Advice/Tips needed - unexpected health issues...

[RobynBirdMom]

I'm so glad I was directed to this board when I posted my question elsewhere! I need some general advice and tips on traveling with a temporary disability. We leave for our trip in just under 3 weeks, and I was just released from the hospital.
3 weeks ago I was in excellent health, running a few times a week in addition to taekwondo and keeping up with our family and business. We were doing some "spring cleaning" around the house in preparation for a long visit from my in-laws: my husband's parents are visiting from Palestine - the first time my husband has seen them in 12 years and the first time meeting them for me and the children. We thought the best way to welcome them to the US would be to take them to WDW! Anyway, while digging through the linen closet, a spider bit my left knee. To make a very long story short, after a week of visiting doctors and taking 2 different antibiotics, I was admitted to the hospital as the infection continued to spread. I was in the hospital for over a week, had 2 "big" surgeries on my knee, and am finally home with crutches, a knee immobilizer, about 24 stitches, and 4-6 weeks of outpatient IV antibiotic therapy
With DM&FIL, we are a family of 7, so we have 2 rooms booked at CBR. We had already reserved one scooter, anticipating DM&FIL both getting some use out of it (he is 68, she is 60 and has some minor foot problems). We are now planning to rent a second scooter for me. I had already requested ground floor rooms (connecting or close together). We are not planning to park hop, because I already thought that would be too much for DM&FIL. We've explained to the kids that this trip will move a little slower (last trip was in March - just me and kiddos and we went total park commando!), and we may not be able to do everything we had planned. They are just happy we still get to go.

So, thanks for reading my very long explanation! Please share any tips you have that may help us have an enjoyable vacation - I really have no idea what to expect, how to navigate the parks in a scooter, etc. I still would like to ride as many rides as possible, and will be able to walk a short distance (may still be on crutches, but hoping not). I don't really even know what questions to ask - so please toss out whatever ideas you think would help! Thanks so much!

 

[Bete]

First, I'm sorry for your troubles. Insect bites are not good.

First, try to get an attachment that will hold your crutches on the scooter; I know they have it for canes. It will be a small added fee to the rental for a crutch holder.

Some of these hints may help your in-laws, as well. Some rides allow scooters all the way to the ride, but not on the ride. You can transfer to a wheelchair if need be, too. Many times scooters are treated as wheelchairs for ride access and parades and such.

Pace yourself with rides, shows, parades and eating. Alternate between these activities; so, you can all have a rest between rides. If it gets hot than utilize air-conditioned places, too. Stay hydrated, as well. Get your husband and whoever else to help you in and out of some rides. We like to have someone in the front and someone in the back to get in and out of rides for those who may need more assistance.

If you need to remember there are first aid centers in each park.

I would say you should let the other scooter rider follow you as a lead. Get aquainted with the scooter a little. Practice a little at the resort. You do need to be aware that people will dart in front of you and you may have to stop fast or swing in another direction quickly.

If you are using Disney transportation with the buses and such to go back and forth from the parks then you will be first (when it's your turn) on the bus, but you will be last off. Remember, you will have to wait your turn if other handicap vehicles are in front of you. With two scooters you may have to wait for the next bus; so, you can all be together. Most buses have spots for two, handicap vehicles.

I would say you may even end up with 3 scooters considering your in laws. In that case I would try to rent one in the park; because, it would be quite a challenge to do 3 scooters with any transportation.

Sometimes, depending on your in laws and yourself you may want to pass on a ride and take a rest. The length of the day will dictate some of this. Be watchful of the in laws; WDW is a big place.

Good luck.

 

[minnie mum]

Hi again. Glad to see you found your way over to this site. I hope you will get all of the answers you need. Have you found the FAQ sticky yet? It is a fabulous source of information for anyone who needs a wheelchair or ECV during their visit, and will hopefully answer a lot of your questions about wheeling around WDW.

I'm sure you'll be able to get help regarding any questions surrounding your IV antibiotic therapy while on holiday, too. If you will be self administering during the day in the parks, you can take your medicine and supplies for that day to the park first aid center. They can store it for you (refrigerate if necessary) and you will have a quiet and private spot for your treatment. Will you need a local medical facility for IV site or catheter management? Someone here may be able to help with the name of a place nearby. Perhaps your doctor will refer you to a particular facility if one is necessary? And one final thought: some antibiotics can make you particularly susceptible to sunburn, so don't forget to bring a really strong sunscreen and use it often.

Good luck with your trip. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time.

 

[restful urchin]

Robynbirdmom:
Ouch to all your troubles. From a spider too. Yuck!!

Now I'm putting on my RN cap. I'm worried about you and your trip for many reasons.
You recently got out of the hospital and are on long term antibiotics. I assume you have a Picc line or such. This whole situation is a stressor.

You are meeting inlaws for the first time. And you probably want to make a good impression (which I have no doubt that you will do!!!, but not feeling your best and traveling to WDW will make everything harder. Another stressor.

How is your husband with being Mr Mom? Your kids will still need alot of parenting at this age and unless your hubby is great at it and a take charge kind of guy, you are going to be taking care of them too. When you are already going to be *low* on your own batteries.... this can be exausting.

