Cruising in 17 days nephew broke his hip

[ldo]

Make sure to get a note from the Dr. that he is cleared for airline travel and the cruise. Might not even need it, but with obvious injuries (cast, crutches, etc.) airlines and cruises have been known to ask. We got a Dr. note for DD when her arm was in a sling from elbow injury.

 

[kimberlyelayne]

Thanks everyone soo much for all your help. He has a wheelchair now and will bring it. I feel so bad for him but we will try to still make it as fun as we can for him. All your information has been very helpful thanks for taking the time!

 

[bksaffle]

I don't know if this is allowed, but if you are unable to get an HA room, that would help him have easier access to take a shower....you could always ask to allow him to use the Spa/Fitness Room Showers, they are a lot bigger....Not sure if they will allow 17 yr olds in or if they have to be 18. They may make an exception. I guess it would never hurt to ask.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I can't give you information about cruising with a broken hip. Although I broke my hip and five places, have nine pins, two plates, and three screws that holds it together currently. I advise that you ask for extra pillows at night so that he can put it between his legs as his hip muscle will feel like deadweight on his good leg and could be very painful. Of course I don't know the extent of his injury but they did have me on crutches so I was able to use those as well as a wheelchair. I traveled in an RV through Alaska in the California coast for two months. I found bringing both the wheelchair and the crutches as I went on excursions was helpful.
I would think the doctor would want him to be vertical as much as possible, as that was the instructions I had for six weeks.
To ease his pain if he were to sit in a reclining pool chair, perhaps you could bring additional padding. My parents had an egg carton style padding they brought. The hip in the weakened muscles can be very painful on hard surfaces.
If the parents would like to PM me about traveling in his situation I'd be happy to talk about it over the phone.

 

[kimberlyelayne]

Thank you so much Snowwhyt! We haven't thought about a few of your points. This is very helpful information. Yes at the last appointment they gave him churches and said use both wheel chair and churches.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Perhaps you should call and ask for 2-3 firm pillows to help him for placement of his hip especially as he sleeps. You can have that put in your reservations and they'll have it when you arrive in your room

 

[Krissy22222]

One more thing. People on the ship are not very gracious with the elevators.
Try using the forward and aft elevators. The mid ship ones are very busy.
Unfortunately you will need to stand your ground when it's your turn. And say sorry but we've been waiting.
Also. If you go to the shows in the Walt Disney Theater after the show the crowds are crazy. Go outside on deck 4 and walk away from the crowds to midor aft. We do this and we don't even have a wheelchair

Also after the muster drill, it is insane for someone in a wheelchair. Maybe waiting 15 minutes or so before going back to the stateroom. And I hope folks give priority to someone in a wheelchair at the elevators, I know I would.

 

[tobikaye]

Also after the muster drill, it is insane for someone in a wheelchair. Maybe waiting 15 minutes or so before going back to the stateroom. And I hope folks give priority to someone in a wheelchair at the elevators, I know I would.

Sometimes they will release those with mobility devices first. They released my sister (rollator) and my mom early, but my sister would not get on an elevator without my dad and I. Many people were trying to be nice and let them in the flow of the elevator, but that would have been worse for my sister. Once my dad and I got to the side, we all just waited.

OP: I would suggest that you set up a meeting place for after the drill. Then your nephew and the person with him could get on the elevator quicker and out of the way if they release him first.

 

[jmpurdy]

I do believe that if someone is already in an HA cabin, and there is something comparable available, they can move them to another cabin to accommodate someone who truly needs that cabin.

 

[ndavis]

I do discharging planning for people post surgery-so have a few ideas-they most likely will do surgery right away. I'd recommend just purchasing a transport wheelchair, it will be much cheaper and lighter than renting a traditional wheel chair. The only downfall to a transport chair is it is 4 wheels as opposed to two and requires someone to push. I would not recommend renting, even if you are looking at a traditional wheelchair, the cost doesn't ever make sense. The cheapest route to go would be amazon if you buy new. I'd also make sure his surgeon knows he is going out of town and get the full idea of what kind of weight bearing status he has. Good luck!