My Trip is Officially Cancelled / myLot

United States

October 20, 2026 10:37pm CST

It was a really hard decision to make to cancel this solo trip to Malta that was supposed to start tomorrow. I appreciate the mylotters who gave me advice both in response to posts, as well as in the private messaging here on my LOT. On the one hand, nothing specific happened today that made me feel any different than I’ve been feeling for the past three weeks. I just didn’t know what was wrong with me until today. I had imagined that if I felt ill while in Malta, I could just stay in the hotel room and take it easy. But I guess I forgot to take into consideration how difficult the journey is getting there with the long flights and sitting in cramped coach class seats. All this time, I thought it was a muscle strain or possibly a rib fracture. It wasn’t until yesterday when I saw the actual bulge in my chest/abdomen area that I became concerned. Realistically, I don’t know that I could’ve carried my backpack and lifted the suitcase the five or six times I would need to lift it because it hurts when I bend, twist, or lift. Perhaps if I had been traveling somewhere domestically, for instance, say a short drive or flight to Chicago, I could’ve done so and being comfortable that hubby could rescue me should something happen. But being so many thousand miles away across the ocean that would take a full day to get there, it just wasn’t worth the risk. As you know, I had at least 15 migraines in September so what if I got a migraine on a 10 hour flight? That would’ve been miserable. I also didn’t like the fact that I was getting home Tuesday night at 9 PM and having eye surgery the next morning. What if one of my flights got delayed or canceled? So my only concern right now is getting the money back for my trip. I did buy travel insurance but it requires that I have a doctors note excusing me from travel and I don’t know if my doctor is going to give me one or not. Technically, there’s nothing life-threatening wrong with me that would prevent me from flying. Please pray that the doctor will understand my situation and show me some mercy by giving me a doctors note so that I can get refunded my travel money.

12 people like this

11 responses

Four Walls

@FourWalls (89237)

• United States

16h

I think you definitely made the right decision. I pray you can get your money back, but even if you can’t, that would be the least of your worries compared to being sick overseas.

6 people like this

nawala

@nawala123 (24468)

• Indonesia

17h

Hopefully you can trip to Malta another time and you get back your money

6 people like this

rakski

@rakski (162956)

• Philippines

17h

I think that is a very wise decision. Being a solo traveler miles away will make it more difficult if you get ill. I really hope those doctors will give you the letter you need so you can refund the money

4 people like this

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (15461)

• Ireland

12h

@looeyville I think you’ve made the right call cancelling. If you did go and took ill your insurers might look askance at you having boarded a long haul flight the day after going to the doctor with an unresolved mystery illness. I only claimed once when my wife got food poisoning in Paris and we had to absquatulate and head for home. Nightmare journey, two flights, Boxing Day when economy seats were blocked out so had to go first class with no pleasure. Insurer quibbled because we flew home after having travelled out by ferry/train. She said quite snarkily “Most people return the way they went out” to which I replied snootily Madam, I am not most people”. I got the money.

4 people like this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (107723)

• Los Angeles, California

14h

I had a feeling after reading your earlier post that this would happen. It's done.Trip is toast. I know it's difficult not to dwell, fret and worry about the situation but you have to try for the sake of your mental health.

4 people like this

Michael

@Wrexxo (9816)

•

15h

Sorry you had to cancel, that sounds really stressful. Sounds like you made the safe choice though, especially with that bulge and the surgery coming up. Hope your doctor gives you the note so you can get your money back.

4 people like this

Max Crisp

@Orson_Kart (8902)

• United Kingdom

12h

Sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip. It’s probably for the best as it’s hard to enjoy something when you aren’t well. Best to be at home where you can recover and plan your next adventure at your leisure. Insurance companies hate paying money out, but ill health should be a valid reason for cancelling, so hopefully you get the refund.

2 people like this

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (141549)

• Marion, Ohio

The doctor should be willing to do that. It wasn't worth not enjoying your trip

1 person likes this

Fleur

@Fleura (36103)

• United Kingdom

11h

Reading all this, it seems you definitely made the right decision. I hope you can go again when things are running more smoothly.

1 person likes this

Shiva

@Shiva49 (28776)

• Singapore

That is bad luck but better to play it safe when it comes to our health. After all we need to enjoy our holidays than endure them. I do hope you get the refund as it is for a genuine reason in the interest of all.

1 person likes this

Thelma

@thelme55 (80234)

• Germany

I hope you get your money back. You did the right decision. Travelling alone with health issues is dangerous.

2 people like this