Broken leg. Are we crazy?

[RumpleMom]

As adults, we sometimes have to make difficult decisions. Follow what your doctor says. If you need to postpone have the doctor give you a written note that DH cannot travel, so you can fax it to your airline.
This can be a good lesson for your kids, that a family sticks together and takes care of each other. Your kids are more resilient than you think.

Your DH needs time to heal.

 

[BudgieMama]

My dad broke his elbow on holiday, and it couldn't be put in a pot. He was told if it had been, he couldn't have flown with it. I don't know if that's a restriction only on European airlines, but it's worth finding out if his pot will still be in place whether he is allowed to fly with it at all. My dad was told had the pot been necessary, the hospital would have to split it open (and sign him off as fit to fly) before he could fly home and then he would have to go the hospital on return and get it re-potted.

Just a thought that you might need to check it!

 

[DekrRini]

I believe you said that your husband is a runner and that he cannot run for six months. Does he really want to take the chance of adding another six months to his inability to run? If someone fell over his leg and he reinjured it, that would be a distinct possibility.

He's a tough guy and sounds like he's used to pushing past the pain. He might be able to push past the pain, but might also be pushing back his recovery time. I suspect part of the issue is not wanting to disappoint the kids. I know the kids have been looking forward to the trip, but wouldn't they enjoy it more if their dad was at 100%? Kids are resilient. If the situation is broached in the right way, they'll be happy to postpone the trip. I think you've already gotten a pretty good plan for this already.

Hope everything works out for your family.

 

[Magpie]

You know... early December is a lovely time of year to visit. Lovely decorations, cool temps, low crowds, and it's not even that far away. Your kids would get MVMCP instead of MNSSHP, which maybe isn't quite as good, but it's still fun. Plus, there's the Osborne Lights at HS and Candlelight Processional and Holidays around the World at Epcot, all of which would be accessible to your husband.

Good luck convincing him!

 

[ktlm]

So sorry this happened right before your trip! If you do still go, it is very easy to get an ECV. My MIL's lower leg swelled up to about the size of a watermelon the first day of our trip (and I'm not kidding- I have never seen anything like it) due to a prior shattered ankle. They called Walker Mobility and an ECV was delivered to our resort that day. It saved our trip. On departure day, Walker returned and picked up the ECV. It was very easy. For MIL, it was better to do it offsite because you have to factor in the walks from the park entrance to the transportation and from the transportation drop offs to the resort. Some of those can be quite a ways. Also, if you rely on the park daily, then you want to get there well before rope drop to be near the front of the line, because 1) they do run out and 2) you can waste important morning lower line time in line to get the ECV. Also, having your own is much easier if you are going to park hop, or take any kind of afternoon break.

Honestly, as soon as your trip is, I would try to postpone. I have been to WDW with a friend's child with a broken leg in a boot, and that was absolutely fine-- but it sounds like your DH is not going to be to that point by the time of the trip. With the boot, she was able to ride all the rides, and it really did not slow us down. If your DH still is in the long leg cast that doesn't bend at the knee- I think that will cause problems with flying, rides, and other things.

 

[wallawallakids]

Thank you, everyone! I think you are right. I suspect his number one issue right now is disappointing the kids. I know he feels badly about everything that is going on right now. He fell while we were in VT on our "vacation" before school starts and we didn't get to go to the waterpark as planned, then we missed the first day of school because we were still in VT post op, and the kids had to come back with a friend who took them to school for us, and yesterday was our 15 year anniversary, which I was fine with just caring for him and not going out to celebrate, but I know he feels like he is disappointing me (He isn't). And now if we have to change this then I think he is concerned he has just been letting everyone down. Which of course is silly because we love him and want him to get better first, but I think that is where his head is. Thanks for listening. The Dis is the best.

