WDW after surgery

[AnninIowa]

My dad and I have a trip planned to WDW - the first time either of us will be going - for the first week of October. However, my dad is now having prostate surgery next Tuesday. Both the doctor and nurse have told him they are "pretty sure" he'll be fine to go - doctor said he wouldn't want him to drive there but the plane ride will be fine. But what about walking in the parks and riding attractions??? He doesn't have prostate cancer, they are just reducing the size of his prostate and he'll be in the hospital a couple of days.

I am wondering if anyone else has been in this situation? Dad doesn't want to cancel the trip, at least not until after the surgery to see how he feels. We've had this trip planned for months and both of us are really looking forward to it, but I'm just so unsure as to what to do!!

 

[babar41]

Wait and see how the surgery goes. There should be ample healing time as long as you take it easy, wouldn't suggest going commando style this visit. Please post back and let us know how he is doing. You both will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Just as a side note, having the WDW trip to look forward to could really be a positive for your dad, might help him through the surgery and recovery!

 

[kilee]

I would just continue to touch base w/ his physician. They doctors are the ones who will know your dad's condition best and what he should and/or shouldn't do.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would just continue to touch base w/ his physician. They doctors are the ones who will know your dad's condition best and what he should and/or shouldn't do.

Yes.
You should probably have a pretty good idea by a week after the surgery.

If he turns out to not have the stamina for a WDW trip, you can also look into renting him a wheelchair or ecv (electric scooter). There is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Wait to see how Dad feels after surgery. If he feels up to it, go and have a great time. He will need to pace himself and take it easy. For us, that's the best way to do WDW!

 

[Bellefan66]

I would think he'll be okay,just tired. It's laser surgery,correct? That is usually less evasive.I'd think him being somewhat sore, and tired will be his biggest complaints. So,like everyone says,take it slow. BTW,I say all this because Hubby has "been there",and did fine.

 

[BALAMAV]

Last year we had planned a huge family trip to Disney and a cruise planned. 7 days at Disney and 3 day cruise. There were 20 of us going. 6 weeks before we left my sisters FIL fell of a ladder in his garage. He is 70 and broke his hip. We were all pretty worried. They were looking forward to this trip for a year. Anyway he was able to go. He took it very easy the whole time up to the trip. We rented him a electric scooter from Disney everyday. He did very well. Walking around the resort he used a cane. On the ship there is not so much walking he just used his cane. On the trip down. (we drove) they just stopped enough for him to get out stretch his legs. He had a good time. He just had to go slow all week which he said he liked. He got to stop and smell the roses. Which I can tell you we never do. We are always running around those parks like wild men. I hope all works out. Keep us informed. Brenda

 

[AnninIowa]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!! Dad is determined to go - as I said, neither of us have ever been there, but after watching all the Disney shows on Travel Channel, we both decided we'd like to see it at least once. We were already planning on a pretty relaxed pace - my dad is very healthy and active, but at 73 needs his naps! LOL!!!

 

[philaround]

This past May we went to WDW less then 60 days after I had the upper lobe of my left lung removed due to lung cancer. I had started to plan this tripa month before my surgery [knowing full well that the surgery ws scheduled for 3/11] and was determined that it would happen. Well it happened and we had a great time. I even went swimming while we were there.

Just keep in mind that of things get too rough for your dad you could always rent an ECV for him.

Wish your dad good luck for me.

 

[AnninIowa]

Hello all! I thought I would report back that my dad came through his surgery just fine and is healing pretty well. However, we're now only 17 days away from WDW and he's still tired and needs to sit/lay down a lot. I am begging him to consider renting the scooter wheelchairs in the parks, but so far he's refusing - hopefully it will change when we get there.

A question about the scooter chairs: if he does get one, does he get into a seperate line for rides? Can I stand with him in the line or do we get seperated? Also, if he doesn't feel up to a ride, do all the big rides have single rider lines?

 

[poohguys]

Annin Iowa-
I am glad to hear that your father is doing well. I had surgery Aug 31st. The dr says I should be fine to go on all of the rides. I think that the thought of going to WDW makes you heal quicker. We will be there the same time as you. We are leaving in 16 days. Take lots of breaks. It is always fun to sit and take in everything around you. I have a 4 yr old so I don't think we will be resting too much, but I am going to try to take it easy. Maybe when he gets there he will reconsider about the wheelchair.

I hope that you both have a great trip!

 

[DanaHesson]

Hello all! I thought I would report back that my dad came through his surgery just fine and is healing pretty well. However, we're now only 17 days away from WDW and he's still tired and needs to sit/lay down a lot. I am begging him to consider renting the scooter wheelchairs in the parks, but so far he's refusing - hopefully it will change when we get there.

A question about the scooter chairs: if he does get one, does he get into a seperate line for rides? Can I stand with him in the line or do we get seperated? Also, if he doesn't feel up to a ride, do all the big rides have single rider lines?

Recovery wise. Just continue to encourage him to take it easy between now and then, and keep your options open. I can tell you, as a nurse, that the 3rd days is usually the worst pain wise (at least for ortho sx.) and 17 days is a LOT of time for recovery to take place. Make sure your dad follows the doctors orders and you will probably be fine. What has the Doctor said about the trip anyway? I dont think you have said....? or did i miss it?

As for the lines with the scooter chairs, I think he has to park it at the front of the line and be able to ambulate through the line. The traditional wheelchairs are a different story, they can be pushed through the queues.

 

[Shooby doo]

My advice would be to take your "prompts" from your Dad if he's tired rest..etc DW had had fairly major brain surgery 11 weeks prior to our trip (last year was definately NOT a good year!!) & we thought that we would have to cancel our trip but the thought of the trip helped her thru' some fairly rough times! We just set our pace by her,if she wasn't up to staying for Spectro ..etc then we left the park early. We have got some terrific pictures from that trip!!
HTH SD aw:

 

[PrincessCM]

The scooter chairs go through the handicap lines. Usually the entire party can stay together so you can sit together. Most rides you do need to transfer out of the chair to ride. Shows have special areas for wheelchairs and scooter chairs. Good luck!!!!

 

[whacked]

Unless there are complications, the main problem he will likely have is urinary urgency.

I'm an RN who has cared for people after this proceedure, and my father has also had the proceedure (Assuming it is a TURP or similar).

For the first while (It varys by individual) he will probably not have much warning before he needs a restroom.

He won't like it, but you might want to make sure you have some form of pad on hand in case he can't get to the restrooms in time and needs something in place "just in case".

 

[AnninIowa]

Yes, he had the TRUP - and the bathroom issue is our other "big" issue! I am trying to convince him of the adult pads. Heck, I'd wear them to avoid some public restrooms!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

The scooter chairs go through the handicap lines. Usually the entire party can stay together so you can sit together. Most rides you do need to transfer out of the chair to ride. Shows have special areas for wheelchairs and scooter chairs. Good luck!!!!

Most of the attractions have what is called "Mainstream Access" which means the regular lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible and everyone waits together. All the Fastpass lines are accessible, so if your party gets Fastpasses, you can all go in together.
A few lines are not ECV accessible; for those, they have wheelchairs at the entrance to the queue or you can choose to park the ECV and walk in line.

This link to the disABILITIES FAQs thread will help answer all your questions. There is a link in that thread to the Disney Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, where there is a list of the Mainstream lines.

PS. The wheelchair/ECV seating for shows is often in the back row. If your whole party doesn't want to sit there, you can split up and let some members sit closer.