Family trip with adult in midst of chemo?

[kate0305]

I read the Wish Trip thread (which was quite helpful with conceptualizing the trip in my head) and am trying to tweak the information to help me plan a trip the fall.

Here are the highlights- my SIL has metastitic lung cancer, prognosis is not very good-but we are hopeful-someone has to be the 5% that beats it. She starts chemo and a clinical trial on Monday- 2 weeks on, 1 week off the chemo meds. We want to get the whole family together this fall, and thought she might enjoy seeing her younger (7, 5, 4, 3) neices and nephew entranced with the magic that is WDW. Plus, it would be a good memory for the whole family to have and possibly one she can enjoy thinking about if the chemo is bad.

I already had reservations to take my kids in November with my parents, but since the doctors are saying 6-12 months- Nov will be 6 months. . . .so I am looking for some suggestions in moving up the trip and including my DH family.

Anyone have any insight on good/bad times in the fall, ways to make it special for her, etc, etc? I was going to call WDW for assistance, but thought the DIS folks might have some great tips.

I appreciate any info you might have!

 

[SueM in MN]

I hope with you that she is in the 5%. As you said, someone has to be in it.
I'd suggest having her talk with her doctors about the best timing. If she has 2 weeks of chemo and one week off, you are pretty well limited to traveling in the one week off. That may not be the best time in terms of how she feels. Some people get thru chemo just feeling more tired (most people are tired). Some have severe reactions and feel very ill. She will probably have at least somewhat of an idea after she has her first dose.

She would not have to option of taking the medications somewhere else. If it is a clinical trial, the medication (or something about the way they are giving it) is the trial and it may not be available anywhere else besides where she is getting it.

If she gets the OK to go, renting a wheelchair might be best. An ECV gives more independence, but it also takes more 'energy' to drive one because you have to be aware of what's going on around you. So, she may find that the wheelchair actually works out better.

Also, look into TourGuide Mike for planning you schedules.