r/solotravel • u/Hot_Evidence3919 • 1d ago

Hardships 24F got injured second day of my trip in Tromso

I just landed on the 3rd of April, after my reindeer feeding tour on the 4th the sky started to clear up so I thought this would be my chance to hike up the jhellheisen (cable car is closed) it was a tough hike because I am not familiar with hiking on snowy mountains, but I got to the top eventually. However, when I was going down hill, stupid foolish me thought I could make a faster trip sliding down the slope (I thought I could stop with my crampons) but I was damn wrong… slid down for I don’t know how long, in a uncontrollable speed, I initially was sliding down on my back but tried to grab a tree to stop so I flipped… might be a wrong decision because then I sliced open my chin and my lips, fractured my jaw and hurt my ear because I bumped into something. Went to the emergency room with help of really friendly and helpful locals and got tons of stitches, the doctors suggested a surgery to fixate my jaw but I declined because it would mess with my upcoming plans ( I will be travelling all over the Scandinavia, will visit Sweden and Denmark too) I am trying to be as optimistic as possible but because I missed out on a northern lights tour and already canceled a few future tours, I can’t help but feel miserable… just resting in my Airbnb and missing out on everything I wanted to experience… anyone has been there as well? I want to seek some advice on how to make the best out of shitty solo travelling situations…

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28% Upvoted

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30

u/rocketwikkit 1d ago

Go back to the hospital and have them fix your jaw in the way they think is right! If your broken jaw heals wrong it will be a problem for the rest of your life, not just your short term travel plans.

2

u/SuperFlyChris 1d ago

Please do this.

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u/Hot_Evidence3919 1d ago

I have considered that as well, but finally decided to decline the surgery because last night I could feel my teeth were misaligned, but today they are aligned again, I feel like that there is a big improvement in the case of healing. Pain is not really that bad as well and I am aware of the possibility of problems that may arise without a surgery and am thinking of getting it checked up once I return. I took their advice and am on a fluid diet so hopefully it will heal sooner… I would consider surgery if I were in my hometown but the least thing I need now is to have a surgery alone in a place where I am so unfamiliar with 🥲 plus because I have no travel or medical insurance (stupid… really), the doctors said they have no idea how much it would costs but it will be expensive, so if I do proceed with surgery, I will be left with a big fat cheque and totally messed up plans 🥲 you sound like you have experience with a fractured jaw, can you please share more on how it might heal without a surgery?

9

u/citybumpkin8 1d ago

If I were you, I would cut short the trip and go home for medical care. There’s a possibility that this can affect you for the rest of your life if you don’t treat it properly.

6

u/byteme747 1d ago

You want some magic info about how to heal your jaw without proper medical care? That doesn't exist.

Are you really that irresponsible? You're young - get the proper treatment and surgery at home and cut the trip short.

It was irresponsible to not get trip insurance and it'll be worse to permanently fuck yourself up because you think it's more important to finish your trip.

Do what you want but most of the replies are telling you to get proper medical care.

4

u/maybenomaybe 1d ago

You don't have travel insurance?

Why would you take such a ridiculous risk? It was a bad decision even if you had insurance, it was insane to do it without.

Be grateful you didn't crack your skull open, go home immediately and straight to a doctor.

Consider it an expensive lesson that you apparently really needed.

2

u/justmisterpi solo-backpacker (49 countries) 1d ago

Go home an get the surgery and proper medical care there!

12

u/byteme747 1d ago edited 1d ago

Ignoring a doctor's advice sounds like a really really bad idea. You may think it's better but it would be worth getting a second opinion before deciding as YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR. And you can permanently mess yourself up.

You're reasoning of "it can impact my travel plans" vs permanent damage to your mouth is short sighted.

6

u/Appropriate_Volume Australian travel nerd 1d ago edited 1d ago

Continuing your holiday after you've been told you need emergency surgery on your jaw is an irresponsible thing to do. Go home and seek medical treatment.

If you're 24 years old, you have plenty of time to travel back to Scandinavia.

Also, don't travel without insurance cover.

6

u/WalkingEars Atlanta 1d ago

Someone I'm close to, a very experienced hiker, was similarly injured while "sliding" down part of a trail in winter, not even to save time just to play around. Guess it's the kind of thing that might seem kinda harmless but does come with some risks. Glad you were able to get some help.

Maybe do some reading in to more relaxed activities you can do for a bit while still recovering. Might be some fun stuff you can do even if not as lively as you originally planned.

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u/Hot_Evidence3919 1d ago

Thank you for letting me know that I am not a lone victim of snowy mountain slides! I am almost out of that self pity phase and am trying to be as optimistic as possible, trying to get the best out of what I’ve got here. Cancelled kayaking and other hiking plans but I guess shit just happens and that’s life, definitely a lesson learned about how dangerous it could be to solo hike…

3

u/WalkingEars Atlanta 1d ago

Yeah with hiking solo it's good to make sure someone always knows what route you're taking, roughly how long you expect to be gone, etc...that way if you're hurt or stuck somewhere on the route they can know where to send help. For the same reason some national parks have people register in some sort of log book before going out on a hike. Not necessarily a reason to not hike but it's good to take precautions like that

2

u/justmisterpi solo-backpacker (49 countries) 1d ago

 I declined because it would mess with my upcoming plans

WTF? Prioritise your health for fuck's sake!

2

u/citybumpkin8 1d ago edited 1d ago

If you opt to stay in Tromso to continue your trip, you really need to do your research around what is safe to do when you’re inexperienced with mountains/hiking. I was supposed to visit Tromso this week, and so many websites had warnings to not go hiking alone especially since avalanches are a risk.

That said, you really should prioritize medical care from actual doctors at this point. This is not something Reddit or WedMD can fix.

2

u/PersianCatLover419 16h ago edited 16h ago

Go back and have the jaw surgery, this is more important than any of your traveling. Or return home and have it done there.

You are not a doctor, dentist, or surgeon. 

What is a reindeer feeding tour? I did this in the USA in Pennsylvania at German Christmas markets and events and yes local farms, they have reindeer and you can feed them and pet them. I have also seen the Northern lights here.

1

u/Hot_Evidence3919 4h ago

About the tour, it is a reindeer feeding AND Sami culture tour, so we fed the reindeers outside and then went back into a traditional Sami tent and learn about their history! Heard them sang as well, it was pretty fun.

1

u/Hot_Evidence3919 4h ago

UPDATE:

Thank you for all the advices. I appreciate each and every one of them!! I returned to the hospital in Tromso today for a check up and reexamination. The doctor said my situation is better now and there is no need of a surgery (he checked the CT scan and examine my biting) I just have to follow a strict liquid diet for 6 weeks. Stitches will be off after 10 days. I am very glad and will be more careful with the activities I have in my upcoming plans. Thank you again for all the replies!