WDW post-surgery

[cgorn]

My wife is having surgery 24 days before we leave for WDW. We're trying to figure out if we need to cancel or try and change resorts (we're at POP), and what accomodations Disney offers for people in our situation.

Without going into too much detail: The surgery is not abdominal (which would have a longer recovery time). Doctors have told her she will be off her feet for about a week, will want to take it easy for another week, and by the third week should feel pretty normal. However, she will have a lift restriction for about 4-6 weeks, which means she won't be able to carry our 2-year old daughter. Also, she will likely have drains in after the surgery, but they should be out before the trip.

She is worried that the room at POP might be a bit cramped, and we can't request a handicapable room because we do need the bathtub. And she was wondering if we wind up needing extra pillows if they will be able to supply them.

Does anyone have any experience with visiting WDW shortly after an operation, and do you have any advice? Would you cancel? Mentally, my wife said that the trip is something that has kept her spirits up through this whole ordeal, so that's the biggest reason NOT to cancel.

Thanks!

Chad

 

[FigNewton]

I don't know if I would cancel but I would certainly consider delaying it another month or so if possible. I had ankle surgery about 2 months before our trip 2 years ago and that was pretty straight forward - on crutches for a week, about 4 weeks of PT. No drains or lift restrictions. But even at 3 weeks post-op I don't think I would have done very well. As it was at 8 weeks I was still taking stops frequently through out the day. 24 days feels like it might be pushing things to me but only your wife could make the call of what she thinks she can handle and it's gonna be vastly different for every type of surgery.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I was in an accident and unable to walk - even the distance from the lobby to the room - without danger to my injured achilles tendon.

Now, a year later, I am about to have surgery on my knee 2 1/2 weeks before we leave for DL. I understand the concern and fears.

I have a one word answer - Scootarama.

Last year my DH rented a scooter for me. This time, my surgeon gave me to go ahead for the DL trip because we will rent a scooter.

Scootarama in Florida was quite simply fabulous. They will deliver it to your hotel and pickup after you leave - wicked cool - wicked easy.

Go to the disability board and they will have many more answers for you but here are a few tips.


We always get a rental car so we rented a Pride Revo. It breaks down into 5 easy to handle pieces. We are not fans of the WDW bus system and certainly didn't want to deal with loading and unloading a scooter each time we wanted to travel.

It was so easy.

Have your doctor write a script for a temporary handicapped plackard for your car. With the handicapped plackard you will have FREE valet parking (don't forget to tip). Everyone was so helpful loading and unloading the scooter parts!

Be warned - stay away from the parks when they are crowded - not everyone is polite and people simply don't see you -- if you can believe that! Watch carefully for children who like to instantly dart in front of you.....their eyes are elsewhere and don't notice you. If it got crowded - we would just leave and do something else.

Finally......

Turn lemons into lemonaide!

I gave myself a $25 budget for FUN. I went to Wally-World's bike department and bought a little squeaky horn and bike bell....then off to the fabric department to make a pouch for the back to hold jackets, my folding cane and everything else we can't live without but don't want to carry.

It was Christmas time so I decorated the basket with garland and ribbon....I was quite fetching!!!


We could not accomplish as much as when I was walking but what we found a special magic on that trip. We stopped and saw things we often miss because we were rushing somewhere else. We had a ball and enjoyed just being together. It actually was one of our favorite trips...and we have probably over 50 under out belts!

Take a list of hidden mickey's to search for -- or a list of all the names on the Main Street windows - then go find them.

After Illluminations we always stroll around World Showcase....often we are one of the last to leave EPCOT for the evening. This time, with WS empty I would .... scoot to the music......circles around the plantings. DH said it looked like I was ice skating!

Oh yes.....one more tip. When you first pickup the scooter.....scoot on over to the parking lot and practice. Practice going in reverse, turning, how to control the speed, practice in tight places....get comfortable with the scooter before you head out in public!

Now.....make your plans and have a wonderful trip.

We managed to walk/scoot together holding hands. It was a great trip and in 36 days we will do the same in Disneyland.