 

[DekrRini]

My dad broke his elbow on holiday, and it couldn't be put in a pot. He was told if it had been, he couldn't have flown with it. I don't know if that's a restriction only on European airlines, but it's worth finding out if his pot will still be in place whether he is allowed to fly with it at all. My dad was told had the pot been necessary, the hospital would have to split it open (and sign him off as fit to fly) before he could fly home and then he would have to go the hospital on return and get it re-potted.

Just a thought that you might need to check it!

Okay, I just have to ask. Is a pot what we would call a cast here in the States? I'm guessing so, but the first thing that popped in my head was wondering why a doctor would put your dad's broken elbow in a flower pot.

And that's a good point about someone being in a cast while flying. They could be a potential danger for those around them in case of an emergency.

 

[BudgieMama]

Okay, I just have to ask. Is a pot what we would call a cast here in the States? I'm guessing so, but the first thing that popped in my head was wondering why a doctor would put your dad's broken elbow in a flower pot.

And that's a good point about someone being in a cast while flying. They could be a potential danger for those around them in case of an emergency.

Yes, sorry: a pot and a cast are the same thing!! Forgot that might be a British-ism!!

 

[5kidsmommy]

Thank you, everyone! I think you are right. I suspect his number one issue right now is disappointing the kids. I know he feels badly about everything that is going on right now. He fell while we were in VT on our "vacation" before school starts and we didn't get to go to the waterpark as planned, then we missed the first day of school because we were still in VT post op, and the kids had to come back with a friend who took them to school for us, and yesterday was our 15 year anniversary, which I was fine with just caring for him and not going out to celebrate, but I know he feels like he is disappointing me (He isn't). And now if we have to change this then I think he is concerned he has just been letting everyone down. Which of course is silly because we love him and want him to get better first, but I think that is where his head is. Thanks for listening. The Dis is the best.

I already weighed in but I just want to say how sorry I am for you. I know it's hard to disappoint kids but they are pretty darn resilient and I am sure they would rather do Disney with a dad that could fully participate in the fun. And one more note to your husband, please tell him to be patient with his recovery and not to push it. My husband was really impatient and just wanted to move before the doctor allowed it and because of that his recovery took longer than anticipated.

 

[austinsmommie]

A friend of ours was told when their son broke his wrist that he couldn't fly with the cast because of the pressure change, I think, could cause the cast to cut the circulation in his arm off. He had a water proof cast so I don't know if that makes a difference. My daughter broke her tib/fib last year and was in a full leg cast up to her hip for 12 weeks and was in a wheel chair for 15 weeks and then a walker for a few more weeks and then PT for several months. I don't see how he can sit on a plane. We had a difficult time traveling in the truck with her, no one could sit in the front sit because the seat had to be pushed as far forward to get her in the back seat. We had to put a step tool with several pillow to support her leg. It was the longest 12 weeks of my life and she is a tiny 8 year old that weighs 40 pounds. I couldn't image trying to do it with an adult. Just day to day traveling was so much work and after a day of school she was was tired. If you can make the the trip, I think a scooter rental would be better if he can get in one. A wheel chair was exhausting for both her and I at home, I can't image trying to do it at Disney. Good luck and I hope he heals quick.

 

[kitkat4622]

My grandson broke his tibia in July of last year and we had a trip planned for originally October 2014. He was in a thigh cast for 4 weeks, then an above the knee for 4 weeks then a below the knee for 4 more weeks. I know your children will be disappointed but I would get on the phone with Disney and reschedule the whole thing if possible. I cannot imagine your husband trying to fly on an airplane with a thigh high cast and then tour the parks without being seriously uncomfortable and like a previous poster mentioned possibly re-injuring something setting the healing process back any further. thats just my opinion.

 

[rwdavis2]

Depending on his height he may not even be able to fit the leg with the cast within the given leg room of the airline seat. The last time I flew on a 737 (Southwest) I could no longer keep my legs straight out in front of me. I'm 6'1".

