Not quite sure what to do

[mmorrison]

Well it all started with a bite, something small, happened at recess on Friday. I didn't think much of it. Woke up Saturday with a fever, nausea, headache and miserable. I went to a local urgent care and they did not know what bite me but gave me some antibiotics. It is the last week of school and I went in today and filled out an incident report. My employer sent me to one of their doctors to be seen. Thank goodness they did because the doctor took one look and sent me to an infectious disease doctor. It was a do not stop, do not pass go, situation. The infectious disease doctor is positive that I have some type of macrobiotic bacterial infection. It could be Lyme disease. I am spending some time time every day this week hooked up to some pretty powerful antibiotics via IV. If you have read this far I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with disABILITIES and Disney!!!

My husband and I are going to Disney on Wednesday June 2nd. I am quite the planner and do not want to cancel the trip... all those wonderful ADRs!!!! We are DVC and if we don't get or see everything we are not going to be disappointed. However, I don't want to be miserable. Has anyone been in this situation? How was your treatment? Did you feel better in a week?

If we go and I have trouble getting around would I be able to rent a wheelchair? Would it be better to rent one off site or just rent one in Disney? Would I be allowed to do this because I am not truly disabled but just not quite able to have the stamina to be able to walk the World Showcase as many times as I would like. Would an ECV be better?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated right now! I just am in shock. Who thought a little bug could do so much damage!!!!

Thank you so much for all your help,

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am so sorry to hear this. My mil had lyme disease some years ago and honestly it was a rough road for her. She was on IV Antibiotics several times, in and out of the hospital, and was just down for the count for quite some time while her body recovered. And that was not like her.

Are they going to be able to confirm that it is or isn't Lyme for sure? I hate to say it but I would start looking at what options you have to reschedule. Your health is more important and Lyme isn't anything to mess around with. Let your body have the time it needs to fight whatever this is.

 

[mmorrison]

I am so sorry to hear this. My mil had lyme disease some years ago and honestly it was a rough road for her. She was on IV Antibiotics several times, in and out of the hospital, and was just down for the count for quite some time while her body recovered. And that was not like her.

Are they going to be able to confirm that it is or isn't Lyme for sure? I hate to say it but I would start looking at what options you have to reschedule. Your health is more important and Lyme isn't anything to mess around with. Let your body have the time it needs to fight whatever this is.

Thank you so much for your honest opinion. This is a "new" disease to me and I just don't know what to do. I am lucky to have such a great doctor though. He is treating me as aggressively as he can. He said if we did a lyme test now it would come back negative because of all the meds that are in my system. If he tells me I shouldn't go then I won't. At this point he thinks I will be well enough just not 100 percent. How is your mom in law now? I hope she is much better!!!

 

[bookwormde]

If it is lyme make sure they are giving you maximum high quality (chelelated sp?) vitamins as part of the terapy since your own immune system in needed in addtion to the antibiodics.
I would wait a few days and talk to you doctor and see how you are doing. IF you are temorarily disable, even though you do not qualify under ADA, WDW affords you the same rights as those who are so it is manageable. Do not underestimate the psycological value of WDW to keeping your spirits up since that is often underappricated in fighting off a desease.

bookwormde

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you go, you may need to consider rental (from an off-site company, see Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs).

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Thank you so much for your honest opinion. This is a "new" disease to me and I just don't know what to do. I am lucky to have such a great doctor though. He is treating me as aggressively as he can. He said if we did a lyme test now it would come back negative because of all the meds that are in my system. If he tells me I shouldn't go then I won't. At this point he thinks I will be well enough just not 100 percent. How is your mom in law now? I hope she is much better!!!

That makes sense about the test. I think there are also a lot of false negatives even without the meds. Definitely go with what your dr. recommends. With any luck they have seen this enough to know what the next few weeks will be like. Just remember that Disney is extremely tiring both physically and mentally, and the heat compounds that. Any travel puts stress on your body, it can be hard to sleep in a strange bed etc so think about if it will be worth it if you are not feeling great. And definitely rent a wc or ECV if you need it.

My mil had it many years ago--I think about 10 or 15, not long after it started becoming big news so hopefully there are much better and quicker treatments now. At the time her Drs had to consult with some Lyme specialist because they had no idea to treat it, and she was in a major metro area, not some small town.

 

[Schmeck]

Of course you can rent a wheelchair if you want to - there are no laws stating who can or cannot rent such things. I could go into a medical supply store and buy a pair of crutches, or a wheelchair, and use them if I want to. Of course there's no benefit for me to use those things, as they slow down the process of getting around for the able-bodied. But there's no law saying I can't use them.

I'd rent one from offsite so you can be sure to get one that fits you, and have it available to use around the resort as well as the parks.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you choose not to rent right away, at least take phone numbers for some of the off-site companies with you. That way, you will be prepared if you do need one.

I was in Public Health when Lyme disease first appeared on the horizon and did a lot of interviews of patients with Lyme. Many recovered completely, but some kept some residual problems. My sister, my niece and my nephew all had Lyme disease. My niece has some residual arthritis in her wrists, but at the time they had it, it was a very new disease.
Here is a link to a good resource about Lyme disease.

You will find out when you see the doctor again how long you will be on IV antibiotics - I would expect at least a few weeks, so your trip might be out for that reason, even if you are feeling better. Or, they may be able for you to receive your antibiotics on an outpatient basis at WDW (but that would be a lot of stuff to have in place before June 3).

 

[mmorrison]

Thank you all so much. For your thoughts. After much consideration and prayer, we are postponing our trip. We are sad but know that Disney will always be there but my health is more important than a vacation.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Thank you all so much. For your thoughts. After much consideration and prayer, we are postponing our trip. We are sad but know that Disney will always be there but my health is more important than a vacation.

I am sorry to hear this. I was hoping you would be able to go, but it is probably the best decision. You wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as you could if you felt icky and with others worried about you. And this will make that next trip that much better. Take it easy and get better, and keep us updated on how you are doing.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

If you are going to rent a wheelchair or ECV go with the outside agency. They will deliver right to your resort. The cost is the same and they are much nicer. Disney transportation is set up for them also so you don't have to worry there. The buses lower down to your level and you just drive right on.