Have a magical trip.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. You can get a lot of information from people who have had similar situations. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs which may start by providing suggestions, Post #2 generally deals with mobility and stamina issues while Post #3 deals with a wide range of issues grouped by topic. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

 

[jworkkul]

About 6 years ago I had an emergency gallbladder removal the day after 4th of July. I had reservations at AKL for July 11th and kept those reservations.
I rented an electric wheelchair (there are many of those in the Orlando Area just yellow page and look up electric wheelchairs and they will deliver right to your hotel) and that was a lifesaver. Just don't overdo it. Go on the rides
with the less movement and have fun. The room you are staying in is big
enough to put an electric wheelchair in. I know because I have done it on many many occasions. It might be a little cramped. I just back it up under the window beside the little table.

I don't think you should cancel. Just pace yourself and not get over worked.
If need be, go back to the hotel during the day for some rest and relaxation and then come back later in the evening.

I hope all goes well with your surgery. Also, my daughter had brain surgery and just as soon as she was discharged from the hospital, we were right back at Disney with her in a wheelchair. Of course we didn't do much, just walked around, but that outing did her a world of good.

 

[Nadjalu]

Without knowing the surgery it is hard to say. Being in the medical field I can assure you this answer should come from her doctors.
That said, has your wife had anesthesia before? Does she know how she recovers from it? (it takes several months to fully recover from anesthesia)

What about walking, I assume when the doctors say "normal" activity they don't mean walking miles each day.

Have they any restrictions on "working out"? That would give you an indicator. If she worked out before hand when have they said she can return to that?
IF you have been to DW before, how does she handle the trip? Is it a trip in which at the end she needs another vacation or when getting home is rearing to go?
That to can be an indicator.

Since she is looking forward to it that is a hard call to make. But what about spending all this money and she isn't able to do anything she wants to make it fun or memorable?

Personally I wouldn't even dream of a vacation where I need to be active after any surgery.
Infact it would be months after a procedure that I would go, but that is me.
I couldn't handle spending all the money to have a vacation and memories with me possibly "laid up" for part of it.

FYI, I love POP but if you do plow ahead and go that certainly isn't the resort for recooperation!

JMO, but I think the only resort to stay at would be a deluxe, with all the amenities at the tip of a phone.

Some other things to think about:
If she isn't feeling well are you talking DD and going without her, leaving her in the room? Or will the family stay in?

Will she need medication that she isn't used to after this procedure? This could react in a funny way with her.

Is there any reason she can postpone the surgery until after the trip?

Is there any reason (other than her emotions) preventing you from rescheduling the trip?

I wish you the best, but you asked for opinions and I gave mine.
NO WAY would I ever do what you may do.

Good luck with your decision, it is a hard one but I think since you are asking you really know the answer. Good luck with the surgery as well, I hope all goes according to plan and your wife heals quickly!!!

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

What does her doctor think about the trip? I ask because I learned on 9/29, that I would have to have emergency gallbladder surgery on 9/30. We were leaving for WDW on 10/01, less than 24 hours after my surgery. While it wasn't the ideal situation, my doctor was supportive of me making my trip. He has young children and understands the importance of the family vacation. We stayed at Beach Club Villas, which was very nice for recouperating! We flew down, so that was easier than driving 10+ hours. The first day or so, I spent a lot of time in the room resting, while my husband took the kids to the MK. I moved more slowly than usual. I couldn't ride any coasters or things like Dinosaur. I rested in the shade while DH took the kids on those. Instead of going to the water parks, we enjoyed our pool. That way, I could cool off some in the pool and the rest in a lounge chair if needed. I still did a lot of walking. I never used a wheelchair or a scooter once we arrived, but I was willing to if needed. When DH suggested a scooter, I said, "No way! I would be the talk of the DISboards - that crazy lady who couldn't drive the thing & kept running over people!"

The main thing to keep your expectations realistic. You can't do it all. You will move slower. You will need more breaks. And it's ok to be in bed by 9:00pm or to sleep until 9:00am at WDW if your body needs it.

 

[lisadam]

The previous posters - especially the one in the medical field - gave some good advice.

I had 3 surgeries in 2008 - the first in January - it was a mastectomy. I was up and doing "normal things" about 3.5 - 4 weeks after the surgery - including a very long commute to work on public transportation which included changing trains several times and over a mile of walking in the round trip.

I would not have enjoyed a Disney trip... in fact we waited until January of 2009 to go - much to our disappointment.

I think you two will have to weigh the psychological benefits of being at Disney (and happiness does help healing!) vs.the strain on her body.

Of course if you know there will be additional medical things coming up soon - and you think this is the window of opportunity that you need - then use the previous posters' advise and enjoy!

 

[cgorn]

Thank you all for your posts and messages! This has been a big help.