Is your husband independant? Can he take care of himself and your kids and his parents, and possibly you?

Do you inlaws really want to go to WDW or are they going because you and hubby think they will enjoy it?
Will the inlaws enjoy it if you aren't feeling well and coming back to the room early etc? (Just a possibility) If the inlaws are only going because you are, then I'd rethink it.

I'm hoping that all will be fine and that you are going to have a wonderful time, but I'm worried about the above.
Personally I'd cancel the trip as I think you really have alot going on right now. And the antibiotics just add more. Remember, you are on antibiotcs because there is still an infection in your body. Your'e not at 100% yet.

All I can say is take it really slow, do not push yourself and spike a temp or wear yourself out.
Good luck to you. We are all hoping that you have a great time and more importantly that you get well soon.

I hate spiders!!
Liz

 

[RobynBirdMom]

Thanks everyone! Liz, you bring up some good points. My DH and kiddos have been really great - DD especially is a very responsible kid and has been so helpful.

DM&FIL will be here 5 days before we depart for WDW. DH feels like, with my health issues, I'll will be slowed down to everyone elses' level now Before "along came a spider", we had planned for DH to take his parents back to the resort when they were tuckered out, and I would stay with the kids and play for a while longer. Now we're thinking we'll be doing the parks in very short increments, and treating this more like a relaxing vacation with a side of Disney. The kids have been really good sports - such good sports that DH is letting me book another stay for when I'm fully recovered and we can go park commando again

I am still concerned about how I'll be feeling 2 weeks from now. I see my doctors this week and will talk with them about what my expectations should be for recovery and how I might feel in 2 weeks, a month, etc. There's certainly a possibility that we may have to postpone this vacation, but I'm praying we can still go if we take it real easy. I'm hoping if I'm in a scooter and we spend lots of time in the AC, I'll be able to enjoy the slower side of Disney that I may have rushed right by in the past. I've talked with DM&FIL on the phone, and they seem to have the same attitude my DH has - we'll see what we can and enjoy relaxing when we feel like it. They're looking forward to eating the great variety of food available at Disney!

Many thanks again for the tips and suggestions - keep 'em coming!

 

[pbrim]

One bit of advice from a trip with two people on scooters -- you may want to see if you can get/rig up a safety flag for one or both of the scooters. I mean one of those little flags on a tall flexible pole like some bicycles have. Sitting in a scooter, your visibility can be somewhat limited and you may get separated from the person ahead.

With as many of you as there are in the party, it may not be a problem at all. We had just the two of us and, while we never actually got separated for very long, a flag would have relieved some anxiety.

 

[seashoreCM]

Whether you are following in a scooter or an automobile it is the leader who is responsible for not getting separated. You should all go slowly enough to prevent problems of this kind.

 

[CoffeeCup]

Be sure to talk to your doctor about the side effects of your antibiotics. I had a picc line for several super-strength anitbiotics after surgery for a leg infection from a cat bite, and I had to stay out of the sun while I was on the anitbiotics. I also had certain dietary restrictions such as no dairy products for several hours before and after taking some of the antibiotics. I don't know if you have a picc line, but when I did, I had to be careful not to get it wet and not to catch the little tubes hanging down my upper arm. I also was warned that taking so many antibiotics for an extended period of time often caused a yeast infection, but I avoided that by eating at least one carton of yougart every day...within the limited time each day that I could have dairy products.

I hope your trip works out to be wonderful for you and your family, and I think you will be fine as long as everyone agrees that you won't try to do as much as usual on this trip.

 

[RobynBirdMom]

Thanks Coffee Cup - I do have a picc line and have been trying to find a better way to keep it from getting wet. For showering, I use a ziploc bag , cut down the sides so I can wrap it length-wise around my arm. I'm only on one antibiotic thus far (Daptomycin), but have a re-check today to make sure it is effective. I'm allergic to many antibiotics and not a single one the docs have tried so far has been fully effective - they just started the dapto the day I left the hospital. If anyone has been on it and knows the side effects, please share! The doctor didn't mention anything specific. I'll definitely be wearing a big sun hat and slathering on the sunblock. Haven't noticed any other side effects from it yet, and since yogurt is one of few things that appeals to me right now, I've been eating at least 2 containers every day.

I did venture out of the house for the first time since being released, and drove a scooter around the market for a bit. It was a little trickier to drive than I expected and I definitely will make a few more trips to the market to practice before our vacation! I was also disappointed to find that getting in and out of the car is still very difficult and painful, and hoping I make much progress very quickly.

I've read through all the tips in the FAQ thread (wow, Sue is very dedicated - so appreciate all that info!), but didn't find an answer to this: When transferring out of the ECV to a ride - if I'm still using crutches (most likely), will the CMs put them aside for me, or would I need to have another member of my party hold them? Not sure that I'll even be feeling up to riding very many, but I'm hopeful.

Thanks everyone!

 

[CoffeeCup]

I kept my picc line dry by wrapping my arm with Glad Press and Seal. It worked well for a shower. I wore long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves when I went out since I didn't like for people to see the tubes hanging down my arm. Keep using sunblock, but I think I also developed a sensitivity to heat. When I was in the sun for very long, I would have red spotches on my arms like a heat rash, not sun burn.