Tell them to go to costco/Don quijote/walmart for souvenirs! (like chocolate macadamia nuts) much cheaper than what you'd find in the tourist zones. Sorry to hear about your kidney stones, but better safe than sorry. :/ - I live on the island of Oahu

I don't think people should be so quick to judge the husband. As far as I know, gallbladder surgery isn't very dangerous at all and doesn't require that much time recovering. So while it would be nice to have your family there, it isn't necessary... And if you have young children it might even be nicer to spend the first few post-operation days alone since children aren't always that good with understanding "don't bother me, I need to rest". Also, if the kids are young, they might not really understand the seriousness of the situation. Since the OP said the gallstones were news, I'd imagine she wouldn't have had a lot of problems with it before, meaning it would be sort of an abstract concept to the kids. So the kids might just be heartbroken about not getting to go on a vacation. Or they might lack insurance for the vacation, or couldn't reschedule for various reasons, so rather than no one going or losing the money the husband and kids went. It sucks that the OP couldn't go with them, but as a parent sometimes you gotta put the kids before your spouse.

Kidney stones aren't that bad try giving birth

This is terrible!

Normally when this stuff happens people cancel vacations

I am the OP and wish to thank everyone for their well wishes and kindness. Bit of an update: I have an infection in both kidneys so they can't yet remove the big 7mm stone that is stuck half way. Surgeons put in a stent and my pain filled hazy brain decided I just wanted to be with family so I stupidly boarded a plane to Hawaii! Now I am writhing about in a hotel bed (with a beautiful view of Waikiki and Diamond Head) and still ruining my family's holiday. I didn't realise how serious my condition was when I assured my husband that if he got on the plane I would follow a day later so it's all my fault. I've made a shitty situation even worse. FML

Thats too bad OP sorry it happened

Would love to see an update from OP to see how this turned out.