30 more days 'til our Anniversary trip and my husband broke his foot!

[mccathy]

Apparently my husband thought he was ten again and tried holding one foot with the opposite hand and jumping thru that space. The first time he fell flat on his face - the second try he fell to the ground and wouldn't stop laughing.

It was kind of funny, 'til he couldn't walk on it. And really not funny the next day when the doctor told him it was, in fact, broken.

Anyway.... 3 weeks without putting weight on it (crutches) and then 2 more weeks with a walking boot.

I'll save you the math - we leave in 4 weeks and 2 days. We'd be coming home the day the doctor would give him the all clear to walk without the boot (so long as everything heals correctly).

So... any advice for touring with a walking boot. We're signed up for the Keys to the Kingdom tour - should we get a wheel chair for that?

Also... This was OUR trip - leaving the kids behind to be able to move around as quickly or slowly as we wanted! No strollers.. no fuss. And now this. I'm trying to look on the bright side - we're going to leave our never-ending Chicago Winter and be in the Happiest Place on Earth! And I've got some great ADRs scheduled... I'm just bummed about this and he's feeling super guilty about his stupid moves. (His words - not mine.)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. I would definitely choose an ECV rather than a wheelchair. There are hills and unless you are used to pushing a wheelchair it can totally wear you out. Most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW.

2. I would suggest renting from off-site. The ECVs are better and less expensive. Also, for the off-site rentals you can have a crutch holder installed, so the crutches will be available for places where he may not want to take the ECV (such as inside a store or restaurant).

3. I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs. On Post #2 we have a lot of information for people with mobility/stamina issues, included a list of recommended locations for wheelchair or ECV rental. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

 

[LaurenT]

We use Walker Mobility. They'll have it waiting for you when you check in at BC....

 

[mckinley]

I would definately get him something to ride in. My dd broke her foot summer 2009 (luckily it was a few days after our trip to Disney), but it was hard for her to walk long periods of times without becoming exhausted.

 

[chellewashere]

I feel your pain. My DH broke his foot on 12/20 but he is 2 months without walking on it (had 3 pins put in) and then a month with the boot.
I wish you all the best of luck. I know how hard is it for ya right now

 

[Kat&Dom]

Sorry! I hope that you have a great anniversary trip in spite of the hassle of a broken foot. I would recommend getting a scooter from an off-site source so that he will have the scooter for getting around the resort and the parks.

In November, we rented a scooter from Apple Scooters for my mom. They dropped it off at All Star Music and picked it up from Cypress Pointe from reception. It was only $120 for the 6 days my mom needed it. I was so glad that we had the scooter so that she could enjoy the parks, enjoy shopping and getting around the resorts. We had a rental car and the scooter fit in the truck of it. It was very easy to assemble and deal with.

It is a lot of walking and it will probably be easier on everyone if he has a scooter for your trip. Good luck!

 

[mccathy]

I feel your pain. My DH broke his foot on 12/20 but he is 2 months without walking on it (had 3 pins put in) and then a month with the boot.
I wish you all the best of luck. I know how hard is it for ya right now

TWO MONTHS! Oh my! I hope you're not somewhere with snow!? Two months! Phew - these 3 weeks seem like nothing. Hopefully you've got family nearby and some great friends/neighbors to help you out! Two months!?!?!

And thanks... it's frustrating having to do "everything". But, it could be worse.

 

[mccathy]

Thanks everyone - the good news is some of this research I'm doing now will help out in June when I take my mom.

Here's my thoughts... Do you all really think he'll need an ECV if he's in the walking boot? He doesn't seem to think so, but since he'll have a few days without crutches before we go, I think he might change his mind. If he does think he doesn't need one for the entire week then I think we'll just rent one at MK the morning of our tour.

If he does... I'm thinking of renting a car so that we don't have to deal with the busses.

He just keeps insisting that "I can walk. The doctor said I can walk by then." Of course he also insisted that his foot was not broken.

 

[chellewashere]

TWO MONTHS! Oh my! I hope you're not somewhere with snow!? Two months! Phew - these 3 weeks seem like nothing. Hopefully you've got family nearby and some great friends/neighbors to help you out! Two months!?!?!

And thanks... it's frustrating having to do "everything". But, it could be worse.

