Need advice - last-minute problem - long

[travelitis]

My ds who is celebrating his 11th b-day at WDW is in a lot of pain, and the doctor hasn't been able to get it under control. His hips and feet hurt, and he's taking 2 prescriptions, an anti-inflamatory and Tylenol with codiene. It hurts him to sit, and the only comfortable position is on his stomach. He started on the painkiller 9 days ago and has had the anti-inflamatory a week. It's not from an injury, so it's being treated as a virus, but the doc said if he was no better in a week he might be sent to a specialist. I'm taking him back to the doctor tomorrow, but he might not be all better by our trip, which if you look at my counter, is drawing near. I'm trying to figure out how to get him around the parks if he's still sore. We can't cancel this trip as family is flying in from MN and NY to meet us. Here's the logistics of getting us around prior to this problem: I'm in an ECV, dh pushes rented double stroller or our single stroller. DD (4) rides, ds (8) walks - rides some if we have dbl. The oldest who is in pain was going to walk. Randy's Mobility said I could let a kid ride with me on the ECV no problem as we are well under the weight limit. I can see me putting the 4 yr. old or maybe the 8 yr old on me some, but fitting my oldest on there with me could be tricky. I've thought of renting the double stroller and putting a pillow on the seat, but pushing our oldest and youngest is going to wear my dh out. Is there any other alternative? Should I get a doc's note and request a GAC for him so when we have to leave the stroller the CMs believe that he needs someplace to sit while waiting? Is there anything we could rent for him? Wish there were a double ECV - lol. I thought I had everyone well except for me. We'd just gotten his IBS under good enough control that he was going to be able to tour WDW comfortably, too.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have an answer to your problem.
Even though Randy's mobility said you could let a child ride on the ecv with you according to the weight limits of the ecv, it's not really safe from the sandpoint of a child hitting the controls or your arm while you are driving. There is only one seat, so the child would have to sit on your lap. IMHO, that would be difficult with a 4 yr old and impossible with the 8 or 11 yr old.

Should I get a doc's note and request a GAC for him so when we have to leave the stroller the CMs believe that he needs someplace to sit while waiting?

You won't find benches or anything to sit on in most lines. The only places that have benches to sit on are the shows where you enter a large waiting room. There are some benches, but if they are full when you come in, you are out of luck. You might want to see about a GAC for him because of the IBS.
He can't rent an ecv, because he's too young. What some people in a similar situation have done is rent a wheelchair and have 2 children ride in it. It doesn't look that comfortable to me. Since the wheelchairs have sling seats, the heavier child tends to weigh the seat down more and both kids slide toward the middle. Also, the knees of the littler kids don't end up at the end of the seat, so they tend to have to sit with legs straight out ahead of them. The arm rests are also a problem since they don't come at arm height, more like shoulder height for the smaller kids.
You might want to ask Randy's Mobility if they have any ideas.

 

[travelitis]

To be honest, I have put a child on my ECV at times with no problems at all. There were moments I was alone with my 2 yr. old, and riding with her was much safer than her walking beside me. I couldn't do this most of the time but once in awhile.

My dh is thinking we'll have to do a double stroller with pillows. I hate to take pillows they sleep with, so I'm trying to come up with an alternative. If her db has a pillow, my dd will require one.

Not to be obtuse, but why would my ds be able to get a GAC for IBS? When he was in a lot of pain I could see it. The reason I think he would need a GAC with hip and foot pain would be that some pavillions in Epcot require you to leave the strollers outside and walk. When he does Body Wars it would be helpful just like if I wanted to walk some and use the ECV some.

 

[travelitis]

About the GAC - I just read you can get one to allow you to use a stroller as a wheelchair which would be a good idea for my ds. Strollers can't go through all queues and are left outside at Epcot pavillions.

 

[Mazzy]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you, but just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about your son. I really hope you can find a satisfactory solution to your problem, and that your son isn't in pain for too long.

Sending some pixie dust to all the family.

 

[travelitis]

Thanks, Mazzy! My dh has been fighting illness for over a week, so I hope he's able to handle 6 days of stroller pushing. We're in no shape for comando touring for sure. I'm checking into renting a double stroller from an off-site company thinking they might have something more comfortable, and it's definitely cheaper. We go to the doc today at 2:00, so I hope he has more effective pain relief for my ds.

