Touring after chemotherapy

[bradk]

I'm going to WDW with an adult who will have just finished her last chemotherapy session just about 5 days before the trip. I was wondering if anyone had any experiences or advice to share. Right now we've come up with the following two concerns:

1) WC/ECV - she's said depending on how she feels, she might want to rent one. I'd be inclined to believe that it might be overkill to rent one for the week and would inevitably be more trouble than it's worth. So is it enough to just know where to get them in the parks? I know where to rent them, but I was thinking the issue might be if we're at the opposite end of the park when she decides she needs one.

2) Because of the chemotherapy, she's lost her hair, which is obviously a very sensitive issue. She wears a wig, but I was wondering how much of an issue that would be on the thrill rides, plus she thought it might be too hot anyway so she might stick to a bandana/scarf. Would that still be a concern?

thanks for any insight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The only place other than a park entrance to rent an ECV or Wheelchair is the International Gateway entrance of Epcot.
But you can always ask a nearby Cast Member if you could borrow a wheelchair, if you found yourself at, say, Splash Mountain when she ran out of steam.

And, yeah, I'd go with the scarf. The wig store (if that's where she went), especially if they specialize in cancer patients, will probably have alternative headwear, e.g. pre-tied scarves, but she can probably find a better choice at Walmart, KMart, Target... These 'plain', flat scarves can be, IMO, attached/tied more securely to the head.

 

[bradk]

thanks, so a scarf isn't an issue on say big thunder? initially she said she'd just go bald but i don't think that's gonna fly when she realizes the photos and the fact that she won't be able to put the scarf or whatever back on until the ride finishes.

 

[Momelie]

If she wears one of the full head scarves that have kind of long ends, have her just re-tie, or just tighten it VERY well before she goes on BTMRR, or SM, and she should be OK. Wigs would pretty much be a no-no, as we found out with my mother and Test Track. At one point, Mom was wearing a huge triangular scarf tied under her chin like an old movie star - that actually worked best, it even kept her sunglasses on, LOL!

As far as endurance, my experience is that it sneaks up on you, big time. If MK is your first park, I'd go ahead and rent a wheelchair to begin with - she can always push it if needed, then sit when she needs to. She can also park it outside attractions, or in a certain area - like the stroller parking in the different lands, and just move it when she does. I think you will find that its better to have it and not need it, than desperately need one, and it be at the opposite end of the park.

Good luck, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[bradk]

that's what i was thinking too. i was going to suggest she try going for a walk prior to the trip to get a feel for it, but then i figured the fact that's going to be at disney which she's looking so forward to and she'll have her daughter with her, it might give some additional adrenaline or whatever, but i agree it might be a sound investment. i'm just wondering how much of a burden having it with us would be if she's not using it either although i'm sure her daughter wouldnt mind being pushed around. plus i have the family magic tour scheduled. i think what i might suggest is we go for dumbo without it and then pick it up before the tour.

thanks

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

check out www.chemochicks.com they have some really great stuff and since it will be hot she may want to consider getting one of the henna tattoos for her head. This way she can where a hat in the sun and when she takes her hat off for the ride she'll have a cool tattoo and she will not have just a plain bald head.

http://chemochicks.com/shop_creative_baldness_options.htm

They even have some great T's.
http://chemochicks.com/shop_chick_a_tude_t_shirts.htm

 

[zumbergc]

If your wondering if she is going to need the wheelchair.

How is she 5 days after her chemo treatments now?
Does she have energy, can she last a day out shopping on her feet the whole time?
If she does do that, how does she feel the next day, is she completely exhausted?

Chemo is additive, the longer into the chemo generally the more tired, and more side affects the person experiences.

Depending on the person, their age, and what chemo they are on, can make a difference in how they feel 5 days later.

Is this person walking on a regular basis? If they are walking, it will make the trip go better, and they might have the leg strength necesary w/out the wheel chair.

Good luck w. the trip. At the min, grab the names of the off site wheel chair and ecv phone numbers. That way, when you get their after the first day, it could be apparent she needs one everyday, or not?

