Last Minute Question - Best/Fastest/Nearest ER to WDW

[D-ko]

Hello everyone!

I am hours away from leaving for Walt Disney World and I have a last minute question due to an existing condition so I should be prepared!

I should have been having surgery this week for a very large ovarian cyst and it was postponed due to stupid insurance stuff. I was ready to reschedule our trip but that's how things worked out. I have rented an ECV but my husband will be the primary user.

I am a petite person and I've got really large cyst and about 10 kidney stones on the same side. I was walking around yesterday and I realized how much walking aggravates it. My doctor has me on very strong pain meds (Morphine) but even with that, physical excercise really sets it off and it and brings me to my knees - literally.

It's too late to cancel and I'll take my painkillers and enjoy my time anyway. I'ts not life or death.

In case it gets unbearable (which has happened twice now - kidney stones DON'T help), can anyone recommend/tell me what the most reasonably fast/decent/nearest ER is to Walt Disney World? We'll be staying on property and I hope it doesn't come to that.

We ran a few errands yesterday and I realized the potential hassle this could become after the simple external exam from the doctor yesterday left me squirming for hours.

I know there are several but I'd like recommendations for places that are humane, at least clean and fast. (I recently ended up in the ER and there were blood splatters on the wall and I can't seem to get that out of my head).

I am super excited either way but I just want to be prepared.

My guess would be in Celebration somewhere? No?

Thank you everyone! <3

 

[ttintagel]

When I broke my foot at WDW the paramedics took me to the ER at Celebrations Hospital. I was happy with the treatment. It was crowded, but my injury was relatively minor and I'm sure if it was more urgent they'd have gotten me in quicker.

 

[D-ko]

Thank you! I figured Celebration would be the best bet - thank you!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The closest is Florida Hospital Celebration.

The best is Orlando Regional Medical Center which is a Class I Trauma Center.

 

[rewardsinlife]

Just had surgery for my stage 4 endometriosis and the large cysts..and boy do I know your pain!

With this said...be careful On rides. You don't want to rupture that cyst or you will be in a world of hurt and you will need to go to ER. Stay up on your meds..try using an ice pack at first aid if you start to have pain and rest. Watch those lap bars and sudden stops.

Have a good trip!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

The closest is Florida Hospital Celebration.

The best is Orlando Regional Medical Center which is a Class I Trauma Center.

Dito.

I've been doing my homework ever since my first trip back in '07. Obviously experiences can and do vary depending on stuff like time of year, type of complaint/issue, medical history etc. but for me I found the amount of not that positive accounts noticable enough with regards to FHC.

Where possible, I've always used facilities that offer "house calls". Have ended up needing to go down that route on more than one trip. When it is clear enough it is only the kidney stones acting up, that could be an option to consider.

Last fall ended up in ORMC (in this case Dr. Philips location). Was the only option on my list for my health issues anyway, but also the go-to in the situation I was in at that moment with having a stroke. Can't say enough good things about them. Not only great care, but I won a huge jackpot by finding the critical care specialist on call had made a hobby out of being an encyclopedia on rare syndromes and diseases. Running into any doc that knows anything about my syndrome is rare already, but this specialist knew so much stuff, it is mindboggling. He was of huge importance in that first hour of care to give me the ultimate care possible. Norm is that no specialist will know all high risk and life threatening stuff to look for with me, knowing one or two is rare, but because of having this specialist on my case each and all were acutely taken hugely serious and looked into. Knowledge about the syndrome is rare, but running into health professionals that are open to the fact that they have little knowledge about it and be open to learning is like well...... about as rare as sleeping in Cindy's castle.

Have to say, across the board, all specialists, RN's, therapists and what not more involved were gems. Very willing to learn and would either ask me and go running with info I gave them and/or read up on stuff asap. Normally I run into a myriad of problems but not during this stay. As soon as something would come up, it would get discussed and somehow dealt with, which can take a lot of medical creativity.

I owe them (and paramedics and Disney cm's very fast and proper acting) not only my life, but they had a big deal to do in getting me through without serious damage. It was outstanding medical care, which has been reconfirmed by many specialists (incl. trauma level 1) since. But also on the interaction and communication I've had nothing but a very positive experience. Very patient focussed instead of just healthcare focussed trying to fit you into their mold. I ended up in their ER and ICU during a solotrip. Could've easily been a very scary lonely experience with family back home at the other side of the world. Nothing of the kind thanks to everybody stepping up the TLC, combined with how Disney handled this, it was an experience I almost look back on with "fond" memories when purely and solely for that part.

Had to go back to the ER after discharge for medical clearance for my flight home and again nothing but positive experience and fast again.

Don't know about FHC, but for ORMC you can see the current waittimes at their different ER locations on their website. With free wifi, it could pay off to make a quick surf to their website so you know what you are getting into. Link is right there on the homepage which will give you a pop up with all 4 different ER waittimes in one overview. So easy to bookmark and get current info with one click on that one link. Might be worth it to see if other options you've got on your list also offer such tools, so if you do need it you can compare and when no real preference for an option avoid those that have very long waittimes on.



And to prevent to actually end up needing to use this hospital info; have you taken care of that walking yet? If walking worsens things so obviously, do yourself a huge favor and do not be stubborn wanting to walk. Get yourself a mobility aid like a wheelchair or ECV (depending on what fits you and your party best). You can do enough walking in your room and what not. Safe yourself the walking for when you HAVE to walk and don't walk any more than that. You much rather end the day finding you have ability left to walk to grab your late night resort snack after having used a mobility aid and having a ball during the day, than stubbornly insisting on walking and be in too much pain by the time it is noon.

The physical at the docs; try to extract WHAT hurt you so much. This info can help you prevent pain during the trip by avoiding rides that mimic. For instance; pressure in your lower belly -> more pain. You can easily avoid rides knowing this that have a belt or bar that would push on your lower belly. Extend this to all you do and don't do know. What increases pain and what decreases it? The more you know, the better you can translate that to situations you can run into on rides, shows, name it and take your precautions to prevent pain increase or reduce your pain.

With regards to reducing the pain; it's always trial and error as it is personal what works for whom, but try how stuff like warmth (heating pad for instance), cold (ice pack for instance), posture, bathing etc. influence your pain. They can be great pain reducers and can easily be used while at Disney. Posture can be how you are sitting, but also walking, standing and even how you sleep or rest. For instance, I've soon enough learned how I could manipulate pain awareness fully away for my kidney stones by a combination of posture, alternating temperature on certain points on my body and using certain brain techniques.

Oh and make sure you drink plenty! Easy to drink a bit too little in Florida in those warm days, but you will want to make sure you not only dehydrate but keep your kidneys and bladder flushing enough. Good enough excuse for an extra dole whip, an extra frozen drink. If you need one.