I just broke my foot!!!

First and foremost, dont panic. Depending on your fracture, you might be fairly well healed by that time. The most important thing to do at this point is remain diligent with your physical therapy, and be careful not to get hurt any further. I've not been to europe yet, but i've read somethings about doing segway or bus tours to cut down on the amount of walking you would have to do. Maybe thats an option? Just make sure you know how to get the medications you might need (narcotics, etc) into the country without problems.

What I really need is encouragement that I did not ruin my trip. But suggestions about wheelchair rental, public transportation tips, and/or what areas to avoid with limited mobility would be most appreciated!

Ryan,

I'll definitely look into it. I'm already checking out the big bus tours in london! I'm giving up on disguising my tourist status.

I dont think this will ruin your trip at all, it just requires an adjustment, and I think you are already making it! :) GL

Rebekah, In each city I would ask for the disabled guides at the information kiosks.

You have plenty of time (June is still a little bit aways) and I think you'll be able to maneuver much better by then.

Don't rush and practice with waht you have now.

Well, at least alcohol flows a little more freely in Europe. So hopefully pain won't be too much of an issue! But seriously, I hope you end up being able to see everything you had hoped and have a great time regardless....

Rebekah:

I have a hereditary condition affecting my left leg. It really flared up (4 days into an 8 day trip) when we were in Paris in March. So, I basically stayed at home one day, rested and kept my leg elevated with an ice pack while hubby was taking a cooking class. He showed up after the class with a .... cane !! Cost 10 euro and he got it at the pharmacy around the corner. We took it slow the rest of the trip but definitely didn't think it ruined anything. Just take your time, double (or triple) up on the cafe stops and take a taxi if you're really not doing well. YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!

Rebekah, First - talk with your Doctor! Ask him to be realistic with you about what you will be dealing with by June 20th. Will you be in a full cast with crutches? Will you be in a "walking boot" type cast (removable at night) or a support brace? The cane is a very good idea- just get a stable one- there are even ones with folding seats on them! You will want to be sure that you have access to ice or ice packs. Maybe purchase a few "instant" packs to take for emergencies. Take extra ziplock bags - McDonald's in London will give you a couple of cups of ice if you can't get it elsewhere. Are you staying at a hotel or b&b? At a B&B you could ask them to put a reusable gel pack in their fridge or freezer. At larger hotels or "chain" hotels you can usually get ice in the bar, resturant or from room service- especially if you explain why you need it! You may also want to request extra pillows to elevate your foot at night. Also- plan to rest! Try to plan stops- cafes, park benches, etc several times a day.

Oh, Rebekah, you have my sympathy. That is so disappointing. However, don't despair. I have a feeling you will discover something great about your trip that you would never have discovered if you hadn't broken your foot. Or maybe you'll meet people and strike up conversations that you would never have had if you weren't hobbling around on crutches. It might just enrich your trip in ways you wouldn't expect. Things often work out that way in life. I hope you have a great trip.

did you buy trip insurance?

Such a bummer, but, don't let it get you too down.. You still have some healing time a few weeks does make a difference.. I would ask doctor about flying and if pressure change will cause you any additional discomfort ..and how to aleviate that..

I broke my ankle day of arrival in Paris some yrs ago. Pharmacists (your first call in France) thought it was sprained. I stayed a week instead of the scheduled 3 & actually had one of my better Paris visits. Instead of rushing around seeing everything, I went slowly & experienced more. I spent a lot of time people watching while sitting at cafes. I picked what I really wanted to see & walked slowly to those places. I should have used taxis but didn't think of it. You may have to rethink your plans if they involved lots of rushing around, but you can still have a great trip.

I think the point Rose makes is great. Rethink your trip and imagine how you can reduce impact to your foot. Sitting in a cafe in Barcelona enjoying great Spanish wine and Tapas is by any measure better than sitting at home in Newark. Maybe a less strenuous trip, fewer walks, fewer climbs up towers, but at least you are mobile, you go for a bit, sit, relax, take advantage of buses, wheelchairs at museums, in a way, all of us should be so lucky to have something like this slow us down on a trip.