Since y'all are being so open, I'll tell you -- she is having a mastectomy, with reconstruction. The doctors have all said she should be able to go. So there won't be anything in her lower body that will be restricting her from walking -- really it's a matter of stamina.

Because of her job, we can't reschedule for January or February. I might contact the agent to see if it would be possible to switch resorts, but we took advantage of free QSDP, so I don't know how that will be affected. My wife isn't sure how much there is to do at POP if we don't go to the parks as often as normal, but I found out on another post that there are plenty of sights and activities.

Also, we were planning on taking it slow and not riding many rides with height restrictions due to having a 2-year old. These are all the reasons we haven't just up and cancelled.

I'll check out those other boards, too. Thanks again!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

WHile I think there are some great considerations here...I can sort of give the other side....A family member of mine went to WDW - more or less to specifically help her recover from major surgery. WDW was her physical therapy - so to speak.

Honestly, she was very disappointed with the professional physical therapy she got. She was motivated, others in her group therapy were not. She went twice as it happens. once was before teh trip, and once after...they happen to be at the same facility where she works out...She was disgusted with her fellow members who didn't want topush themselves in any way...I'm shortening things here...but weeks later they were still whining and their condition was not improved, while she was totally back on her feet. At WDW, she had scooter, but tried to walk a little bit more each day.

Her surgery was not minor. While two different people can have two different recoveries- I say if going to WDW is a motivation for her, then it may well be a great idea. And I dont think all doctors 'get' that. Some doctors can be quite arrogant and limited intheri perspectives. I'm not saying you shoudl ignore them, but you should always take what they say with a grain of skepticism. They are humans, not gods. I mena certianly if they say you need CPR then yeah - you shoudl listen...

You may well want to consider renting a scooter for her. You probably will also have to taylor your trip a little. I will also second, that if any situation warrents the full services of the deluxe resorts - this is it, if affording a deluxe resort is at all in your budget. It could well be worht going to WD fora shorter time and staying ina nicer place.

Heck, I'd even suggest that concierge level is a great idea. There you will have extra staff to help you with anything you might need: last minute reservation changes, calling a taxi, getting extra pillows, getting the phone number for a pharmacy....

Here's the thing...when my sister went - it was last minute thing - she booked a room at ASMo, while we were staying at CR. Many of our dining reservations were at places onthe monrail loop. A scooter at a value resort means taking it on the BUS every time you want to leave - and to dine at ANY TS places - you will need to leave your resort. She ended up leaving the scooter with us, esp when we went to MK. She would meet us at the park entrance so that she didnt have todeal withtaking the scooter onthe bus. One adult stayed with her each night - but all would have been easier if she could have simply stayed at CR with us. (I actually offered to stay there for her, but that would have meant moving all her stuff, and our park tickets were on our room keys - so that would have been a problem.)

If you stay deluxe - you can dine TS several times at your HOME resort. If you stay at an Epcot deluxe: BC, YC, Bwk - you can boat or 'walk' to Epcot or HS - she can sit inthe scooter on the boat. EVen if she only wants the scooter part of teh time. At the every least, getting to/from both those parks is easy. If you stay at a monorial resort witha scooter, ten she can use teh scooter onthe monorail to get to MK, Poly, GF, and CR. It will also be monorail to Epcot - again - monorail is much easier with botha stroller and a scooter. Even if you don't use the scooter - getting around onthe monorail/boat is easier with a stroller because you don't have to fold it up and pick it up - the child can sit in the stroller on both. Busing witha stroller and toddler - to me - is much easier with at least two able bodied adults (i.e able to lift stroller, child, stuff.) WL are kind of 'deluxe light' resorts - but they are compact resorts so that would be aplus. WL offers a boat to MK. AKL is all bus - but if you are confined to the rsort iteslf the food court is decent and the resort has lots of fun activities all day long. The new AKL DVC has an amazing pool play area.

One more suggestion - might be to find a family member to join you. You don't say if you've already made all yoru dining reservations or not...but if you can have an extra set of hand to help - that's abig plus. Our family often goes in extended family groups and even with able bodied folks - one extra adult can be a big help. Too many makes getting around more challenging. Even a responsible older child could be a big help. Cousins?

OH INSISTING on a first floor room will also be a big help at Pop, IMO.

