So Close, Yet So Far Away....

[goofyernmost]

If you glance at my signature block you will see that I only have a few days left until my scheduled trip to WDW with my Daughter, SIL and Grandkids.

For those that don't know, about 5 weeks ago my right knee had an unscheduled meeting with a concrete floor from the bottom step of a stairway. Aside from dislocating my knee cap I managed to completely sever the muscle just above the knee (the medical name for it escapes me at the moment) disabling the lower part of my leg. I had surgery about 4 weeks ago and am progressing quite well. However, as you can see I have only a few days left to get it in good enough shape to manage WDW or cancel my part of the trip.

I know I will be somewhat mobile but the thought of dealing with the leg and negotiating a place the size of WDW, has me wondering if it would be worth it. My family is going for 10 days but I was sneaking in for only 4. I have to decide before December 6th. I am leaning toward canceling this trip with the hopes that there will be others, but I am being pulled in each direction.

Has anyone else attended close to the time of a major injury and still manage to enjoy it and not get exhausted?

[laceemouse]

Can you go and use a wheelchair?

[sharadoc]

Does your leg need to be extended straight? If you rent a scooter/ECV, you can usually put your leg straight out onto the front "bumper" and be able to get around quite well without worrying that your leg is a lance in front of you just waiting to get injured!

The ECVs are VERY easy to maneuver, and are absolutely worth it vs. having to cancel the trip.

I used one on our last trip due to my rheumatoid arthritis and it was wonderful!

[mitadoh]

I agree with all the above about an ECV. On my last trip we took my mother for her first one ever and the week before she almost broke her back literally. But she was so excited about the trip she refused to cancel. We did a last minute ECV rental from an outside vendor and she had a blast. Even went on the Teacup ride. So my reccomendation is to go and have a great time.

[baloo512]

I didn't have as major surgery as you but I just had athroscopic two weeks ago and we are leaving next week. Doing pretty well but have a few concerns also to whether I will be up to full days. I figure we might do a lot of shows this year :-)!

Good luck to you.

[goofyernmost]

Originally Posted by laceemouse

Can you go and use a wheelchair?

I can but I don't particularly want to. That would require someone to push it along. I took many disabled people to WDW and I know just how exhausting that process is.

ECV rental is possible but since I am basically alone (my family is staying on-site and I am off-site) I would have to depend on the availability of an ECV on a daily basis and I am not sure what I would do if one wasn't available. I do have some mobility...I can walk with the aid of a cane but my stamina has not built up to the point of long distances. I can stand for fairly long periods of time and I'm pretty sure that I can get myself in and out of rides, with the exception of Space Mountain or Splash. But I had trouble with that before the leg injury.

Honestly, just the thought of getting from the gates at MCO to the baggage claim has me winded. Everything tells me that this isn't a good idea, yet I cannot let myself dismiss the possibility.

[duffy]

I would just save my park ticket, or add the non-expiring option to it, and just hang out at the pool and recuperate. I'd go to the parks maybe once or twice, but that's it. I'd try to arrange time together with my family at a very easily-accessed, probably off-site restaurant, or to have the kids come visit with you at the pool each day.

This way, your family still gets to have a good time.

[bjakmom]

Let me first say I'm so sorry you are having to make this tough decision and that you are not fully healed yet.
When I read your first post I was going to say "go"!, rent an ECV and do what you can. I managed our trip last year six weeks to the day following major kidney surgery for kidney cancer. I had an ECV rented, but never needed it - a trip with a grandchild will give you amazing healing powers I was staying on site, had lots of help, and really cut back my usual park plan - I was sooo happy to be sitting on a bench sometimes just watching the action (of course I was sooo happy to be ANYWHERE after the year I'd had). I did not ride any major rides that would spin or shake my body - that was the hardest part of the trip for me!
But when I read your second post, I am thinking that your circumstances are not so easy. I was not travelling alone - had lots of help - someone to pull my suitcase, drive to the resort, we were on site and took buses and boats the entire trip. Since you are not travelling to and from with anyone and will have to drive in and out of the parks every day and deal with the parking lots (this will also make it more difficult for you to jump back to your room for a rest if you need to and then meet up with your family later), I would either change where I am staying or cancel my trip. As hard as it will be to miss the trip, healing and healing well is your #1 priority.
Can you maybe get a room at the Swan or Dolphin or somewhere else on site?
Good luck making your decision - just my 2 cents! Here's to your quick and complete recovery And have a blast if you make the trip.

[maj42169]

I agree with the fact that depending on the availability of the ECV rentals at WDW is not a secure option. We took my grandparents in June for a family reunion and were only able to get the ECV on one out of the 8 days. We ended up pushing my grandmother (in her 80's) in her wheelchair the entire trip. She is somewhat mobile, but wouldn't have been able to walk it at all.

I can also see an issue of getting around if you are staying offsite while the rest of your family is on property.

My suggestion would be that if you feel the family will be traveling back to Disney again then you should rest up and heal your knee and plan on taking part in the next trip. The last thing you need to do is injure yourself more while staying alone in Florida (eventhough family is close by).

[Minxe]

i don't really have much experience to fall back upon, so i don't really have anything productive to say. but i just wanted to say how sorry i am about your situation. i know how it feels to have to face the possibility of having a trip to WDW cancelled.. i was supposed to go to the world last May for my engagement trip with my fiance but we had to call our trip off due to some family situations.

it was really disappointing, but right now, we're re-planning our trip and i'm secretly glad that we didn't go in may because if we did, my disney vacation would be long over, but right now, it hasn't even begun!

mickey will always be there, make sure you take good care of yourself!! hopefully some arrangements can be made or you'll feel well enough to go, but even if you can't go, at least it gives you something wonderful to look forward to!

[goofyernmost]

Thanks everyone for your ideas and encouragement, but I have decided that it would be just too much at this point. I have been to WDW 21 times in the past and I am sure that I will go again at some later date so trying to make it fun with a leg that at best will start to ache within an hour of the start of the day, just isn't worth it this time.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

[mlittig]

Sorry you have decided to skip this trip I am sending you good wishes and for speedy healing

[Phillygrl23]

Originally Posted by goofyernmost

Thanks everyone for your ideas and encouragement, but I have decided that it would be just too much at this point. I have been to WDW 21 times in the past and I am sure that I will go again at some later date so trying to make it fun with a leg that at best will start to ache within an hour of the start of the day, just isn't worth it this time.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

I think you made a wise decision as hard as it was. You also don't want to risk making it worse. You might would have even regretted spending all that money when you couldnt even really enjoy it. I am very sorry for your situation. But just keep focused on getting your leg better and a future WDW trip when your 100%!