Any Dis Doctors here?

[disgram]

Long story, short, I am receiving chemo again am taking a couple weeks off, (with Dr's ok) to go to WDW in Sept. Problem is, I have a Medi-port for the chemo and am getting all sorts of comments, information etc. as to what I can and cannot ride. My Dr. is not a Disney Nut, like I am, or the rest of us, (in fact, I don't think he even knows where it is! good dr. though) so here is my question. The port is on the right side, near upper part of the artery. What can I ride? I am really not into roller coasters, but I do love Kali River Rapids, Splash Mountain and Kilimanjaro. Are these appropriate? What else can I do? I have had this trip planned for so long and it is paid off. I do not want to cancel this trip as I had to the last one and I really need to get away for even a short time. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Nanajo1]

I am not a MD. I do have a portacath. I avoid rides that have shoulder harness type retraints and any ride that might throw me forward bumping my chest. This is my own plan. No MD has told me otherwise. I'm not a big roller coaster fan so I don't usually do them.
Have a great trip.

 

[cm8]

Long story, short, I am receiving chemo again am taking a couple weeks off, (with Dr's ok) to go to WDW in Sept. Problem is, I have a Medi-port for the chemo and am getting all sorts of comments, information etc. as to what I can and cannot ride. My Dr. is not a Disney Nut, like I am, or the rest of us, (in fact, I don't think he even knows where it is! good dr. though) so here is my question. The port is on the right side, near upper part of the artery. What can I ride? I am really not into roller coasters, but I do love Kali River Rapids, Splash Mountain and Kilimanjaro. Are these appropriate? What else can I do? I have had this trip planned for so long and it is paid off. I do not want to cancel this trip as I had to the last one and I really need to get away for even a short time. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance!!!!

hi, side as in your chest?*** I would think that since it is implanted the risk of infection is low, but I am not your Doctor and therefore not qualified to say what is what*** Since we don't provide medical advice here( not that I am implying that you are seeking any either, just want to cover my bu....bases ) I think your Dr. should be able to tell you what you need avoid. I think that if you are worried about the port dislodging due to the force of the ride, then you should tell him that he can view videos of it on you tube to see if it would be too much force for you. Anyway I hope you get your "answer"

 

[jlw29]

Sent you a PM

 

[Wee Annie]

Long story, short, I am receiving chemo again am taking a couple weeks off, (with Dr's ok) to go to WDW in Sept. Problem is, I have a Medi-port for the chemo and am getting all sorts of comments, information etc. as to what I can and cannot ride. My Dr. is not a Disney Nut, like I am, or the rest of us, (in fact, I don't think he even knows where it is! good dr. though) so here is my question. The port is on the right side, near upper part of the artery. What can I ride? I am really not into roller coasters, but I do love Kali River Rapids, Splash Mountain and Kilimanjaro. Are these appropriate? What else can I do? I have had this trip planned for so long and it is paid off. I do not want to cancel this trip as I had to the last one and I really need to get away for even a short time. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance!!!!

Hi! My daughter has a port implanted in about the same place (on chemo) and she rode Kali and Kilimanjaro (didn't want to ride Splash -- she's only 4). I never thought about the port being a problem as far as rides go. The only restriction we received was that she can't hang by her arms from bars, etc.

HTH

Ann

 

[gamomof2]

our daughter rode everything. Didn't even think about the port being a problem. Have a great time.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not a doctor, but am a nurse. So, I can’t give medical advice, but can give Nursing advice.

I am not sure which company makes Medi-port (the most common implantable ports in this area are Port-a-Cath, made by Smiths Medical). You should have a card that was given you when you got the port that has the company’s name.
I would suggest contacting the manufacturer with your question.

For the rides you are asking about, none of them have shoulder or chest harnesses, so would not put any pressure over the port, but I do agree that knowing a little more about those attractions might help your doctor to give you some better advice.
You may also want to consider that many chemotherapy drugs can affect the platelets in your blood, which can lead to easier bruising and/or bleeding. All of those rides can have some element of bumping or hard hits/drops, which could invite a bruise. So, even if it’s OK from a port point of view, it may not be a good idea from a bruising/bleeding point of view.

Here is a past thread that has some information about travel with a port which may be helpful (although it doesn’t address your question).