Suggestions for chemo-induced fatigue?

[elleavon]

I am 44 and otherwise quite able-bodied, currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and I'm just beat all the time. I'm about halfway done. My last infusion will be February 9th, and we have a WDW trip planned for February 25th, after which I'll have surgery.
I know I won't be my robust, commando self, but at this point, we are still going. We will celebrate and relax, and escape the gray Oregon winter.
I just wonder how others have managed to enjoy the parks at a slower pace, and with fewer miles walked.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I am 44 and otherwise quite able-bodied, currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and I'm just beat all the time. I'm about halfway done. My last infusion will be February 9th, and we have a WDW trip planned for February 25th, after which I'll have surgery. I know I won't be my robust, commando self, but at this point, we are still going. We will celebrate and relax, and escape the gray Oregon winter. I just wonder how others have managed to enjoy the parks at a slower pace, and with fewer miles walked. Thanks in advance for your help.

Good luck with your remaining treatments. I am now 2 years out from my last chemo for breast cancer (year long chemo & 35 radiation treatments). I actually opted to wait one year before going to the parks - one reason as I was still working 30 hours a week during treatments & knew that my immune system was really run down even with the weekly booster shots. The other reason is I can't seem to slow down I just want to be on the go all the time. I was 57 when diagnosed. My doctor did tell me that I would feel great for about 2 days after the big chemo but when my body said it had had enough I would literally just crash in bed & veg out. I did make one overnight trip during the Christmas season right after my 6th big treatment but we only did DTD.

Your body will tell you what you can & can't do. I would maybe consult your doctor since you will be so far from home in case you have any issues come up & see what local doctor you might be able to see if necessary.

Many prayers & positive thoughts for you. My goal all during chemo was my big family trip to WDW for Food & Wine and even though I drove everyone nuts we made it happen.

 

[LATJLP]

You might want to consider getting an ECV....it will save a lot of walking.

For me it was "long" distance walking.....to and from the car, into the hospital, those were all fine....but heavens, walking up and down a few aisles at the grocery store and it was like a switch went off....one minute I was plugging along and the next wham...I needed to lay down now. So after that happened a couple times I started using the electronic shopping cart and it was much better.

I can't imainge going to WDW so soon after treatment, so kudos to you for that! I hope you have a wonderful time and can put the treatments out of your mind for a while.

 

[lizard1]

I think it all starts out with your mind set. Go into the trip not expecting to get everything done. Make a plan of a few things you would like to do every day and be happy when you get those done....think of anything else as a bonus.

When we go, we find that the best plan that works for us is to eat breakfast (usually in the room) before we get to the park. Then when we get there, we try to do a couple of rides/shows. After that, we have a middle-of-the-day TS lunch (usually sometime between 1 and 3) and take our time there....it gives us time to relax in a controlled temperature environment and rejuvinate for a little more touring. Usually after lunch is when we have our FP scheduled, because it is a little busier then (plus gives the flexibility to sleep in and not show up at the park until our lunch ressie if we choose). After the FP, we may choose to leave the park or do a few more things (if it isn't too busy).

We have found that touring like this doesn't put stress on us because we don't feel like we are missing out on anything and it gives us the flexibility to rest as much as we need so that we can actually enjoy our vacation.

 

[PSUTraveler]

I am 44 and otherwise quite able-bodied, currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and I'm just beat all the time. I'm about halfway done. My last infusion will be February 9th, and we have a WDW trip planned for February 25th, after which I'll have surgery. I know I won't be my robust, commando self, but at this point, we are still going. We will celebrate and relax, and escape the gray Oregon winter. I just wonder how others have managed to enjoy the parks at a slower pace, and with fewer miles walked. Thanks in advance for your help.

My sister rented a wheelchair for her recent trip to WDW. She has fatigue as well as balance issues from her battle with metastatic breast cancer. I agree with renting an ECV. I wish you the best of luck in your remaining treatments and recovery

 

[ttintagel]

Of course, everybody's body is different, and chemo drugs are different, etc. I'm not a doctor, and this is just my own personal experience.

That said, I had surgery and chemo for ovarian cancer ten years ago, when I had been fairly young and strong, and I can't imagine touring a Disney park at that time without a wheelchair or ECV. Even on days when I felt good and had energy, it could go in a flash, with no warning, and I'd need to sit down and rest RIGHT THERE AND THEN. Walking to the nearest bench would have been out of the question when it hit.

Beyond that, I'd say pay closer than usual attention to your body's signals - don't wait until you're absolutely wrung out before taking a rest, because it will take longer to bounce back if you do. Drink even when you don't feel thirsty, wear sun protection even when it doesn't feel overly sunny, and stay on a strict schedule for any medications you're taking.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) MrsRustyScupper endured chemo.
2) She went to the parks about 3-months after the last treatment.
3) With an ECV, she had no problems.
. . . avoided getting tired from walking
. . . was able to easily zip into A/C areas when she would start to get overheated
. . . could lean-back in the seat if she needed to relax


Enjoy your trip.

