Any Tips for Cancer survivor!

[dizprincess27]

Hi all,

I just got done chemotherapy in July 2011 for Ovarian Cancer and was just wondering if anyone has had the experience of going to Disney a few months later? I am planning to go in December and am hoping I will have the energy at that point to walk around and such. At least it won't be blazing hot that's for sure but I wanted to know if anyone has any experience doing this and if so do you have any tips for me! People told me to get through this so I can go back to Disney and I really want to go so any help is greatly appreciated!! Can't wait to go back

 

[Mickey527]

Hi congratulations on your step forward into your new life.
I am a breast cancer survivor, 7 years now and 3 more to go. I was stage 4 so I have 10 years before I can call myself cancer free but I am feeling great about the next 3 years.
I finished my chemo in March and had my last of 38 radiation treatments on May 18 2005 and left for WDW on May 21. My family celebrated with me, we had 6 rooms on the top floor of Pop Century.
My birthday is May 27 and I wanted to spend it at my favorite place. It was hot but I love the heat.
I have to say I felt great. Never felt tired, and was able to do almost everything that the rest of the family did except the water parks but that is because I don't like the water parks. I just went to Epcot that day and met up with them after.
I did get a guest assistance card and used it a few times but I had a big group with me and we just waited in lines.
Some of my best memories were the nights we hung out on the walkway of the resort sitting on those chairs they have in the rooms drinking and telling stories. We had the entire length of the walkway since they didn't put anyone else on our "floor" so it was great. My sons did the window decorating like other resort guests, except the window was filled from bottom to top with budweiser cans. I have pictures.....

 

[dizprincess27]

Well a big congratulations to you on 7 years and counting that's absolutely wonderful. I was a stage 3 C they call it and I am just beginning the journey of praying it never comes back. My mom is a 22 year survivor of the same cancer and we both have a mutated gene that we just found out about. I have some issues right now like painful and annoying dry eye, neuropathy and pain in my joints and very dry skin on my face specifically along with pretty bad fatigue. I just returned to work after 6 months of being out b/c I had to or go on LT disability. I was told that it takes time for the chemo to get out of the system and I suppose everyone is different regarding how long it takes. I just want to go to my fav place with my daughter and her friend and be able to have the energy to walk around and enjoy myself. Thank you for sharing your story and again that's amazing that you were a stage 4 and have been cancer free 7 years WOW.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I am an ovarian cancer survivor. I have been cancer free for 26 years. Back then it was suppose to be 5 years cancer free then you would get the all clear whistle. Eventually I was told 20 years with ovarian cancer.

I would sure go to Disneyland or world. You have been through so much sounds like a vacation is just what you need.

Just plan around your Dr visits. For the first 6 months you will go every two weeks ( or 1 month) to see the cancer Dr. Then 6 months every other month, then every 3 months, moving on to every 6 months and then last few years once a year.

You and I both know how lucky we are. So enjoy what makes you the happiest.

I was only 33 years old back 26 years ago.

Congratulations and have fun planning your trip.

Patty

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

CONGRATS!!!!

In Jan of 2006, I had my last round of chemo and a stemcell transplant, I had 2b multiple sclerosing persistant hodgkins disease. In that same year I went to disney in July,Aug,and Dec and the shortest trip was 7days. Granted I was 25 and have two young kids I felt good on regular days. I had some trouble b/c I basically went through menopause so the hot flashes were a bit rough and I can't hold on to things for long periods of time w/out getting uncomfortable. Most of those have passed the hot flashes have thank goodness, I still get to feeling uncomfortable when holding things so as long as someone is w/ me that I can pass them off to I am ok. Lots and lots of water and gatorade or powerade maybe even a small fan for when standing in line.

Best of Luck, have a great time!!!!

 

[dizprincess27]

Congrats to you all in how far you've come and thank you so much for the well wishes!! I am taking it one day at a time but I know I want to celebrate being done Chemo at Disney for sure

I was just a bit intimidated due to how fatigued I've been. But it's a few months away so hopefully I will have much more energy then. I will take lots of breaks througout the day and the weather will be much more tolerable than the summer heat so I should be more than fine! I'll be disney dancing

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Congrats to all of you. I am too a breast cancer survivor. I finished my treatment in August of 2008. I actually went on a DCL cruise in the middle of my chemotherapy treatments. I actually felt pretty good. I would recommend just taking it easy and taking it slow. You can still have a wonderful time in the parks, just go at whatever pace is comfortable.

 

[kofslinky]

Congrats on how awesome you're doing!!! I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in November of 2010 (at 27... yuck!), still doing chemo, and I'm going for a long weekend at the end of September this year. I figure where better to be happy than the happiest place on Earth! I'm planning on taking it a little slower than I did last time (pre-chemo), more breaks from walking, possibly a wheelchair for EPCOT since its a LOT of walking and my breathing isn't as good as it used to be, but I'm planning on having a BLAST! My long weekend falls right in the middle of two chemo treatments, but I'm going and can't wait. Good luck, and I know you'll make those three years to be cancer free!!!!!

 

[dizprincess27]

Everyone has been such an inspiration and I kind of feel guilty b/c I'm done and still don't feel up to par! I really have some residual issues and am desperately trying to overcome them so i am highly encouraged by all you survivors!!! Let's celebrate in the Happiest place on Earth!!

