Broken leg. Are we crazy?

[wallawallakids]

Hello! We have a trip planned Oct 6-11th to WDW and we were super excited but my husband ended up falling over the weekend and having a very bad open fracture of his Tib/Fib which required emergency surgery and the installation of plates/screws into the broken bones. Thankfully, the surgery went well, and although he is currently immobile and laid up on the couch for two weeks, he will eventually heal. He thinks he will be fine to still go to WDW in 3 weeks, but I am a little bit nervous. I am hoping that he will be able to get up and move around more in a few weeks, but right now things are rough to say the least. I guess I have a few questions and I was hoping someone might be able to help with that.

1) I very highly doubt he will be able to make it around the parks on crutches. He is currently in a long leg cast up to his thigh. Is there a spot to get a wheelchair at the parks? Or should I consider renting one? Can they deliver one to the resort? Or is trying to get on and off the buses with a wheelchair going to make it that much harder for him?

2) We are staying at AOA. Should I call and ask for a handicap room? Do they even have those? My DD has her heart set on Nemo, so if we need to switch resorts she will be devastated. Also, I know they are really booked up our week, which may mean that it isn't even an option. Obviously, showering is an issue right now as well as basic movement. We haven't even been able to venture off the couch, so knowing what things will be like in 3 weeks makes it all that much harder.

3) I am thinking most, if not all, rides are out. Are we just setting ourselves up for failure here? The kids know about this trip, so not really sure canceling is an option, but I also don't want my husband to be in pain and miserable the entire trip.

Anyone done this before?? Anyone ever had a tib/fib open fracture and know if three weeks will make a huge difference in mobility/healing? (I am hoping!) We see the doctor again next week and I plan on asking his opinion of this as well.

Lastly, he was supposed to run in the WDW marathon this January. Obviously, that isn't happening now. He was told he can't run for at least 6 months and that he will be in a cast for 12 weeks. Does Disney ever refund prices on the marathon? Also I bought an AP for him and I that I haven't used yet. If January is canceled, I don't need an AP. (I bought it because I thought we were going twice!) Do they ever let you downgrade a ticket to just a park hopper that I can use in October only?

Sorry for all the questions. This is something I have never been through before and it is all just settling in after a very long, and stressful, weekend. (My husband did this while on a mountain, which required a 3 hour extraction after they found him. He apparently likes me to go gray. ) Thank you so much for your help!

 

[alliecat523]

I hate to say it but this could be a bit dicey. IF he's immobile for 2 weeks and you're going to try to get to Disney during week 3? That sounds like it's pushing it. If you're set on it, I would call and ask for a handicap room. You can also get a wheelchair where the leg is extended.

Are you flying or driving? Is he going to be able to be on a plane or in a car for the drive?

Is there any chance you could go with the kids and he stays home to rest?

 

[wallawallakids]

I hate to say it but this could be a bit dicey. IF he's immobile for 2 weeks and you're going to try to get to Disney during week 3? That sounds like it's pushing it. If you're set on it, I would call and ask for a handicap room. You can also get a wheelchair where the leg is extended.

Are you flying or driving? Is he going to be able to be on a plane or in a car for the drive?

Is there any chance you could go with the kids and he stays home to rest?

This is exactly how I am feeling. Ugh. We would be flying. I think he is afraid of disappointing the kids. They have been looking forward to going for several months and also this is our one "family vacation" this year, so leaving him home would really make him upset. I know he doesn't want to miss out and I also know the kids would be sad to not have him.

I need to talk to the doctor about flying. That was one of my major concerns. My husband thinks he can handle anything...and he has been a trooper and he is tough, but I am trying to be more realistic and balance his "I can do anything" approach. (I love that about him! )

Thank you for your help.

Maybe I should call my travel agent then. (She is with Dreams) and ask her opinion too. Thanks again.

 

[Ariel8676]

First of all I hope he is feeling better soon and heals quickly, I don't have any experience with a break that bad but have had small breaks and fractures (myself and my children)
I would rent a scooter (or a manual wheelchair if you want to push) from an outside rental place, it will be less expensive then renting from Disney and you will have it at the resort as well. We used Walker mobility a few weeks ago, my daughter (9) broke her foot/ankle a week before our trip.. http://www.walkermobility.com/ they were great and very nice and delivered the wheelchair to our resort.
She was able to go on all the rides..but she just had a boot that went half way up her leg.
I'm not really familiar with AOA so i can't comment on the rooms, but you can ask for a preferred room (if Nemo isn't) that way you can make sure you are closer to the front i guess.

 

[Accident]

I would talk with your doctor and look at an ecv rental if it seems ok.

 

[wallawallakids]

First of all I hope he is feeling better soon and heals quickly, I don't have any experience with a break that bad but have had small breaks and fractures (myself and my children)
I would rent a scooter (or a manual wheelchair if you want to push) from an outside rental place, it will be less expensive then renting from Disney and you will have it at the resort as well. We used Walker mobility a few weeks ago, my daughter (9) broke her foot/ankle a week before our trip.. http://www.walkermobility.com/ they were great and very nice and delivered the wheelchair to our resort.
She was able to go on all the rides..but she just had a boot that went half way up her leg.
I'm not really familiar with AOA so i can't comment on the rooms, but you can ask for a preferred room (if Nemo isn't) that way you can make sure you are closer to the front i guess.

