Taking my neice with cancer.. yea... questions

[scootch]

Ok, got the clearance from her dr to take her. Bit of history, she had a tumor removed from her sciatic nerve June 2005,(she has no feeling below her knee on the right side, wears a brace and can walk with a limp) found out Sept 05 that it had metastisized to her lungs. Took her to several drs, they all said the tumor is so rare, and the only treatment options with limited success were so severe, they suggested we do nothing. She was only 19 year old... how do you do nothing??? especially when she wanted to fight it. So found a dr to treat her... she has had numerous surgeries, chemo, radiation, ect.... In May, her scans looked clear... Aug found another lung tumor, had another surgery. Now they think there is yet another small new lung tumor, but are letting her go to disney before they will proceed with any surgery. We arrive on the 12th... she will go home on the 16th, so mainly she will have mon/tues/wed in the parks(I will be staying a bit longer). That is probably long enough for her though as she tires easily. This way if they need to do surgery, they can do it on friday the 17th.

So question.... was going to rent a scooter outside... but she wants the option if the busses are full to just grab a taxi.. so we are going to just rent a scooter at the parks. Since it is mid november, mon/tue/wed/ and we will be getting there at opening each day, hoping we will get a scooter without too much difficulty. Can someone tell me where the scooter rental stations are located at each park?

She can stand in line for short periods, I know there is some disability thing she can get right?? if the line is too long???

I already requested at POFQ to be near the bus stops....

so any other suggestions on how to make this a magical time?(other than the obvious, it will just be magical to be at disney). I know she will love being with my girls also and it will be a trip to remember. Obviously her prognosis is quite poor, so I really want her to have a wonderful time.

thanks if you have read this far.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think she should still rent from off-site. The ECVs are much easier to maneuver than Disney's.

Just be sure, when you rent, that you tell them you will have a car. That way they will be sure to give you an ECV that can be easily broken down. If you are going to use a taxi, there should be plenty of room in the trunk for it. Either you can then break it down and assemble, or show the driver how; the driver can put it into the trunk or take it out.

Also, it does not hurt to call reservations daily about the Contemporary. Call right after opening and start now. Don't forget that there is a five day cancellation notice required and so people who change their minds will be cancelling reservations. Also, if you can get it, you can have your deposit from PO transerred, and it is considered a reservation change not subject to any penalties.

 

[LindaDVC]

I hope you all have a magical trip!

I think the best way to enjoy Disney is to head out in the morning stay til after lunch and then head back for a swim or rest in the afternoon.

We always go back for the evening shows which to me are the most magical moments at Disney! I love all 3-- wishes , illuminations, and fantasmic!

Hopefully the crowds will be low and you will have a great trip!

Linda

 

[hookedup]

I don't have anything much to add except to wish you a super magical trip. I, too, have a neice with cancer. She is only 22 and is not doing well with her fight of bone cancer (Osteosarchoma).
Take it slow and make the trip a relaxing one!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I wish I could take my dn to WDW but her immunities are too weak at this point. Have a safe and very magical trip!!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Your niece can take the ECV in the queue. If you want to learn about the Guest Assistance Card, and if it would benefit your niece, there's a great "sticky" at the top of this forum about the GAC.

I hope you have a wonderful trip, and that your niece's treatment goes well!

 

[scootch]

I don't have anything much to add except to wish you a super magical trip. I, too, have a neice with cancer. She is only 22 and is not doing well with her fight of bone cancer (Osteosarchoma).
Take it slow and make the trip a relaxing one!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I wish I could take my dn to WDW but her immunities are too weak at this point. Have a safe and very magical trip!!!!

Isn't is just so disheartening. Lindsey was suppose to go with us last year, but couldn't since she was getting chemo. WE have gone back and forth whether she could go this time and she finally said, I am going... if they want to do surgery, they can do it on friday! My neices cancer is similar to a sarcoma, hers is called a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Noone who has ever had metastisis to the lungs has lived longer than 4 years..... we are prayign for a miracle.

thanks everyone.

 

[SueOKW]

I know you want nothing but good things to happen. So how does that happen? I would just be all over customer service on this one.