 

[dis-happy]

This past spring I celebrated my 20 year date of being cancer free from stage 4 cancer. It's been a few years of course, but I remember my energy levels coming back slowly after chemo. Do what you can, I'm sure you'll have a terrific celebration trip and lots of memories too!!!

 

[DisneyMim]

My husband is a cancer survivor. We are long time and frequent visitors to Disney. The first time we went after his cancer surgery we stayed at WL. At check-in I explained about my husband and asked for a quiet room. The CM was very helpful and gave us a very quiet room ( I think it may have been an upgrade). This is my piece of advice to you. Ask for a quiet room so at the end of the day, or if you need s nap during the day, you can get the sleep you will need. Also we do not do commando touring at all. We just take our time and see and do what we can. I have fibromyalgia so we have really slowed down. My other advice to you...do not think you have to do everything. Take frequent breaks, have a drink of water (or whatever) and just do what you can. You can always go back!!!

Congratulations on your survival. I hope you feel better and better every day.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[KPeveler]

While I am not a cancr survivor, I definitely understand Disney as an escape from medical troubles and stress. My wife and I have a rule that when we are in Florida, we will not talk about medical stuff, just to give ourselves a break!

Dont be afraid to rent a scooter/ECV to get around. Chemo and radiation can kill your energy and stamina and cause peripheral neuropathy. There is nothing wrong with using wheels to get around so you can conserve your strength and enjoy the parks!

 

[PatsMom]

I am a bladder cancer survivor, only one year out and like ovarian cancer bladder cancer tends to hang around a long time. So I have ongoing treatments and checkups. I am tired a lot - mostly from anemia. My bone marrow just doesn't seem to want to make red blood cells! I have been to Disney a few times since my treatments started. The first trip was during recovery from the two surgeries to remove the tumor and confirm the staging. I took things easy and did a bit more pool time than usual.

Since then, I time trips so that they don't coincide with my treatment cycles. The treatment for bladder cancer can leave you very susceptible to diseases since they treat you with a live tuberculosis virus. So I plan my trips for when my immune system has recovered. You should be far enough out from chemo for that not to be a concern.

I do avoid buffets because I have become a bit germophobic from all the treatments. Good luck to you! Cancer survival is a journey.

 

[disgram]

Congratulations!!!! God be with you!
I had colon cancer 41/2 years ago. As soon as the chemo was done, I went to WDW with my daughter and granddaughters. We had a wonderful time. Then last May I had to have surgery as the drs discovered Liver cancer. I had chemo after, my girlfriend and I went to WDW to celebrate. Now I am going this October to celebrate the fact that I don't have to have chemo and that my oncologist (sp) said that they could not find anymore cancer so they consider me in remission and I don't have to go back to the dr. for 3 months!!!! By all means, go! Get a scooter delivered to your resort and go! It sure helps with the exhaustion. Go and enjoy and God Bles

 

[dizprincess27]

Congrats to all you survivors and again thanks for the words of encouragement. I was feeling very nervous about the trip but now I know there are many others in my situation that have gone and enjoyed themselves!! I'm in PT now trying to regain some of my strength so I'm hoping not to have to use an ECV but I will if necessary!!

 

[Nature Mom]

Congrats on the end of your treatment! I am also an ovarian cancer survivor. That was in '97 and I have had 2 re-occurrences since then. I know how wiped out you may feel at times and I can understand your concern about not being physically ready to handle going to WDW, but you can do it! Look what you've just come through! By December, you will be even stronger. I didn't go to WDW right after my treatment ended, but I did do the 3-day walk...and I made it all 60 miles! I just started out with simple stuff to bring back my strength like yoga and tai chi and just walking around my neighborhood. During the Walk, I paced myself and listened to my body and made it, so take your time and you can do the same.

Everyone has been such an inspiration and I kind of feel guilty b/c I'm done and still don't feel up to par! I really have some residual issues and am desperately trying to overcome them so i am highly encouraged by all you survivors!!! Let's celebrate in the Happiest place on Earth!!

Don't feel guilty. Treatment truly does change your body. My nervous system is fried, I have so many residual issues, but I am alive, and that is enough. I have been out of treatment for over 3 years and still don't feel up to par (I have lupus, so I blame that sometimes, lol). Don't rush yourself. Take time to heal and to get to know your body and you'll feel so much better if you just give yourself time. It took lots of time and drugs to get the disease out, it will take time to rebuild the healthy parts too.

Congrats to all you survivors and again thanks for the words of encouragement. I was feeling very nervous about the trip but now I know there are many others in my situation that have gone and enjoyed themselves!! I'm in PT now trying to regain some of my strength so I'm hoping not to have to use an ECV but I will if necessary!!

Wishing you (and all the PP survivors..and supporters) all the best.

 

[dizprincess27]

Congratulations Nature Mom on your amazing recovery and thank you for your advice. I am in physical therapy now and am getting stronger every day thank goodness. I have fibromyalgia but it was in remission for 12 years until treatment anyway because I think it's back . I'm keeping up with therapy and am back at work and I want to start walking around my neighborhood too so that will help! It's such an ordeal as you all know and it's the subtle residual things we deal with after treatment that are very annoying and tiring. It is strong stuff they give us to kill the disease so it certainly will take time to get it out of our systems!