and prayers for your son Todd. I hope the doctors get this sorted out for him and he is on the mend quickly. I had something similar happen a number of years ago... my dad couldn't make a safari but I went anyway. As others have said, I had a good hunt but it was different without the ol' man. We made up for it though and ended up sharing six safaris together, two of those with Buzz. Wouldn't trade those experiences for the world now that he is gone...

Good luck and do your best to enjoy!

That really sucks Todd. Hope your son gets better and that it's nothing serious.

Thanks guys, for all the well wishes for my son. We'll get him on the mend. I know he had to be feeling pretty lousy to cancel a safari on short notice. Probably a really hard phone call for him to make last night.

He seems to be in good spirits about it all today. He knows there will be a next time.

Sorry to hear this Todd. Your son is a very nice young man. I hope he is going to be okay.

Hoping your son gets well soon Todd! Good luck and good hunting.

That does suck but I hope he gets better and doesn't have any long term issues.

Prayers for your son.

In a few years, we will be gone. A significant part of our legacy to our children will be memories of trips like this. You are to be commended for planning this hunt.

Hope your able to reschedule a hunt with your son soon.

Wishing you and your son all the best.

Hoping to hear some great news and that your son is quickly on the mend.

Well...that sucks man!

Todd,

I’m very sorry to hear about your son (Austin?). While it won’t be the trip you had hoped, make the best of it.

Safe winds and good hunting.

Damn shame how things go sometimes,I await the day when my son joins me on safari,wish you both the best,there's always a next time,all the best.

Todd: I can empathize with your son. In 2017, I had booked a hunt with Sebra Hunting Safaris in Namibia and already wired a generous deposit plus a good deal of anticipated trophy fees Several months prior to my hunt, I experienced excruciating stomach pains radiating to my back. My wife, Dr MT Meadows correctly diagnosed Gall Bladder involvement, and I had surgery shortly thereafter. My surgeon told me if I had put off the surgery until after my Africa trip, I might have died in Africa. He showed me the pathological report and it was pretty scary. Luckily, my niece Caitlin was a Surgical Resident at Northwestern Hospital and referred me to one of her mentors who did my surgery arthroscopically and I was all healed up in time for my hunt. The same surgeon then repaired an inguinal hernia in 2018, which allowed me to go on my May 2019 fifth hunt with Sebra.

Damn Todd, I’m truly saddened to read this. I hope your son recovers fully before you return. I can relate to how you feel, as I’m taking my son on safari in 5 months. It’d be horrible to go through what the two of you are dealing with.

I wish you both the best.

Todd:

Very sorry to hear this.
BTDT myself and still fighting health issues.

One bit of advice on the guts.
Don't fool with local medics unless you're in a big city with top doctors.
IF it's serious stuff, get him to the experts at the University Hosp.
They KNOW these problems.

That's where I was finally sent after two years. Three weeks it was on the mend.

Best wishes all around.

George

Hey Todd

So sorry that Austin can't make it! Remember that health is the most important thing ever. I know how disappointed you must both be! See you on Saturday and I am glad to say we will be sharing camp- Safe travels and a speedy recovery to Austin!

Very sorry to hear this, wishing a speedy and full recovery to your Son.

Todd, I sure hope your son will be okay. Health has to come first. You can both do another trip down the road when he is feeling better/fixed up. It would be a bad show all the way around if he fell critically ill while on safari in Zimbabwe. I like the idea mentioned about a sat phone to keep in touch with him. Have fun with Buzz!

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
That does suck but I hope he gets better and doesn't have any long term issues.

Best wishes Todd. There will be other safaris, but form experience, the toughest issue I've ever faced was my son getting ill and taking years to recover and we're still not there. Keep us posted and of course when you get back!

jorge

I sent a link to this thread to my son. He says to tell all you guys thanks for the concern and comments!

Very sorry to hear Todd. I can only imagine how much you and your son were looking forward to doing this trip together.

Todd,

That's a tough one. I can only imagine how disappointed you must be. Hope your son recovers soon.

Mark

Todd:
Keep your chin up, mate, and next year will be better! For a get well present, buy your son a Blaser from Biebs.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Todd:
Keep your chin up, mate, and next year will be better! For a get well present, []buy your son a Blaser from Biebs.[/]
Cal

Damn Cal, the boy is sick enough without having to look at a damn BLASER!

…………………………………………………………………………….

Todd, hope your son gets better soon. That is a shame that he had to miss the hunt, and that you didn't have him with you! Better days for your son in my prayers!
………………………………………………………………. Mac

Wishing you both all the best, Todd.

Sorry to hear that Todd. I hope your son finds the problem and has a speedy recovery.
Good luck and safe travels.

Sorry to hear this. I myself have stomach problems that arised about a year ago. I was finaly diagnosed with Dyspepsia. I do not know what his sysmtems are but taking over the counter Ginger Root tablets Daily have really helped me.

I really feel for you tod. Hunting with a son is so special.

Praying for his speedy recovery.

Have a great trip

Todd,

Joyce was very impressed with Austin when we got to meet him in Dallas. A fine young man. Africa will still be there when he is ready for a trip and this is another reason for you to re-unite with the continent after such a long absence.

Have fun with Buzz and say hi for us.


Cheers
J&J