Sad news...

[mickey12810]

My Dad passed away on Monday May 1 from cancer. We were suppose to go to Disney in July for a grand gathering. We were going to cancel because Mom is battling lung cancer and with Dad in the condition that he was we knew he was not going to make it to July. But yesterday after the funeral we told Mom that this would probably be the best thing for all of us right now. So we are cancelling only one room and my Mom is going to sleep in with us. I just hope we can get decent flights through SW.

Now I do have one question. Mom is on oxygen and her tanks are only good for about 4 hours. Can we get oxygen bottles delivered to the hotel or do we have to bring our own? Also what about a unit for the room as she mainly uses it at night when she is sleeping? And how do they handle this on the plane? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Nancy

 

[taekwondo mom]

Call one of the medical suppy locations in Orlando and they should be able to help.. also whoever set the O2 up for her at home may have a contact in Fl.. just ask ..

For the airline .. let them know and make arrangements also request a wheelchair assistance at the airport to help her..

Have a Great trip..

Sorry about your Dad,,,,

 

[Selket]

I don't know about the oxygen question but I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to hear your sad news.

For the oxygen, she will need to work with her oxygen supplier at home to set things up; things like getting orders, setting up insurance coverage so you get a "seamless" transfer. This should not be an unusual request for the oxygen supplier.
You have to work with the airline regarding oxygen on the plane because not all airlines allow travel with oxygen. If they do, you usually have to arrange it thru the airline, working between them and your supplier (or the supplier they use if it's not yours. Because oxygen is flammable and can be an explosion hazard, the airlines are very serious about oxygen on the plane.
Here's a link to Southwest Airlines page about travel with oxygen.
Their website does say that "Any Customer who requires a constant supply of compressed or liquid medical oxygen cannot travel on Southwest Airlines."
The oxygen supplier should be able to sort out the airline part for you too.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

Nancy, I'm so sorry about your dad. I lost my dad to cancer on dec. 10th. We too had a big family vacation planned for this coming October which we cancelled. We planned another trip (we leave in 8 days!) to keep my mom's spirits up, as well as our own. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[ducklite]

Just want to say sorry about your dad.

Anne

 

[melomouse]

Just wanted to say I am so sorry about your dad - what a loss.. I am glad you are getting to go with Mom and hope everything works out with the oxygen. May the Disney magic shine upon you !!!melomouse

 

[MidgeD79]

Sorry about your dad. My daughter Jessica (26) died April 29 and I have her kids ages 9 & 3. I spent this summers trip money on the funeral. I don't know what we're going to do.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I am so sorry for your loss. We almost lost my dad last summer and things are still shakey but we're taking him to WDW this July. Never knowing what tomorrow holds is not fun.
As far as oxygen and airlines, start calling immediately, my grandfather was not able to arrage oxygen on any airline and ended up having to take amtrak from Texas to Maine (this was last summer when dad was in hospital) Post 9/11 Oxygen is considered an explosive. Before 9/11 there were some that would not take it but some that would. I will cross my fingers for you that the supplier can work with the airline.
On vacation my grandfather had arranged in advance for oxygen to be waiting here for him, very easy and smooth. HIs local supplier helped him arrange with a company here in Maine and it was simple.
I hope it all works out.

 

[ti2xgrr]

I am investigating this too. Will be taking mom to Disney when we renew our wedding vows in September. We will be traveling for the first time next weekend and I was able to arrange oxygen through United Airlines. I used a travel agent and she was invaluable!!! she helped with the investigation and finding out which airlines provide oxygen. Now the bad part, the cost through United Airlines is $100 per leg of the trip so if you have a layover, you have to pay $100 for each segment. There are currently two portable oxygen concentrators that FAA approved for travel. One is called the Airsep, but the cost is prohibitive and at this point, no one is renting them for short term use. Check out Airsep's web site airsep com (i think) the other is Inogeneone.

I just picked up a book called Brreathin' Easy, a guide for travelers with Pulmonary Disabilities (breathineasy com) and on one of the inside pages was an advertisement for an oxygen concentrator (the Inogeneone) rental service. The cost is $395 per week but then you would need to find out of the concentrator would work for you. The web site for rental is oxygentogo com

you need to check and see which airlines allow the concentrators and what their regulations are.

Hope that helps. I am still learning about this so I don't know everything. (Sorry they won't let me put in URLs yet so put together the name and the com for the URL)
Ti@xgrr

 

[SueM in MN]

The AirSep LifeStyle and Inogen One POC are both approved for use by Southwest.
Here is the website for AirSep and for Inogen.
Inogen actually has a webpage that lists the airlines that have approved their device for use. That page is very helpful because there is a link to each airline's page with information about portable oxygen concentrators.
Some oxygen suppliers rent oxygen concentrators too their clients for travel, so I would probably start with the current oxygen supplier.

That book sounds very helpful, but I would be cautious about Travel Agents unless you know that they are very familiar with the things you need help with. We have had good luck with travel agents and bad luck - and we have pretty straightforward needs regarding travel with a wheelchair.

 

[Disneylvr]

I just want to say that I am very sorry about your dad. And I do agree, it does sound like a trip to Disney is what all of you need right now. Good luck!