Going to WDW during chemotherapy....

[llrain]

My sister and brother in law and their two children ( 3+1)
will be heading to Disney on an all expense paid trip courtesy of his company. My sister is about to start Chemo next month and was wondering if she will be too sick to go in Spetember.

Wel..i was wondering also cause my girlfriend and myself are going in October but are willing to go in Sept when they are there
in case they need some "help" with the girls.
So i was just wondering what you all think if she would be able to make it through the trip?
I know chemo has alot of side affects...thats why i am asking...

 

[vicb]

I just wanted to say "welcome" to the Dis boards. I don't have any advice as far as chemo goes but I know there will be some who do. You sound like a caring person... good luck.

 

[Selket]

My mother went through several months of chemo treatments when she had cancer in 1989 and she would be quite sick for a few days afterward. I think it could depend on how the treatments are scheduled and what type of chemo she is getting. It is wonderful that you are willing to reschedule your own trip to help out! I think with kids that young it could not hurt to be there with them just in case...unless they plan to spend most of their time around the resort than the parks. I think she may not know how sick she'll be until she starts.

Best of luck to your family,

 

[twinmomplus2]

There will be good and bad days, My Aunt just went through this.And her Doctor would not recommend A place like Disney, Don't forget Chemo is working to break down the cancer it can also do the same for your immune system, Make sure she clears the trip with her doctor. Good luck!!!!!

 

[Clover9990]

My mom was just taken off chemo yesterday, and has been on it since December of 2001. She was taking Cytoxin orally for an autoimmune disease, and she went to Disney this past December and did fine. I think it really depends on the person, how their body reacts to the poison, and the dosage they are taking. Best wishes!

 

[Aubrey]

There is no universal answer to this. Every case is different but I can say, we did this with my late husband who was on palliative Chemo for a terminal cancer and he wanted one last trip to Disney with our kids. He was able to spend about four hours in the park each day, conserving his energy with a motorized wheelchair we rented there. Then he would retreat to the comfort of our room at the Poly to rest while I toured the kids a bit longer.
We are not wealthy but I think staying at a monorail resort was our single best decision in making this trip work. And if anyone needs to know this, the new longer range FRS radios work nicely from the waterfront rooms of the Poly to MK so we could keep in touch throughout the day.

 

[tricia]

My mom went thru chemo last year and she would not have been able to do a trip at all. It really hit her hard. She was in hospital for at least 10 days every month (in reverse isolation so she did not catch anything) Even on her better days she would not have been able to handle WDW. Maybe with a wheel chair, but I doubt it.

 

[clutter]

Have your sister talk to her doctor. Some chemos are nasty, some aren't. They should be able to give her an idea. Then, if she still wants to go, I think it would be wonderful of you and you girlfriend to go along to help out. What a great brother you are.

 

[llrain]

Thank you all for the information. My sister will be starting the chemo next week and it will last 14 weeks. She is unsure of how she will feel as u have all said...so yes it will just be a waiting game. She was told, however, by her doctor that she will be sicker than most cancer patients because she is so young, only 32, the poor thing. Only 32 and they told her the mdeian age for cancer is 50....So being so young she will feel bad.

Have to wait and see....but thank you all for your thoughts...
and see you at the CBR October 27-Nov6...tentative for now....but booked...!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SM23]

I went through chemo last year for seven months. During that time I went to Disney twice. The first time I had only had one treatment so it really was not to difficult. I went there to loss my hair. I wanted to feel the warmth on my head

The second time I went I was a little weaker but still able to get around pretty well. I had chemo for 3 weeks and then had one week off so I went during that off week. I usually felt okay by the 4th/5th day. I would not have been able to go the last two months of my treatments. It's really hard to say how she will feel because there are different drugs and everyone reacts differently. Have her ask the nurses/Dr. about anything special she should remember. I was told to stay out of the sun as much as possible and don't use drinking fountains. My Dr. encouraged me to go. I took so much medication with me just in case I got sick and never had to use it.

I definently would plan on going and know that you can cancel if need be. Just planning the trips took my mind off of the treatments.

I went again in February to celebrate the end of all my treatments. It was wonderful

 

[Baloo]

llrain WELCOME to the DIS!!!

You're a truly sweet brother wanting to help out your sis if you can.I can't speak from exprience but as you can see there are lots of helpful people here that can.

Your family llrain and to all of you who have been touched by cancer will be in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[Baloo]

SM23 WELCOME to the DIS!!!

I love your story,sounds like you have a DR with a bit of pixie dust in him!

I'm very happy you're here with us!

I'm hoping you're at the DIS planning your next trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

In adddition to all the good advice you have gotten already, follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board. If she goes, she will need info on wheelchairs, electric scooters, and special needs services.

Good luck to your whole family and lots of pixie dust to help you all get thru.

 

[llrain]

Thanks again all for the support..Its much appreciated.


cheers!!

 

[laurabelle]

I'm a 4 yr survivor, diagnosed with breast cancer @ age 36. I was given two drugs then switched to another one, with completely different side effects, every 3 weeks, 6 months total. She can ask her oncology nurse, they usually are very good at giving a realistic idea of what to expect, though everyone reacts differently, there are people who tolerate it very well and people who are unable to function. Something else to consider is her white blood cell counts, if they're too she can't be out in the crowds.

I hope she gets to go, and I think it would be a great idea for you to go with her family to help out. Even if she is doing well, she will tire easily and need to rest more often. But if she has to postpone her plans, WDW is a great place to celebrate the end of treatment!
Praying that all goes well for her.

 

[poohsize]

Please be sure that she speaks to her doctor about her trip. She should ask now, and again closer to the trip. There may be something the doctor can do to adjust for that week (where her counts might nadir - sometimes happens weeks after the chemo). If it's that important to her and they are good, they may be able to adjust something. Also, I agree that taking all the preventative meds for side effects are a great idea. And she should take a copy of her records with her and her doctor's phone, as well as have an idea of where she would go if she got sick there....it's like having the umbrella you never use to ward off the rain!

The Disney people may also be able to send her some special items for comfort. And yes, bring bottled water.

 

[Gabrielle]

Hi llrain,

Best of luck to your sister! I'm a breast cancer survivor - 3 1/2 years out. I can't think of a better place to be than WDW during this trying time.

I hope your sister brings strong anti-nausea medicine with her. The 3rd day from chemo wasn't good for me - but, once I got past that day, I had little nausea. I was fatigued so I hope your sister takes it nice and easy!

Prayers and best wishes to all of you! Enjoy your trip!

-Gabrielle