Thank you so much for the well wishes for him. I appreciate that. And thanks for the link! I will check that out. It is helpful to know that renting from Disney is more expensive and considering I don't see a way around a wheelchair if we go, it makes sense to rent one privately. Thank you again.

 

[Ariel8676]

I just read that you are flying, if he is ok to go i would ,ake sure he has a seat with as much leg room as possible and have someone at the airport push him to the gate at your airport
and pick him up in MCO airport at the gate

 

[5kidsmommy]

I can only go by my husband's experience with a broken foot last year. It was supposedly a fairly minor break but he couldn't put any weight on it for 2 months. It was a lot tougher than we anticipated. You can still do the trip but definitely get a ECV and go with an outside company because you will want that baby with you all the time, pushing a wheelchair would be tough on you all day. It will certainly be a different experience. Is your husband willing to just sit around? Will he be okay spending the money when he won't be able to go on too many rides? We did an amusement park day last year when my husband broke his foot, we actually had a lot of fun but we mostly sat and chatted while the kids rode rides.

 

[KorbensMomma]

If you decide to still go I would rent him a scooter. We have rented on site ($50?) and off site, it just depends if he can get to the front of the park. We rented a friend one from Walker scooters since she was less mobile. Some rides they have cars the scooter can go on, I think. If he can transition to the ride vehicle then there are lots he can ride I think. They can even stop the whole ride for him to get on if need be. That's why your doom buggy stops sometimes, it's when they are loading someone less mobile.
Surprisingly the people mover was a no go for us, they can't slow the belt on it so she couldn't get on, sucks it is one of my favorites.
I think there will still be a lot of things he can do, just rent a scooter and take it nice and slow.

 

[Accident]

Dont get from disney, its more and limited to inside the parks only. First come first serve also.

 

[wallawallakids]

I just read that you are flying, if he is ok to go i would ,ake sure he has a seat with as much leg room as possible and have someone at the airport push him to the gate at your airport
and pick him up in MCO airport at the gate

This is a great idea. Thank you. I will call Delta now and check on more leg room and help at the airport. I will have the 4 kids to wrangle alone, so some help with him might be very welcome. Thank you!

 

[wallawallakids]

Dont get from disney, its more and limited to inside the parks only. First come first serve also.

Thank you. I didn't even think about the fact they might run out of them. Great point.

 

[Accident]

Thank you. I didn't even think about the fact they might run out of them. Great point.

Your probably going to need it for to/from bus and at the resort. They have free wheelchairs for that but youll have to find them. Third party rental is going to be ideal for you.

 

[buzznina]

Hope he has a quick recovery Now the sad news My DW had an open tib/fib fracture and had a titanium rod inserted into her leg so the bone could heal strong. I can tell you first hand, your DH will not have any fun. Plus; with all the people and moving around, the chances goes up, a lot, of the possibility to damage or re-injure his leg. Have you called the airline? Because with him not being able to bend his leg and he cannot keep it in the aisle, there are not many seat options for him. I do not think you can use a scooter because he cannot bend his leg, and with a wheel chair his leg will be sticking straight out and another very good chance of getting accidentally bumped into "many" times in the parks. For us, we would postpone the trip, so that all of us could enjoy it. If you decide to go, I wish you the best of luck and hope it all works out.

 

[cmarsh31]

(Basing all of this on my FIL's fall off of a roof last fall & nephew's femur break the following month - so not the same bones but two very immobilized people) - did the doctor say that the full cast would be gone and he'd be able to bend his knee in two weeks? Have you been given an expectation as to what type of cast he'll be in for week 3? I think before you call Delta or make arrangements for the room or ECV, you need to figure out how mobile the doctor can even predict he will be be and if he'll be able to even sit on an airplane. Good luck and I hope his recovery goes smoothly!

 

[subtchr]

That is an extremely serious injury, that will require a long recovery time.

Of course you should base your decision on what the doctor says, but I would prepare yourself for postponing the trip, either on doctor's orders or your own decision that the trip could be miserable for your husband.

Would the kids be disappointed? Of course! Would they learn some lessons about making choices that are best for everyone in the family, and delayed gratification? Very likely.

Please keep us updated. I hope I'm wrong and he will be well enough in a few weeks. No matter what, I hope your family has a wonderful trip whenever it happens!

 

[wallawallakids]

I hate to say it but this could be a bit dicey. IF he's immobile for 2 weeks and you're going to try to get to Disney during week 3? That sounds like it's pushing it. If you're set on it, I would call and ask for a handicap room. You can also get a wheelchair where the leg is extended.

Are you flying or driving? Is he going to be able to be on a plane or in a car for the drive?

Is there any chance you could go with the kids and he stays home to rest?

