Spinal Fusion Surgery and diabetic

[jkbaker]

We have reservations on June 7 at the Contemporary (accessible room). We specifically made reservations at this resort because we invited a family member to join us that has never flown or been to Disney. She has had two prior spinal fusion surgeries and we just found out she is scheduled for the third on April 29. She ask her DR if she would fly and was given the green light if there are not any complications during surgery. Any suggestions to make our visit as easy as possible for her? We plan on visiting each park early and letting her rest in the afternoons. Hopefully go back in at night. I have also rented an ECV for the week. She is also diabetic. Not sure if this will require any special accommodations. I know there is a frig in our room. What about at the airport? Is there any thing that will make the flight easier? We booked South West (non stop). Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[dawnhaze]

For your flight, I believe Southwest does medical preboarding for people who need extra time to board and get seated and situated. If she might have trouble moving down the narrow aisle of the plane, this could be a help, but it's also longer that she'll be sitting in the airplane seats, and that might not be so comfortable. If she'll need a wheelchair in your departure airport or upon arrival at MCO, loaners should be available. When going through TSA, she should mention having medical supplies - medications are exempt from the liquids rule, and needles and syringes are permitted in "reasonable quantities" when accompanied by medications requiring them.

As far as the diabetes goes, if she needs a place to do sugar checks and/or take insulin, there is a First Aid center in each park that will gladly let her use their space. Lots of folks swear by a product called Frio to keep insulin cool in the hot Florida sun, my dad uses one for long car trips and it works quite well.

If she has never used an ECV before, I'd recommend going to a local big box store and using one there to get acquainted with the controls. It's not complicated, and they aren't all the same, but having a basic idea of how it works can make the first day on one at WDW a lot less frustrating and stressful. Also, she may not be comfortable with loading or unloading on the buses or monorail, but CMs will offer a fair amount of guidance. Advise her to keep the speed all the way down and she should get the hang of it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

How does she feel about the idea of traveling so soon after such a major surgery? I truly realize you did not ask this question but I am just asking. A fusion is a BIG deal and I see you say this is her third! Wow! GOD BLESS HER!! I am guessing she recovered very quickly from the other two? I know from my two previous back surgeries (and they wanted me to progress on to a fusion because my latest one was deemed a failure) there is no bending, lifting or twisting for months....and mine was not as invasive as a fusion.
I waited a whole year before I flew post op. For me, it was absolutely AWFUL. I FLEW SW non stop 2hrs, 15min. But just having to stay in that same sitting position was torturous! And sitting for more than 15 min at a time is the worst position for a fusion post op! By the time I got to Florida, I just wanted a bed!! When I got to one, I basically crawled in and stayed there for the next day and a half.
It is her body and only she can decide but has she TRULY thought about this? Fusions are tough to recover from (I have multiple friends who have had them done...they were in AGONY for WEEKS into months.) Disney is taxing on a healthy body. And that is a hotter time of year. This is coming from someone who has a permanently damaged back and leg. Just trying to help.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I had a May surgery on my neck & went to Disney in July last year. It was a pleasant trip, but it did limit some things.

My fusion was cervical, so my neck was just weaning out of a brace.
The terrain at Animal Kingdom was impossible on the ECV, forcing me to leave that park.
The lines at Pirates, Pooh, Little Mermaid would not allow my ECV - only a wheelchair. The sling seat was not good & caused a lot of pain. I had to skip those rides.
The pools were great, the shows were fantastic & I found no limitations there.
The ECV will provide solid seating, which will actually feel good!

My advice is to go on the trip - but to be aware of possible limiting disappointments. You will be glad that the trip brought joy to a person who has been in bed recovering.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[jkbaker]

She has been in pain for months. Took weeks to get an appointment and several more weeks to schedule the surgery. The trip has been planned for over a year. Physical therapy is crucial after the surgery. I have a room only reservation. Flight could also be moved. I do know that we will need to take one day at a time. I know that she really want to see Animal Kingdom….did not think about how difficult it would be to get around with the ECV. I appreciate all your input…really has me thinking….

 

[JillyBean1899]

The biggest hint I have with an ECV is that it has more than one speed. It's not full on or dead stop. If you hold the throttle down a little (just like a gas pedal in a car), you'll go slowly. I can't tell you how many people would almost give themselves whiplash because they'd be trying to move through a small space and be constantly throttle full/let go/throttle full/let go over and over again. I dreaded having to stand in font of those people to direct them where they needed to park. Even worse is when their son/daughter would "help" by standing next to them and "driving" it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

That's a good point.... I never thought about it being a cervical fusion. I have never known anyone who has had one of those. I was referring to a lumbar fusion.
And my back surgery was lower lumbar.
Honestly even some of the surfaces in any of the parks can be problematic on an ECV...such as that cobblestone path leading into Haunted Mansion.
BUT I AGREE! Overall, Animal Kingdom has the worst surfaces for riding an ECV.