A lot of calls to the resorts to see what can be changed around, what can be upgraded, what special events can be arranged... how can things be made better for this trip? I would just lay it right on the line and find out what can be done. And if nothing significantly changes at the resorts, the day before you check in, call the place and ask for their front desk.. then verify it really is PORs front desk - not the "central front desk".. tell them what's going on and what you are hoping for.

My sister's breast cancer came back one sad day - and our time was limited. I'm very empathetic to your situation. We went overboard making memories together - a lot of traveling - and I'm so glad we did, and I worry we could have done more.. but I know we pushed the envelope as much as we could. I remember one trip we were in Philly - and she had always been cautious with her travel money, but we decided to make a real weekend of it and stay at the Ritz. I checked us in, it was a girl's trip, my sis, her daugthers and me. Anyway - - I told the clerk at the front desk all about her condition and prognoisis when I checked in - (after I had parked her with some tea over in the expansive beautiful lobby) - and we got a most spectacular set up. I thanked the clerk profusely.

It's hard being the person to go up to strangers and say - listen, this is our chance for magic. I need everything you can give me, and if I can, I'll pay for the rest. While money meant nothing to me at that point, I only had so much.

So - within guidelines - get the gac of course.. and explain clearly to the CM what's going on. They need to see her, but she shouldn't be in earshot. You know? Be her advocate in getting the magic. While she's too old to be a wish kid, perhaps they can give her a little similar treatment - that's what I'm hoping for you. Their hands will be tied in many ways, but you never know what might happen - this is the year of magic, after all.

Sorry I'm going on with actually no advice - I just feel so much for you and your family. And of course, I am praying for you all, and praying for you to have some extra Aunt strength given to you.
Sue

 

[scootch]

Thanks Sue... it appears I can now get a room at the Contemporary(at least three nights of it)... and i know the monorail would be so much easier for her, especially if we rented a scooter outside. We arrive on sunday and have adr's at chef mickey's, plus monday we are doing morning at MK and all day tuesday, so she could scoot back to the room much easier at the Contemporary rather than POFQ..... but money was stopping me. This morning at church though I thought, money shouldn't be stopping me... i need to do whatever I can to make this the time of her life. Unfortunately I won't probably get the opportunity to spend money at her wedding or on her children someday.... so thanks for the boost that that is the right thing to do. Hugs to you for the loss of your sister.

 

[Albort]

im not too sure if were talking about DLR or WDW...

but by all means for DLR, bring a doctors note to City Hall and get a back of the line pass... it will get you through the line faster... its like a fastpass or go from the exit pass...

I feel so sorry... i see a lot of the "Make a wish Foundation" and it just makes me cry to see them...(i work there)

 

[DVCJones]

I have no advice, but just want to wish you a very magical trip and the very best for your niece. I will include her in my prayers.

 

[SueOKW]

.. that for whatever reason this morning I just kept writing and re-writing.. i'm very glad that we were thinking similar things at similar times. Good move getting over the to the monorail resort... that will save an hour a day - at least, and a lot of discomfort. Rolling right onto the monorail is a huge difference. HUGE! I hope something comes through for you to get that last night you need for her there. There comes a time when the fear of spending too much money doesn't mean a hill of beans.

I believe you could have your scooter delivered there and picked up also - there is info about that elsewhere on this board. My other thought is to make sure you get hooked up on a photo pass and get as many pics taken as you can - those folks are everywhere now. Buy some Disney music CDs from there or somewhere to remind both of you of your good time. So now you have some sights and sounds.

Hugs to you both and all of your family... being such brave troopers and going out and capturing those good times. Some may be bittersweet, but it is Walt Disney World after all...... and there should be lots of smiles.

Sue

 

[michelle9343]

I just wnated to say I think it is beautiful what you are doing. Making magical memories. I will keep your neice in my prayers. I agree with Sue that you should talk to some CM's and lay it on the line. You never know what magic they can make happen.

 

[scootch]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers. I did upgrade to the Cont for her only 13 days... better get busy

 

[Tomskatt]

Praying for your neice and family! God bless. And have a magical time!