(Basing all of this on my FIL's fall off of a roof last fall & nephew's femur break the following month - so not the same bones but two very immobilized people) - did the doctor say that the full cast would be gone and he'd be able to bend his knee in two weeks? Have you been given an expectation as to what type of cast he'll be in for week 3? I think before you call Delta or make arrangements for the room or ECV, you need to figure out how mobile the doctor can even predict he will be be and if he'll be able to even sit on an airplane. Good luck and I hope his recovery goes smoothly!

Thank you. This gives me a lot to think about. I guess I better get into the doctor and get his opinion. We go next Tuesday. Then have a serious chat with him about it. My heart breaks thinking of telling the kids we are not going esp since they were so excited to go to MNSSHP. But you all may be right that we are asking for problems once we are there. It is just going to make me so sad if we have to cancel. You are right however. I will talk to the doctor frankly on Tuesday. Thanks again.

 

[wallawallakids]

That is an extremely serious injury, that will require a long recovery time.

Of course you should base your decision on what the doctor says, but I would prepare yourself for postponing the trip, either on doctor's orders or your own decision that the trip could be miserable for your husband.

Would the kids be disappointed? Of course! Would they learn some lessons about making choices that are best for everyone in the family, and delayed gratification? Very likely.

Please keep us updated. I hope I'm wrong and he will be well enough in a few weeks. No matter what, I hope your family has a wonderful trip whenever it happens!

Thank you. I appreciate that.

 

[DekrRini]

I'm an x-ray tech so I've seen lots of compound fractures over the years so I have a good idea about how serious the injury is. I've been working the last few years in an offsite clinic so treatments may have changed during that time so take that into consideration as well.

I want to make sure I have the information correct. The planned trip to WDW is three weeks after the initial injury and surgery. He is in a long leg cast which does not bend at the knee. He is currently immobile for two weeks as part of the doctor's post surgery orders. You plan on flying to WDW.

Flying with a long leg cast would seem virtually impossible to me. With his leg stretched straight out, he won't be able to sit in a seat. I doubt even bulkhead seating will give him enough room. This is something you would need to clear with the airline. If the doctor gives him a cast below the knee next week, flying shouldn't be a problem.

The long leg cast will also cause issues in the park I'd think. Maneuvering through crowds with a leg sticking out wouldn't be something I'd want to attempt. I can't think of anything more painful than constantly getting jostled by the crowds. Other than the initial injury, of course.

The only one who can truly answer the question on whether or not a trip to WDW at this time is a viable option is the doctor. My gut says he won't advise it, but probably won't say your husband absolutely cannot go.

For what it's worth, if it were me, I wouldn't take the risk of a trip like this only three weeks after having had surgery for a compound fracture of my lower leg. There are just too many things that could go wrong and lengthen the healing process. But I'm also a wimp and can't stand pain so the mere thought of someone stumbling into my leg would keep me out of the parks.

I hope your husband has a speedy recovery and if your family does decide to take this trip, you have a magical time.

 

[wallawallakids]

I'm an x-ray tech so I've seen lots of compound fractures over the years so I have a good idea about how serious the injury is. I've been working the last few years in an offsite clinic so treatments may have changed during that time so take that into consideration as well.

I want to make sure I have the information correct. The planned trip to WDW is three weeks after the initial injury and surgery. He is in a long leg cast which does not bend at the knee. He is currently immobile for two weeks as part of the doctor's post surgery orders. You plan on flying to WDW.

Flying with a long leg cast would seem virtually impossible to me. With his leg stretched straight out, he won't be able to sit in a seat. I doubt even bulkhead seating will give him enough room. This is something you would need to clear with the airline. If the doctor gives him a cast below the knee next week, flying shouldn't be a problem.

The long leg cast will also cause issues in the park I'd think. Maneuvering through crowds with a leg sticking out wouldn't be something I'd want to attempt. I can't think of anything more painful than constantly getting jostled by the crowds. Other than the initial injury, of course.

The only one who can truly answer the question on whether or not a trip to WDW at this time is a viable option is the doctor. My gut says he won't advise it, but probably won't say your husband absolutely cannot go.

For what it's worth, if it were me, I wouldn't take the risk of a trip like this only three weeks after having had surgery for a compound fracture of my lower leg. There are just too many things that could go wrong and lengthen the healing process. But I'm also a wimp and can't stand pain so the mere thought of someone stumbling into my leg would keep me out of the parks.

I hope your husband has a speedy recovery and if your family does decide to take this trip, you have a magical time.

Thank you. I think you are right and I am leaning towards postponing. Now I just need to convince him. I hope the Doctor will give him a clear answer, otherwise, I think my husband will try to go and then might regret it while we are there. I think I can come up with a way to make it so the kids wouldn't be so upset especially if I told them they could pick when we change it to and maybe add something else special to it. I tried to mention postponing to him again after reading some of the responses and he keeps saying he will be fine. So I probably need to get the doctor on my side to really talk to him about the risks involved in going. Thank you again.