please help put my mind at ease?

[DLB]

...so to make a long story short - Last Jan I had surgery on my knee and then all was fine. About a week or so ago my knee started to swell up to the size of a softball and my kneecap is no longer recognizeable.

I went to the dr and I am currently awaiting an MRI (we are snowed in). Once I have the MRI we are almost certain I will need another surgery! We are 37 days away from our trip to WDW. I am so upset and I don't know what to do.

If I have the surgery - Will I be ok to walk by the time of the trip, if I can walk will I be ok to walk the many miles of WDW?

If I don't have the surgery - will I be able to walk. (Right now, I can't stand for long perioids without the swelling coming back) I am also in a lot of pain when I walk/stand for a while.

Anyone else have a similar experience? If so, do you have any advice or thoughts? This has me so worried! I want to kids to still have a blast without dealing with their Mom lagging behind as they are running from ride to ride!

 

[ConniegB]

Hi Danielle,

So sorry to hear about your knee problems, and possible upcoming knee surgery! Not sure about the amount of pressure you'll be able to put on it before and after your surgery, what has your Dr. or PT recommended? Have you considered renting a Wheelchair while at the parks? That could be an option for you. Wishing you the very best with your Knee problem and upcoming Disney trip!

Sincerely,
Connie

 

[krisnme]

I wouldn't stress, either way you can rent a w/c or ECV at the park or from one of the agencys. Just be realistic that you may need to do this, and hope that the knee will be better and you won't have to! You won't be the first to go to the parks with an injury, and your kids will still have a great time! Good luck.

 

[WizardLarz]

If nessesary you can always rent a ECV!

 

[DLB]

Thank you for the postive thoughts. Yes, I have thought that I will need to rent some "vehicle for me". I was just hoping that there is someone out there that had a MAGICAL fix for me!

I did tell my Dr that I would be going to Disney in Feb and he said that we will worry about that later. However I am a planner and I need to KNOW! LOL

I know that there are many others that have had an injury and still enjoyed Disney which is why I was asking. I was hoping someone would share their story. My kids will have fun no matter what as will I - it is DISNEY right?

I am just feeling sorry for myself and need a little positive encouragement and hopefully a little pixie dust to make this problem GO AWAY!!

Other than the fact the ECV's are motorized what is the benefit of them over a wheelchair?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Answer to your last question.

At WDW there are hills, which most people walking do not notice.

Unless you are used to a wheelchair full time you will not be able to push yourself for more than about two hours a day.

Unless the person pushing you is in excellent physical shape and used to pushing a wheelchair that person will be exhausted. Looking at your signature, your husband will have his hands full controlling the kids (and maybe even pushing the 5yo in a stroller).

Using an ECV will give you freedom and independence; not having to worry about relying on someone else.

You can be very useful as you can "run ahead" to get fast-passes or other errands without wearing yourself out. Also, you can be the official carrier of stuff.

And be aware that renting from off-site will both save you money as well as give you an ECV that is much more maneuverable than Disney's, and will be available to you at the Resort.

 

[DLB]

Thank you so much for your help. I was also thinking about the stroller issue. MY DH would have a hard time pushing me and DS.

I guess I will know better once I get the MRI and know if I will be having surgery or not.

Are the ECV's difficult to drive? I mean I can drive a car, but I have heard that they are hard to get used too?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Go to any large supermarket or box store (Target, Walmart, etc. - not sure about Kmart) and practice. The ECV/shopping carts there are generally bigger and bulkier than what you can rent at Walt Disney World, especially off-site.

 

[peemagg]

I agree with Kaytieeldr! Go to Walmart or Target or even your local grocery store, and try them to get the feel for how they work. They aren't as bad as you might imagine. If you can handle the ones in the store, then one of the rental ones will be a breeze.

 

[DLB]

Well, I went to the Dr today to get the results of my MRI. As it turns out I have a stress fracture on my knee. No idea how it happened. The Dr was actually scratching his head at this. So? What does that mean for me? A brace and crutches with LOTS of rest for the next two weeks. He told me that I should NOT work for 2-3 weeks (I am a hairdresser, so standing all day would not be a good thing). IF I am a good girl and stay off my feet as much as possible than hopefully it will be healed by the time disney rolls around.

So, this will give me TONS of time to play on the boards.

Thank you so much for all of your ideas and help. I am hoping to be able to walk the majority of the trip and only use a wheelchair if it starts to swell while we are there. This is not our first trip and certainly not our last, so we will just go a little slower and probably end up having more fun!

-Danielle