 

[yoopermom]

If meeting family is the whole reason you don't feel able to postpone the trip, would it be possible for one of them to help you out? Is DS really going to be able to enjoy the trip if he is in so much pain? Hugs to you all, and hopes that things get better...
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[AprilsZoo]

I am sorry to hear about your son's pain. We all know how awful it is to be in pain, and when it's your child it's even worse to see them suffering.
First off, I would ask the dr. about some more potent pain meds. Even small kids can take Hydrocodone, or Oxycodone, demorol, or fentenyl. The drawback is that he may be sleepy or spacy from the narcotic effect. But then again, some people find that the pain relief is "energizing." There are also options for nerve-blocks that can relieve joint pain sometimes.
Now, for transporting him around the park, you could try a wagon. It can be checked as luggage in its box. For pillows, you could get some cheap ones at Walmart or wherever like that, and take them with you, or buy them after you get there (there's a Walmart a few miles away, just down the main drag)
Another option is a jogging-type stroller (double wide) -- again checked as luggauge.
Also, you could ask Randy's if they have kid's reclining wheelchairs for rent (sometimes kids use them after hip or spine surgery, or "body-cast" type situations)
Maybe you could attach a Child-carrier like you use on a bike, onto the front of the ECV for the youngest child.

Good Luck,
April

 

[Talking Hands]

I do not think wagons are allowed in the parks. Sorry.

 

[Poohs Wishing Star]

Hi!

I have an idea that might help with your son's hip pain.

In the past, I had suffered from unbearable pain in my back and hips when sitting. I had tried sitting on pillows, a blanket, or towels. While this did cushion the seat that I was sitting on and my bottom, it did nothing to alleviate the pain.

However, I started to use an inflatable donut-shaped cushion (the middle section is cut out) similar to (or possibly the same as) those that are used by people after hemorrhoid surgery. It comes in 2 styles - one is 6 - 8 inches across, transparent, needs to be inflated by blowing into the nozzle, and can easily support a child. The other is approximately 16 inches across, reddish in color, needs to be inflated by blowing into the nozzle, and can support a 250 pound person. Both are made by Rubbermaid or one of its health care subsidiaries. I purchased mine in a local grocery store's health aids section (Jewel_Osco, also known as Albertson's). I have also seen this product at Walgreen's.

I think the reason this cushion works so well is that it does support the hips and rear similar to a pillow, but it also allows the spine and tailbone to find its most comfortable level.

If you decide to try this, and if your son becomes embarrassed or self-conscious about being seen sitting on the cushion, just lightly wrap a towel or small blanket around it. It will still provide necessary support for the hips but allow the tailbone to relax.

I hope that your son will be feeling terrific soon.

 

[Poohnatic]

I used one of those 'donuts' when I broke my tailbone. It works well, much better than just trying to sit down. Mine was supplied by the hospital, but I have seen them in medical supply stores.


Suzanne

 

[travelitis]

Thanks for the responses. The doctor put him on prednisone yesterday and said this could still be caused by a virus. He said the prednisone is about 100 times stronger than the anti-inflamatory he was taking.

Mentioning Walmart reminded me they have a big pillow for under $9 that would be the right size for WDW dbl strollers. I'm checking with www.all-about-kids.com for dbl strollers, too. We also have toddler inflatable swim rings that I've used for hip pain and might work for him because they're small. Thanks for the great ideas.

You know, I do have a collapsible double child carrier for a bike. Can you see me attaching that to the ECV? lol

 

[SueM in MN]

Lisa is right, wagons are not allowed.
One problem I can see with a double stroller is that it might not fit in many of the queues, where a single stroller would not be a problem. There have also been posts lately indicating that WDW is not allowing jogging strollers. Apparently the ones with the wheel that comes far out in the front were causing too much trouble because they don't fit in the storage places and people were getting hit by them. You can request a GAC to allow a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, but I don't know how they handle double strollers with that. I'm also pretty sure that a cart attached to an ecv would not fit in the queues. It would be too long to make turns.
You could email WDW to ask if any of these things would be allowed.
Good luck.

 

[travelitis]

I was absolutely joking about pulling the bike cart with the ECV! This is frustrating trying to figure out a way to get us around the parks. If either my 10 yo or 4 yo have to walk, we'll do well to last 3 hours a day in the parks. If they limit us to a single stroller, my only option is to put the 4yo on my lap. I'll probably end up calling today.

 

[travelitis]

I called, and they said a double stroller with GAC is OK. Now my poor dh who is recovering slowly from the flu shot making him sick gets to do the pushing. However, we are fortunate for the level of physical health and abilities we enjoy. It could be much more difficult.

 

[SueM in MN]

I didn't think you were serious about the bike cart, but you never know if someone else reading it a few mon ths from now might think it is a good idea.
Anyway, sounds like things are working out for you. I won't say "good luck" (don't want to jinx you).