Nope Philly area lots and lots of snow. First time I have ever had to shovel so much snow in my life Plus it was right before Christmas so I had to do all that by myself too....oh JOY. Its ok cause once hes done he will owe me BIG time now. I should be keeping a journal about everytime he sees me sit down then says...oh honey Im sorry but can you blah blah blah...the big babies
He will hopefully be getting the last 2 pins out next week then its boot time and Im hoping that will be alot easier

 

[ZoZo]

Thanks everyone - the good news is some of this research I'm doing now will help out in June when I take my mom.

Here's my thoughts... Do you all really think he'll need an ECV if he's in the walking boot? He doesn't seem to think so, but since he'll have a few days without crutches before we go, I think he might change his mind. If he does think he doesn't need one for the entire week then I think we'll just rent one at MK the morning of our tour.

If he does... I'm thinking of renting a car so that we don't have to deal with the busses.

He just keeps insisting that "I can walk. The doctor said I can walk by then." Of course he also insisted that his foot was not broken.

I'd rent an ECV, even though he'll "officially" be walking by the time you get there. I just had foot surgery in August, and even when you can start putting weight on your foot, that doesn't mean you can walk all day long on it! That means you can start putting weight on it.

If you can't convince him, talk to the doctor again. Have him clarify what he meant; I can practically guarantee you that he didn't mean "You should walk 8 to 10 miles per day for several days in a row."

If your husband tries to do too much, too soon, he will very likely re-injure his foot and set back his recovery. Talk to the doctor.

 

[welovespacemoutain]

Get an ECV and he should wear the boot the entire time if for no other reason than to protect his foot. DD has ankle issues and cannot walk for long on pavement and her ankle been kicked repeatedly and stepped on even when in a wheelchair (yes, someone stepped up on the top of her ankle that was resting on the wheelchair foot support when we were in the handicapped line waiting to ride the teacups). After the all clear from her surgery the exact words out of the doctors mouth were that she could resume her normal activities but just don't do something like walk around a theme park.

Also - prepare for rain - have something to cover the boot in case it rains!

If he won't go for the ECV - do a wheelchair. Harder to push but easier to maneuver a lot of places (having done Disney with my Dad in an ECV and DD in a wheelchair several times)

Have a great time! If nothing else it will slow you down just enough to appreciate the little things at WDW!

 

[shocker]

A lesson in not doing stupid things shortly before a big trip. Our cousin ran up her stairs like she was 12 again and JUST missed the bottom step. OUCH! One broken foot later, she's hobbling around WDW like a madwoman. Thinks she can run-walk really fast in a boot to get a FP

 

[tchrrx]

My DH broke his foot at EPCOT on our last trip. DD was hopscotching in England, and he thought he would join her.

My advice to you would be to definitely rent an ECV. Pushing a wheelchair around is not easy! He actually spent the rest of the trip pretty much in the room b/c it was too hard on me to push him around.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Men...don't you just love them? My DH blew out his knee playing soccer when he was 30. It was one month before our first trip to WDW. I asked the doctor if we should go on the trip? For my DH, the doctor said, "He'll be okay, he'll just be in some pain." We had to reschedule.

Anyway, happy anniversary. I hope you both enjoy your special trip.

 

[cajunbaby1]

Isn't that just like a man?! They never grow up no matter how old they get. Hope you guys still have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Hanover]

I recently did 2 WDW trips in a walking boot. One was this past October, one in December. The 3rd week of September I got some wood stuck in my foot, got a bad infection and had to have emergency surgery. I was non weight bearing 3 weeks and then in a walking boot for 4 months. In October, my stitches on the bottom of my foot were just out and the incision was healing. There was no way I could walk on it all day without it rubbing. My surgeon had recommended a scooter too and told me I'd be miserable without one. I rented a scooter from Apple and had a great time, no pain/worry about my foot. In December I was still in the boot when we cruised/did WDW. At that time my incision had healed and I felt like I could walk in the boot fine and managed to go all day for about 4 days in the parks. Had I had any pain or fatigue, my plan was to rent a scooter again. I really think it depends on the pain, if there is any swelling and how he's doing at home walking around. I would not have wanted to walk with any pain all day. Now that I'm out of the boot without the cushioned support, I still have pain where the foot tissue was removed and would probably rather have the scooter than walk all day on it right now in a theme park. I got a lot of great advice on the DisAbility forum and was glad I didn't try to "tough it out" that first trip.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

OP, don't stress! You can have a perfectly wonderful vacation with a bum-something.

