Dialysis and DVC question

[goofydad99]

A friend of mine is on peritoneal dialysis. She doesn't think that DVC rooms can accommodate her dialysis due to their size. I am wondering if anyone has ever been on peritoneal dialysis and was staying in a DVC room. I talked to goofydad about it and he told me that I should call and ask member services. I thought I should call our guide and ask for the room specifications. When all else fails........come here. Thank you for your help.

 

[RobDoc]

It might be easier to answer if you could share what room specifications would be required for her. Basically, studios will be similar in size to most WDW resort rooms while 1BR (and larger) will have a lot more space. Most likely the square footage is not as important as the usable free space in the villa, but here are some reported room sizes for DVC resorts. A 1BR at OKW would offer the greatest amount of space:

OKW
Studio: 390 sq. ft.
1 BR: 1005 sq. ft.
2 BR: 1410 sq. ft.
GV: 2375 sq. ft.

HH
Studio: 455 sq.ft.
1BR: 856 sq.ft.
2BR: 1311 sq.ft.
GV: 2362 sq.ft.

BWV
Studio: 359 sq. ft.
1 BR: 712 sq. ft.
2 BR: 1071 sq. ft.
GV: 2142 sq. ft.

VB
Studio: 375 sq.ft.
1BR: 880 sq.ft.
2BR: 1265 sq.ft.
GV: 2125 sq.ft.

VWL
Studio: 356 sq.ft.
1BR: 727 sq.ft.
2BR: 1083 sq.ft.
GV: None

BCV
Studio: 356 sq.ft.
1BR: 719 sq.ft.
2BR: 1075 sq.ft.
GV: None

SSR
Studio: 355 sq.ft.
1BR: 714 sq.ft.
2BR: 1070 sq.ft.
GV: 2113 sq.ft.

AKV:
Studio: 316- 355 sq.ft.
1BR: 629-720 sq.ft.
2BR: 945 - 1075 sq.ft.
GV: 2201 sq.ft.

BLT:
Studio: 339 sq.ft.
1BR: 803 sq.ft.
2BR: 1152 sq.ft.
GV: 2044 sq.ft.

 

[disneynutz]

You might want to post your question here also.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[Quilter007]

Traveling w/ someone on peritoneal dialysis is challenging! When we traveled w/ my DFIL, we had to 1) schedule dialysis time first and 2) make sure we had accommodations for it. I would think that DVC would be the best scenario. The fluid has to be warmed up to body temperature. At a normal hotel, you either have to use really hot water from the tub, or have someone take the fluid to the hotel restaurant & use their microwave. (Funny note -- we did this in Nevada -- DH used the time while the restaurant was nuking the fluid to show DMIL how to use the slots! DFIL was not amused!)

Depending on the length of your stay, storage of the fluid bags may be her concern. DFIL used several bags a day -- they are heavy and kinda bulky.

You also might want to think about getting a handicap accessible room -- should have wider doors, bars in tub and/or walk-in shower.

The last trip we took w/ DFIL was extremely difficult for all of us. However, he got to see his first great-granddaughter before he passed away & that made it all worth-while. And, now whenever we drive through Neveda w/ DMIL, she's cleans all the change out of the car for the slots! She says that if she's not using her money, then it isn't gambling.

Katrina

 

[goofydad99]

I thought about putting the specifications there before but I didn't think about it. Her drain tube is 15 feet long. She does her dialysis overnight and the tube drains into the toilet. The toilet has to be within 15 feet of reach from the bed or otherwise she would be stuck sleeping on a chair or other piece of furniture. Does that make sense? I wasn't sure if anyone else had experienced it and I wasn't sure who to ask.

 

[Chellymouse]

I wouldn't recommend a studio because i think a studio is going to be too small for the amount of equipment. While it's quite a few points, you may want to consider a 2BR so that she has her own space. Also, the toilets in anything bigger than a studio are usually more than 15 feet away from the bed. You may want to consider a type of bucket of other container in order to solve that dilemma. I'm an RN and I've had quite a few people on PD over the years and I think it's wonderful that your friend is able to go!! You may also want to call MS to see what is available...you never know! I'm sure they have had others on PD before and may be able to assist you as well!

 

[goofydad99]

Thank you for the information. I don't know that a bucket is something they have considered?

Believe it or not they will be staying at CBR this Summer. Our trips overlap for 3 days so I know that they will have first hand access to our 1 bedroom AKV. Thank you for your information!

 

[nyck]

I thought about putting the specifications there before but I didn't think about it. Her drain tube is 15 feet long. She does her dialysis overnight and the tube drains into the toilet. The toilet has to be within 15 feet of reach from the bed or otherwise she would be stuck sleeping on a chair or other piece of furniture. Does that make sense? I wasn't sure if anyone else had experienced it and I wasn't sure who to ask.

I am a nurse and have done peritoneal on my patient's in the hospital. Are you flying or driving? It would be a pain to bring all the equipment on a plane. Does she use the machine where it has the warmer in it and 1 bag of dialysate sits on the warmer (the machine pulls from this bag 1st) then the 2nd bag hangs? (Actuall she may just use one bag at night, but my hospital patient seem to use 2). If it is the draining she is worried about, all you need to do is get a 1 or 2 bedroom, let her sleep in the master, run the hose through 2 doors that connect the room to the whirlpool tub, and let it drain in there. It is less than 5 feet from the left side of the bed to the whirlpool tub and the window to it has a gap on the bottom. She could use the night stand next to the bed to plug in and set up her machine. It should be wide enough for the machine and the dialysate solution to sit on it. I am not sure about all the dvc master bedrooms, since some may set up different, but the ones at BWV, BCV, and BLT are set up this way. Hope this helps!


I just went to AK 360 degree tour on DVC member.com, but I can not tell if it has a window between the master and bathroom or just a door. Someone who has stayed in a 1 bedroom there will have to answer that question, but it still doesn't look very far from the bed to me.

 

[pilferk]

If it is the draining she is worried about, all you need to do is get a 1 or 2 bedroom, let her sleep in the master, run the hose through 2 doors that connect the room to the whirlpool tub, and let it drain in there. It is less than 5 feet from the left side of the bed to the whirlpool tub and the window to it has a gap on the bottom. She could use the night stand next to the bed to plug in and set up her machine. It should be wide enough for the machine and the dialysate solution to sit on it. I am not sure about all the dvc master bedrooms, since some may set up different, but the ones at BWV, BCV, and BLT are set up this way. Hope this helps!


I just went to AK 360 degree tour on DVC member.com, but I can not tell if it has a window between the master and bathroom or just a door. Someone who has stayed in a 1 bedroom there will have to answer that question, but it still doesn't look very far from the bed to me.

Beat me to it.....I was going to suggest the tub, too. And while there isn't a window between the MB and the tub (there's a hallway seperating the MBR and the bathroom) at AKV, it is STILL less than 15 feet from the side of the bed closest to the door to the tub. I'd peg it right around 12 feet, actually, assuming you can get the tubes under the doors without crimping them (I think you can).

Here's the kicker, though: If you request a handicap room and get the roll in shower.....it might be too far.