3rd degree burn on foot

[tiggerlvr]

I unfortunatley have a third degree burn on my foot, it is infected..just started heavyduty antibiotics today (my second round) hope this works, I leave in 7 days!!! the doctor says I should wear a flip flop on this foot or a slipper as I cannot wear my shoe, now I also have arthritis and from limping around from my foot, it has given me a flair up of my arthritis in my knee on the opposite leg!!!! I am afraid between my foot and my knee I am not going to be able to walk around.....but also would hate to have a wheelchair....(although my arthritis doc suggested this to begin with) any thoughts, I just don't want people saying I'm faking...as I am healthy otherwise.

 

[Talking Hands]

Ignore other people. Get an ECV and enjoy your stay. It doesn't matter what people say.

 

[AprilsZoo]

If someone makes a rude comment suggesting that you are "faking it" you can let them have a look of your beautiful wound on your foot. That should remove all doubt from their mind and leave them to figure out how to get their own foot out of their big mouth!

 

[JudithM]

Lisa, said it well ... don't worry about what other people think or say. I would also suggest you rent an ECV - you will be independent - no one will have to push you around & you can move around as you like. Plus you can stretch out your foot & leg if needed. Hope you begin to feel better soon & can enjoy your trip!

 

[travelitis]

People will notice the slipper on one foot and not on the other and probably won't be giving you dirty looks. One trip I'd had enough of those looks, so I wrapped an ankle to give these idiots who stare something to look at. It made a definite difference how people treated me when they could see what they thought was my disability. This trip I'm not worrying about it. What's most important is being able to enjoy my trip. You need either a wheelchair or ECV. I can't fathom you crippling around the parks. You don't have to be totally incapacitated to need mobility assistance.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others. Get an ecv and don't worry about it. Those who think someone would "fake" using a wheelchair have never traveled with a wheelchair.
There are people who will look at everyone (even people with severe permanent disabilities) and think they are "cheating". You know what you need to conserve your energy. Don't let other people prevent you from using what you need.

 

[Tiger Fan]

I agree with everyone that we should not care what others think, but I have to admit that I'm a little worried on this trip as well. In all my previous trips I was bald from chemo and figured most understand. However now I'm sporting a nice long hairdo and look perfectly healthy. I can easily walk short distances and will frequently get off my scooter. The reason I worry is last week at the grocery store I was returning an electric cart and was literally accosted by a man waiting to use it. He told me how inconsiderate it was of me to be so lazy as to use a scooter when people like him really needed one. I should have just walked off since you can't reason with crazy people, but I started to explain that I have cancer, and was immediately interrupted while she said he too has cancer and even had to have his leg amputated. I just said sorry and walked off. I know that by just looking at me you can't tell I am week from weekly chemo, have two fractures in my spine, broken ribs from tumors and severe arthritis induced from chemo, but I really need the help of a scooter. What I really wanted to do was raise my shirt and show him my amputated parts (or lack of) as well !! Just wanted to say I relate and vent a little too - thanks !

Lisa

 

[mamajoan]

Hi, I hope you wound heals quickly. I have one suggestion.

If the wound is still open and your leg,ankle, foot is swollen, I suggest you get a wheel chair that will allow you to elevate that let. However I do not know if the disney w/c's have elevating leg rests... I doubt that they do...
If you utilize the ECV.. which can be a grand way to get around the parks if you have the need, please put your leg up. Elevate it as much as possible. Increased swelling will decrease the blood flow in your leg therefore decreasing the ability of the wound to heal. So anytime you get a chance to elevate your leg please do.. don't worry about what others will think.. hec, I really don't think they want a view of your oozing foot.....

Tiger Fan/Lisa... I am glad that you are in recovery. I am sorry that the man had to try to one up you in the cancer area... that is truly sad...

Best wishes!

 

[tiggerlvr]

Thank you everyone for your advice, I went to the doctors yesterday and it looks like I have to keep my foot up as much as possible. Hopefully it will be getting better with the super duper antibiotics. but it looks like it will be a wheelchair for me after all, thanks for the advice of the ECV with ability to keep my foot up. Tiggerfan sorry to hear that man gave you a hard time......people can be so mean.... thanks again everyone

 

[SueM in MN]

Try not to worry about what people think. We've overheard people saying they think our DD is "cheating" because they see her sitting on a bench with her legs crossed, swinging her foot with her wheelchair parked next to her. She can't even stand up without someone supporting her and can't even walk with a walker. But to them, since she's sitting on a bench, she must be cheating. So, some people will judge no matter what.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have the links here to the off-site medical equipment companies, but it sounds like you should rent from off site. That way you can have a wheelchair available all the time and have one with an elevating legrest - I think (like momajoan) that the ones for rent in the parks just have fixed legrests.

 

[Nanajo1]

You worry about what people will say if you use a mobility device because you look healthy! and you are limping with a flip-flop on one foot and bad knees. Worry about what I would say when I saw you. I would say that poor person doesn't know there are many devices out there to help her! why didn't someone tell her!
Use what you need to enjoy your trip.

 

[sneezy1956]

I've had the same worries and because of that suffered my last two trips to Disney and didn't get to see nearly what I wanted to.

I decided this trip I will use and ECV and enjoy my trip. I pay the same as the next person for my trip. Even if I don't look sick I have RA and Fibro and most of the time I hurt all over.