Dialysis @ Disney.

[disneynutinpa]

Hi everyone. I have a question. A friend of mine is planning a trip to Disney next year and would like to take her mother. Her mother gets dialysis 3 times a week though and we can not find any information whether she can get dialysis at Disney or on a Disney cruise. Can anyone help us out?

 

[mamaminnie]

Your friends mother needs to ask the social worker at her dialysis center, they make all the arrangements for dialysis while you are away.

Not sure about the DCL, but my Dad did dialysis at WDW (many years ago), I believe at a local hospital.

 

[disneyelaine]

That is correct, the social worker at her center will make the dialysis arrangements in Orlando. There are quite a few places within 30 minutes of Disney. My dad used a center on our trip in 2000.

The cruise may be a bit tricky as there are no dialysis centers on board DCL. If you go on a 3 day cruise, she could get dialysis on Thurs am early, get on the boat, then get dialysis back in Orlando on Sunday after departing the ship. We never did this, so I have no first hand experience if that would work ok, but it makes sense to me.

As far as a 7 day cruise, arrangements would have to be made on Port Days to get dialysis....of course in a foreign country, but I believe it can be arranged. I would be scared because what if you missed a port for some reason, bad weather, etc. Also dialysis may not be paid for in foreign countries by certain medical insurances or medicare. It would take alot of researching to make it work, but it probably could be done.

 

[celerystalker]

Ok. I tried to post some information, but the system wouldn't let me post a link. I work for a non profit dialysis company. Make sure your friend's mother has tried PD, if she is able. It's peritoneal dialysis. It can be done at home or while traveling and makes you more self sufficient with very few side effects. No leg cramps, no blood leaving your body, etc.

 

[melomouse]

Hi -

There's a center right in Celebration for dialysis with wonderful supportive staff. You'll need transport to and fro. The home dialysis center is able to handle all paperwork, and in Celebration they are used to handling a vacationing dialysis population.

Cruisers can check out dialysis at sea, which uses DCL ships now, I believe - otherwise, try to use American ports for onland treatment.

DH was on dialysis 6 years, and we travelled all over the place. A bit anxirty-provoking for some, but all part of the vacation planning. Good luck to your friend. Dialysis need not mean limiting the good times!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a past thread that has some links that might be helpful:
Link to past dialysis thread.