Connie

 

[CHRISP1027]

My advise would be to rent a scooter for the time you will be there. There are places you can rent them from and they will deliver it to your hotel. If you wait until she needs one they might not be available. They are on a first come first serve and they go quick, unfortunatley a lot of them are rented to people who don't need assistance.
My next bit of advise is to take your time and don't rush. Pace yourselves to keep her from getting tired.
We took our 22 year old daughter, Chrissy to Disneyworld during her chemo. She had brain cancer and was on Temodar oral chemo. Her Chemo schedule was 40 days on 30 days off and back on 40 days and so on. She went through 18 months of this before she passed away.
The Disneyworld trip was a good thing for her to do, but we had to pace ourselves and with her having the scooter she didn't tire out. Another bit of advice is whatever hotel you will be staying in make sure you request all clean bedding. What I mean by that is usually between guests the bedspeads are not changed. House keeping can get lazy and not even change the blankets. We stayed at Carribean Beach and on our 2nd day there I layed down with my daughter right after she took her chemo treatment and pulled the blanket up and felt something stiff on the blanket. There was dried up vomit on it from the previous guest. I was furious not only because it was disgusting but my daughter had to be careful of germs. When I complained, they did apologize but that was about it. They said they would talk to housekeeping. It's not like we were keeping her in a bubble but she was there because she knew she was terminal and our trip there was a diversion for her and to give the rest of us some happy memories.

 

[CHRISP1027]

I tried to insert a photo of Chrissy but it wouldn't let me or I can't figure it out. So if interested you can visit
chrissyscrusade.com

 

[SueM in MN]

I tried to insert a photo of Chrissy but it wouldn't let me or I can't figure it out. So if interested you can visit
chrissyscrusade.com

I think you need to have more posts before you can insert a photo (and even then, I sometimes have problems).

I visited your website - very beautiful and touching. I am sorry for your loss and thank you for posting here and using your experience to help someone else build some good memories.

 

[SueM in MN]

check out www.chemochicks.com they have some really great stuff and since it will be hot she may want to consider getting one of the henna tattoos for her head. This way she can where a hat in the sun and when she takes her hat off for the ride she'll have a cool tattoo and she will not have just a plain bald head.

http://chemochicks.com/shop_creative_baldness_options.htm

They even have some great T's.
http://chemochicks.com/shop_chick_a_tude_t_shirts.htm

very cool website and the prices are very good too.

I would suggest using sunscreen if she decides on the henna tattoo or the lacy beaded hats. The scalp probably would burn pretty easily in the Florida sun.

 

[zumbergc]

Here are some links to head covers. Also, mixed in are some hair pieces.
They have bangs, pony tails, etc available now adays.
Some of the bangs just velcro in, so if she wears some type of scarf or hat she can have the look of hair, bangs, without the heat of a full wig.

http://www.headcovers.com/moreinfo.php?id=11003

http://www.headcovers.com/moreinfo.php?id=380

http://www.headcovers.com/moreinfo.php?id=293


http://www.softhats.com/category.php

http://www.turbans.com/item.php?next=40&cat=Turbans


I haven't purchased from any of these sites, but looked for them for my mom.

Also at some beauty supply store they have some fake hair options too.

Many cancer centers have a "look good feel good" places. Where they help a person draw in eye brows, and have help in finding wigs, hats, etc.

 

[bradk]

thanks for the added advice and links. i've only seen her a couple of times since she's been on chemo, so i don't know how she is on a day to day basis, i can only interject personal experience with my own mother in that i know she had about one good week every month and it wasn't right after the treatment.

i'll propose renting the ECV (probably from walker medical), but it's ultimately her decision. she did mention the possibility of renting the WC to begin with in the parks. i'm fully aware that the inventory is never guaranteed but the plan is to be at the parks early anyway (if the kids ever wake up early enough) and not hopping.

i was thinking a good pair of ears would be beneficial as well since they have that stupid chin strap now.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the added advice and links. i've only seen her a couple of times since she's been on chemo, so i don't know how she is on a day to day basis, i can only interject personal experience with my own mother in that i know she had about one good week every month and it wasn't right after the treatment.

i'll propose renting the ECV (probably from walker medical), but it's ultimately her decision. she did mention the possibility of renting the WC to begin with in the parks. i'm fully aware that the inventory is never guaranteed but the plan is to be at the parks early anyway (if the kids ever wake up early enough) and not hopping.

i was thinking a good pair of ears would be beneficial as well since they have that stupid chin strap now.

Sadly, often the 'good time' comes the week right before the next chemo is due.

 

[bradk]

indeed. although in this case, she's hopefully done with the chemo and is taking the trip before radiation starts in june. unfortunately, it's less than a week after chemo.

she did mention she's going to 6 flags here, i presume before this trip, so that should be a bit of an indicator. but i'm seeing her this weekend anyway, so i'll bring it all up.