 

[Bete]

I really think getting a scooter is your best bet, if you are determined to go. You can still walk at times and park the scooter, but it's really a good safety net. If you have a pusher, a wheelchair is another option. Your day will be longer with a scooter rather than without. It's worth the cost. Enjoying the park is far more worth it with a scooter than without.

Renting a scooter from an outside vendor will be way cheaper. Also, you get to have it all the time including in and out of the park and at the resort. There are models that fit and break apart for a car, if you are traveling that way. For a car you want a travel, portable scooter.

You can practice with store scooters for free right now. The store scooters are actually harder than the rental scooter you will have.

Alternate rides, shows and eating. That way you have rest periods. Make sure you utilize FP+ as much as possible.

You might qualify for a DAS, but I would think their answer to fatigue and such is wheelchair or scooter.

 

[Gracie09]

My only concern with an ecv is that it can be mentally fatiguing to drive one all day. You have to be alert and aware of your surroundings more than when walking. Is there a curb, is that kid going to dart, is that person taking a picture going to back into me, is the group in front of me going to suddenly stop etc. yes all stuff you are aware of when walking but you can stop quickly when walking and the worse you can do is bump into someone. And ecv takes time and distance to stop so you have to anticipate others movements.

I may opt for a wheelchair. She can push it if she doesn't need it and it can help with balance if that is an issue. And then ride in it when she is fatigued or for long distances.

 

[Bete]

Wheelchair is probably the best choice if you have willing pushers.

 

[elleavon]

I appreciate all the input.
Because I amnot completely disabled, I could see having DH push a wheelchair for the longer stretches, then park the wheelchair while we use the attractions in that area. But maybe I'd be better off staying in the wheelchair while in line.
I completely expect to spend some quality alone time in the hotel room resting while DH and DD8 race around the parks.
Planning this trip gives me a welcome diversion from my misery and concerns.

 

[SMD]

How set in stone or nonrefundable are your plans? Sometimes chemo gets delayed due to complications and it may throw your time table off. Are you planning to fly? Ask your doctor what the timetable might be for going on a plane, public transportation or being in a theater, or if they expect to place those restrictions on you post chemo while your immune system recovers.

 

[elleavon]

How set in stone or nonrefundable are your plans? Sometimes chemo gets delayed due to complications and it may throw your time table off. Are you planning to fly? Ask your doctor what the timetable might be for going on a plane, public transportation or being in a theater, or if they expect to place those restrictions on you post chemo while your immune system recovers.

I have a room only reservation and haven't bought plane tickets yet. I know very well this trip could get cancelled. I've already had chemo delayed 4 days. If all goes as planned, I'll be 16 days post chemo. The drug I'm getting now is supposed to be less taxing on my immune system. I have discussed the trip with my doctor and she has no concerns or objections. I'll see this month how the different chemo affects me and and then make the final decision on whether we'll go.

 

[Sunnywho]

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[a1tinkfans]

I too think ur body will tell you. Think positive, stay
Hydrate n go slowly. I can't tell you what an Amazing trip I had, first time back after my own battle and WIN over cancer. I used to think about Disney, listen to the music,and it always helped me push thru those difficult days n weeks. The mental anguish n exhaustion never mind the physical, was so difficult. Wishing u the Very Best!!

 

[ttintagel]

I appreciate all the input.
Because I amnot completely disabled, I could see having DH push a wheelchair for the longer stretches, then park the wheelchair while we use the attractions in that area. But maybe I'd be better off staying in the wheelchair while in line.
I completely expect to spend some quality alone time in the hotel room resting while DH and DD8 race around the parks.
Planning this trip gives me a welcome diversion from my misery and concerns.

When you feel like walking, you could also push the empty wheelchair, to have something to lean on.

I just wanted to respond to the "because I am not completely disabled" part of your post. You don't have to be completely disabled to need a wheelchair at WDW just because you don't need one in your "real" life. A day at WDW is much more physically strenuous, and stimulating to the brain and senses. There's nothing at all inappropriate about using a wheelchair during that time, especially when you're temporarily not at your normal level of health. It doesn't mean you've decided to consider yourself "completely disabled." If you couldn't reach something because your shoulder hurt and the shelves were twice as high as the ones you had at home, there'd be nothing wrong or dishonest in using a stepstool for that particular task.

Another fun thing to do when you're resting is to find yourself a spot with a nice view and take a lot of pictures. The Liberty Belle steamboat is a great ride for that, and the waiting area is nice and shaded. The Monorail resort lobbies are lovely places to hang out, peoplewatch, and take in the surroundings, besides being good photo subjects. CM's and passersby are generally more than happy to take your picture with anything you're interested in, too.

Lounging at the Grand Floridian: