Back Surgery

[ntsammy5]

We are planning a trip to Disney in December. It's already planned and paid for and cannot be changed. The first week I am solo and that's no problem, but the second week is at Bonnet Creek for a week.

My wife is having back surgery in a couple of weeks - having a couple of lumbar vertebrae fused - she has terrible pain in her L5 nerve right now. They will also put in pins to stabilize everything. I plan on pushing her in a wheelchair the one day we plan on going to Epcot to see the Candlelight Processional.

Can anyone who has had this kind of surgery give me any hints of what we can expect? The trip will be after more than 4 months of recuperation. TIA.

 

[Janell]

Ive had 13 verabra fused about 19 years ago, along with rods, screws and hooks to hold my spine in place. I live with pain still, but I have found several things that help take away the pain. One thing that maybe hard for your wife is if you are flying. I would recommend extra leg room. So she can move around a little easier.

If she has pain when she walks, I would look into MBT shoes. They are like the Skechers Shape Up, but I think MBT's are better for people who have pain.

You may want to bring some memory foam for her to sleep on. It has really helped me. I have stayed at Boardwalk Inn and the beds were good. Where at Pop Century the old beds weren't so great. The memory foam helped from the bed springs hitting my back. My husband who doesn't have a bad back, didn't like the beds at Pop.

If she thinks a Walking Stick(good ones are at REI) may help her, I get her one. One it gives her something to lean on if she needs it, when she needs it. Also you hope people notice she is using a walking stick and she doesn't get bumped into as much. When people bumped into me all day long, it makes it hard on me. And at WDW, there are a lot of people.

As for the wheel chair, as long as you think you can take pushing her all day, I don't see any problems with that. You could also rent her an ECV from Disney, which is quite expensive. Or you can rent an ECV from an outside company. Which last year for a week it was about $150.00 Im not sure what WDW prices are, but Disneyland price for an ECV for one day is $50.00.

If she has pain while in a wheel chair or any chair, she may be interested in a self inflatable lumbar pillow. I have one and I take it everywhere. I also have a memory foam seat cushion. Both those items can make most chairs comfortable. Im not sure how much pain she will be in. But if she is in a lot for awhile, then I look into these products. Relax the Back Store has wonderful items.

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks for the advice. Pillows are a good idea. WC is not a problem. I'm training for a marathon in September.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #2 of that thread has information and links to off-site companies that rent ECVs and wheelchairs.