 

[I Love Pluto]

That cobblestone path into HM is a huge issue!

 

[SueM in MN]

She has been in pain for months. Took weeks to get an appointment and several more weeks to schedule the surgery. The trip has been planned for over a year. Physical therapy is crucial after the surgery. I have a room only reservation. Flight could also be moved. I do know that we will need to take one day at a time. I know that she really want to see Animal Kingdom….did not think about how difficult it would be to get around with the ECV. I appreciate all your input…really has me thinking….

AK is difficult for 2 reasons:
1) the pathways are narrow
2) the pathways are themed to simulate things like dirt pathways, so most are bumpy and/or uneven.

You will run into areas at each park where the path is bumpy - for example, there are areas of smooth pathway in Epcot that will have a 4-6 foot patch of brick or cobblestone used decoratively or to separate areas. Going over those is very bumpy.

The biggest hint I have with an ECV is that it has more than one speed. It's not full on or dead stop. If you hold the throttle down a little (just like a gas pedal in a car), you'll go slowly. I can't tell you how many people would almost give themselves whiplash because they'd be trying to move through a small space and be constantly throttle full/let go/throttle full/let go over and over again. I dreaded having to stand in font of those people to direct them where they needed to park. Even worse is when their son/daughter would "help" by standing next to them and "driving" it.

Besides not holding the throttle down as far, all ECVs have a speed control that limits the top speed in that setting. It's usually TURTLE for slow and RABBIT for fast. You want to be in TURTLE for situations like in line, getting on the bus or places where things are moving slowly. The top speed on TURTLE will be slower or about the same as the lowest RABBIT speed.

If she is on any pain medications or is in pain, her alertness and reaction time may suffer, which can make it dangerous to drive an ECV. People constantly dart out in front of you, so you need to be alert to avoid them. This can be very tiring, so she may be tired soon than she thinks she will.

When choosing an ECV, the larger 4 wheel versions are more stable and have more space for changing foot positions. The ability to change foot position can help to be able to change the back position.

 

[jkbaker]

Thank you for the tips. I was able to add another day to our reservation. I think 1 extra day will definitely help. We plan on visiting a park first thing in the morning and enjoying dinner in a park. That will allow time to rest during the afternoon and also during the hottest part of the day.

I do have another question regarding fast pass. My husband does not ride space mountain or thunder mountain (motion sickness). I normally do not ride them either. Our two daughters love both of them. Can we give them our fast pass so they can ride them two times?

 

[lanejudy]

... I do have another question regarding fast pass. My husband does not ride space mountain or thunder mountain (motion sickness). I normally do not ride them either. Our two daughters love both of them. Can we give them our fast pass so they can ride them two times?

Last I heard, WDW wasn't restricting anyone from sharing MBs for the purpose of sharing FP+ rides. So assuming that doesn't change, you and your husband should be able to give your bands to your girls so they can ride again. Presumably both girls are at least 7 yrs old, or one is at least 14. When they tap the MBs in line, they may get called by your names instead of their own, but as long as they can tolerate that they're fine.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[aaarcher86]

Last I heard, WDW wasn't restricting anyone from sharing MBs for the purpose of sharing FP+ rides. So assuming that doesn't change, you and your husband should be able to give your bands to your girls so they can ride again. Presumably both girls are at least 7 yrs old, or one is at least 14. When they tap the MBs in line, they may get called by your names instead of their own, but as long as they can tolerate that they're fine. Enjoy your vacation!

This was posted on my FB group when I thought the same thing. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/bands-cards/transferring-to-friend/ which essentially says no sharing of MBs. I don't really know if that is meant to include people in your own group or not.

 

[lanejudy]

This was posted on my FB group when I thought the same thing. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/bands-cards/transferring-to-friend/ which essentially says no sharing of MBs. I don't really know if that is meant to include people in your own group or not.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to look into it, don't mean to share misinformation!

 

[ttintagel]

If she has Type 1 diabetes, I have advice to give, but probably not if she has Tyoe 2. Do you know which condition she has?

 

[chickadee18]

I don't mean to try to change the subject of this post, but I am interested to see what advice you have to give ttintagel.

We are planning a trip for 2017 but my oldest daughter is a type 1 diabetic and we want to be able to go to the parks without worrying about not being able to have her supplies on hand.

Thanks!

 

[JillyBean1899]

I don't mean to try to change the subject of this post, but I am interested to see what advice you have to give ttintagel.

We are planning a trip for 2017 but my oldest daughter is a type 1 diabetic and we want to be able to go to the parks without worrying about not being able to have her supplies on hand.

Thanks!

If your trip isn't for 3 years, any advice that is given now probably won't be terribly valid when you go.