Get your hands on an ECV or wheelchair or something. It will be a lot of walking, and I can speak from personal experience (after deciding I could to California Adventure on crutches after knee surgery... I made it to guest services and was worn out - granted, we did walk the parking lot... from the back).

I caved and rented a wheelchair for the day. If he has crutches or anything and you rent a chair from the park, they will hold the crutches for you for the day.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). They will ask what type of accommodations he will need to have a successful trip - you may consider requesting assistance for rides with stairs. Even in a walking boot, stairs are a PITA...

Also, talk to his doctor about starting an anti-inflammatory regimine about 4-5 days before you go. Even if he is in a chair or scooter, he'll be sore. Trust me. I've had more surgeries on my feet, ankles, and knees than I care to remember to count (14...) before I was 20.

Finally... tell him to not be a hero. If he's sore/hurting, there's no point to push himself because he will just be more miserable.

Good luck!

 

[mccathy]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to push the ECV - now I need to decide if we should rent off site and then get a rental car or just pick one up in the parks? My only worry about that is being able to get an ECV mid-day.

Looks like I have more research to do... everything else is planned - so I might as well figure out this ECV stuff.

He did tell his doctor he was going to Disney World and she said, "Oh, you'll be walking by then. I'll be sure to get you a handicap sticker so you can park closer." Maybe she's never been/doesn't remember how much actual walking is involved once you are in the parks?



Did any of you who rented scooters off-site use the Disney buses? How'd that go?

 

[mccathy]

Nope Philly area lots and lots of snow. First time I have ever had to shovel so much snow in my life Plus it was right before Christmas so I had to do all that by myself too....oh JOY. Its ok cause once hes done he will owe me BIG time now. I should be keeping a journal about everytime he sees me sit down then says...oh honey Im sorry but can you blah blah blah...the big babies
He will hopefully be getting the last 2 pins out next week then its boot time and Im hoping that will be alot easier

Oh no - Philly area - you guys have been hit hard over and over again! I just spent over an hour chipping ice away so he wouldn't slip on his crutches... it's sort of theraputic, until I come in and remember I have laundry to do... and dishes... and dinner... and well, you know.

My son had surgery on his feet last spring and had pins in each - that's a whole 'nother story, but I do know it was more painful with the pins than just a break like my husband has. Hopefully those pins come out and he's ready to use the walking boot. (not to scare you, but when they took my son's pins out the doctor wanted him off his feet for two more weeks before he could put weight on them.)

I'm thinking/hoping things around the house will be easier with the walking boot for you! so long as he didn't forget how to help out.

 

[mccathy]

OP, don't stress! You can have a perfectly wonderful vacation with a bum-something.

Get your hands on an ECV or wheelchair or something. It will be a lot of walking, and I can speak from personal experience (after deciding I could to California Adventure on crutches after knee surgery... I made it to guest services and was worn out - granted, we did walk the parking lot... from the back).

I caved and rented a wheelchair for the day. If he has crutches or anything and you rent a chair from the park, they will hold the crutches for you for the day.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). They will ask what type of accommodations he will need to have a successful trip - you may consider requesting assistance for rides with stairs. Even in a walking boot, stairs are a PITA...

Also, talk to his doctor about starting an anti-inflammatory regimine about 4-5 days before you go. Even if he is in a chair or scooter, he'll be sore. Trust me. I've had more surgeries on my feet, ankles, and knees than I care to remember to count (14...) before I was 20.

Finally... tell him to not be a hero. If he's sore/hurting, there's no point to push himself because he will just be more miserable.

Good luck!

Don't be a hero! He went to work yesterday and it took him 30 minutes to get to his desk from his car (usually 5 minutes). He said he had to stop twice because he got tired. He's complaining about his underarms being sore, his arms being sore, and both legs being sore. Right now he's just convinced that once he can walk he'll be good to go. He even said, "I could probably walk fast than you."

Sounds like you have a lot of experience with all your surgeries...

thanks for all the advice.