I really don't think this trip is going to work with a leg in that bad of shape. CMs will not help him do anything as they are not allowed. So getting in and out of some rides may be hard to impossible. But if you're determined, get an ECV. He's not going to have much stamina to do crutches the entire trip.

Best of luck.

 

[wallawallakids]

Great point about the his height. He is 6 foot. Ok. So reality is setting in and it's not looking good. Thank you everyone for your help. I know MNSSHP tickets are non refundable, right? If I have a doctor fax something does that make a difference? Just thinking if I have to postpone the cost of 6 tickets was quite a bit. Wonder if we are out of luck on that though?

Thank you again for all your help and tips. And for the healing wishing for hubby.

 

[minnie mum]

Great point about the his height. He is 6 foot. Ok. So reality is setting in and it's not looking good. Thank you everyone for your help. I know MNSSHP tickets are non refundable, right? If I have a doctor fax something does that make a difference? Just thinking if I have to postpone the cost of 6 tickets was quite a bit. Wonder if we are out of luck on that though?

Thank you again for all your help and tips. And for the healing wishing for hubby.

Did you buy travel insurance for your trip? It may cover some of your nonrefundable costs. Check the credit card you used to buy your MNSSHP tickets. Some of our credit cards include trip insurance on travel items purchased with the card. Not sure if the tickets would be included in that category, but its worth a shot.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Okay, I just have to ask. Is a pot what we would call a cast here in the States? I'm guessing so, but the first thing that popped in my head was wondering why a doctor would put your dad's broken elbow in a flower pot.

And that's a good point about someone being in a cast while flying. They could be a potential danger for those around them in case of an emergency.

I was going to ask the same thing! It was a confusing post to read as ive never heard of the term 'pot'. But i figured it meant cast.

OP, i'd wait to hear what the Dr has to say. MNSSHP tickets are non-refundable, which is so unfortunate because you do have 6 of them. I know this might sound bad, but is there any way you guys could still go on the trip without dad, maybe a shorter trip? Can anyone take care of DH while youre gone? Not going would mean a loss of almost $500 for the MNSSHP tix correct? That would suck.

A shorter trip wouldn't be a bad idea. If I were the one in a cast, this is what i would suggest to my family. I wouldn't want everyone to stay home because of me, and i wouldnt want to disappoint my kids. You can always plan another (longer) trip next year.

 

[briggscreek]

Great point about the his height. He is 6 foot. Ok. So reality is setting in and it's not looking good. Thank you everyone for your help. I know MNSSHP tickets are non refundable, right? If I have a doctor fax something does that make a difference? Just thinking if I have to postpone the cost of 6 tickets was quite a bit. Wonder if we are out of luck on that though?

Thank you again for all your help and tips. And for the healing wishing for hubby.

I would call and see if they will make an exception and refund for the MNSSHP, I know that it's been done before. I hope he heals quickly and you can take your trip soon!

 

[siskaren]

MNSSHP tickets are non-refundable, which is so unfortunate because you do have 6 of them.

Actually, I've seen posts from people saying that they've gotten refunds on party tickets.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Actually, I've seen posts from people saying that they've gotten refunds on party tickets.

Really? That would be great for the OP then! She can get a refund and postpone the whole trip!

 

[rwdavis2]

A friend of ours was told when their son broke his wrist that he couldn't fly with the cast because of the pressure change,

I forgot about flying post op. After one of my knee surgeries the MD said no flying for 6 weeks as the air that got into the joint will bubble out a lower pressure. Much like "the bends". Ask his doctor.

 

[wallawallakids]

No, we don't have travel insurance. I will call about MNSSHP tickets and just see what they say. And I will ask the doctor for sure about flying. I am working on hubby and trying to get him to agree to move the date so we can all go together when he is feeling better. I am not sure the pain meds right now are helping me to get him to see what I am saying! Lol. Hopefully the doctor can set us both straight on Tuesday and we will have a definite "maybe" or "no". I think he will listen if the doctor explains why he shouldn't risk it. Thanks again for the help.