Pop is relatively good for busing, but the deluxes will offer another plus - It is much easier to get back for a break or nap at the deluxes. If you shoudl consider concierge - you will also have food just outside your room most of teh day. Some hours it is only snack foods, but if you do find yourself spending extra time in the room - or even your wife does - getting at least drinks is EASY. At any deluxe - room service is an option. pricey, but an option. I dont thinkPop offers any room service at all. The mods will only deliver pizza to the room.

Further, who says a trip to WDW has to be able being in the parks all day. The two year old will probably love the resort - even Pop. Just about every part of WDW has theming.

I'm not sure a car is needed. I don't see packing up a stroller and scooter to go everywhere as an 'easy' option. Plus, if you have a two year old and rent a car, you'll have to deal with a carseat. The rental car will have to have one with daily fee- or else you'll have to lug one form home. It just sounds more complicated than taking WDW transport to me. If you don't end up getting scooter, then acar might be one way to go...but I'd personally think putting the same money into a better resort would be money better spent.

Of the value resorts, Pop has the best transport. The mods are mostly very BIG, sprawling resorts. Of them only POFQ is compact. The rest have LAKES inthe middle -so they aren't great. If it's available - you MIGHT consider upgrading to preferred location room at Pop. Again though, the deluxes offer a significant upgrade in service and resort amenities.

 

[goofy67]

When we went last March with our band one of our parents was going through chemo. for the same thing. She didn't get a scooter the first day we were there and was extremely tired at the end of the day and couldn't do what she needed to do with her children. The next day she bit the bullet and got a scooter to use when she was just too tired to go and enjoyed her trip so much more! So please get your wife that scooter so she'll enjoy her trip with the 2 year old! If she feels like going go and stop and rest in the middle of the day and go back at night and have fun!

 

[Nadjalu]

Our prayers be with you.!

I can certainly understand the emotional uplift she will need with the surgery she will endure. Such a thing takes it toll on body and spirit.

Please discuss the use of a scooter, who cares what people think here or anywhere else. She will need her stamina. Using one will help to keep her in good spirits with being able to do stuff.
I will say not only will the surgery itself impeed stamina, the anesthesia does as well to. Most people don't realize what anesthetics do to the body and the after affects, so not pushing herself will be essential.

Again you are in our prayers!

 

[lisadam]

Since y'all are being so open, I'll tell you -- she is having a mastectomy, with reconstruction. The doctors have all said she should be able to go. So there won't be anything in her lower body that will be restricting her from walking -- really it's a matter of stamina.

I had a feeling (I don't know why) that that is what it was. Good luck to her - and to your family. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[disneydad123]

The previous posters - especially the one in the medical field - gave some good advice.

I had 3 surgeries in 2008 - the first in January - it was a mastectomy. I was up and doing "normal things" about 3.5 - 4 weeks after the surgery - including a very long commute to work on public transportation which included changing trains several times and over a mile of walking in the round trip.

I would not have enjoyed a Disney trip... in fact we waited until January of 2009 to go - much to our disappointment.

I think you two will have to weigh the psychological benefits of being at Disney (and happiness does help healing!) vs.the strain on her body.

Of course if you know there will be additional medical things coming up soon - and you think this is the window of opportunity that you need - then use the previous posters' advise and enjoy!

I agree with this!!! About 6 yrs. ago I had a reduction and I could not imagine if anyone bumped into me!!!! She will also notice movements and bouncing and potholes that didn't bother her or even notice before.

--Emily

 

[MouseMomx2]

Good luck to your wife as she goes through surgery and recovery!

I had a full, abdominal hysterectomy in the Spring. Recovery time is listed as 6-8 weeks. I was out of it for 3 days, fully up and about after 9 days (although somewhat limited) and by 3 1/2 weeks I was moving around almost as well as before I had the surgery. I did take it easy and there were days when I was more tired than others but I felt great. I listened to my body and didn't push myself.

I tell you this to illustrate that everyone is different. If your wife is one that needs a little longer to get over things then I'd postpone. If, however, she is one who gets back on her feet easily then I'd definitely take the trip. Just make sure to go slow, take breaks and let how she feels dictate your pace...oh and definitely rent a scooter for her.

She has told you that the trip is helping her get through everything so I think that says a lot. Mental health is as important (actually more so, IMO) than physical health when it comes to recovery.

Good luck to her!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I'm happy the doctors gave you a for your trip. Being at WDW is healing in itself.

Nothing wrong with taking occassional breaks in your day and a slow-paced holiday.

Hopefully, as we did, you will find a special magic there and create wonderful memories.

Have a great trip!