In London, the Tube map shows which stops have elevators and are considered to be "accessible." The problem is that gap between the train and the platform which would make accessibility "iffy." You can try it, with your level of mobility. I don't think I would try the Tube in a wheelchair.

The problem with the lifts at London tube stations is that most of the time they seem to be out of order so I would not count on them. I have experienced this in the past. One of my London friends who has a baby and a push chair says it is
absolutely maddening.

Don't forget to book
Special Assistance from your airline. You just call them and explain that you are on crutches and they will provide a wheelchair to get to the plane and from it upon arrival. This is particularly necessary at Heathrow where the distances are huge.

You can usually get wheelchairs at major museums but you will need someone to push you!

And have you checked with your physician that it is OK to fly? A friend broke her wrist last year and was forbidden by her doctor to fly.

Good luck with your trip.

I can understand why you want some encouragement. I'm glad everyone here is supportive with good suggestions. What does your doctor say about your trip? I have a feeling it will all turn out well.
If you are a younger person, you will heal very fast. If you are older and take very good care of yourself, you will heal quickly, I'm sure. Tour buses are a good idea. Even the Hop on/Hop off buses will be good. You will be very close to the stops at the major sights.
Think positively and look forward to your trip.

Was going to delete this post, but then Lisas( Austin) reply would not make sense. I basically accused her of condeming everyones posts, when in fact she did not mean that.. and I have pmed an apology to her , as well as leaving this up so others may understand her following post.

Thank you for all of the kind words! I'm starting to think more positively! I have to adapt but I can still have a great trip. I contacted the airlines I'll be flying and that helped a lot!! I'll still be non weight-bearing but I should at least be more comfortable with the crutches by then.

I used the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona and it turned out to be great when I was there and had a foot problem. It was more costly than using their metro system but got me right to all the sites I wanted to see and cut way back on the walking I had to do. I also got to see parts of the city that I would have missed by riding through the city on a bus rather than travelling underground from spot to spot.

Rebekah- Maybe your healing will progress more rapidly than your Dr. hopes. Another thing to think about- are you using a bag you can wear on your back? That would be much easier than a roll-aboard or hand carry bag. You will want to pack a light as possible!!! The suggesstion of using the hop on/off buses as transport is VERY GOOD. London has a 24 hour (and maybe a 48 hour?) ticket- purchase it around noon one day and you can use it for most of 2 days. They also usually include a Thames cruise- that would be restful for your foot, too. I still think you should consider getting a 3 or 4--prong cane with fold-out seat if at all possible, if you are off crutches. You might also want to contact your hotels and see if you can have a larger room on a lower floor.

Hi Rebekah, I can understand why you are worrying. The airlines will let you board first so you won't have to feel rush with other people behind you waiting. Last year I had to deal with something similar. In Nov., of 07 we booked plane tickets and hotels for New York City for a Christmas gift for our grandson. Then I ended up having to have very serious leg surgery the end of January (08) and had to be completely off of it for six weeks. The trip to NYC was in mid March. I just started putting a little weight on my leg a week before we went. I was on crutches the airlines was great they always had us board first (we didn't ask to). Just take it slow and make sure you rest during the day, find a cafe and sit for a while so you can elevate your foot. Have a great trip.

Hi Rebekah,
I broke my foot also the week before a trip (had to have a special paper for the airport to explain why I was radio active[or something like that] due to a bone scan the day before to confirm the break)

First don't panic. Second hopefully you have a walking boot. That really helped me. The crutches hurt my under arms and a cane worked out much better.

Don't underestimate the power of adrenaline. My doctor said it was safe for me to walk as long as I was comfortable. (and to elevate it when I could) Between the adrenaline and a few good pints here and there.. I was off and running eh…… hobbling. True my vacation wasn’t as I first envisioned.. but hey, you are on vacation and a great go with the flow attitude will go a long way. Once I mourned the fact that the vacation wouldn’t be what I first dreamed.. the rest was gravy. My motto after one VERY raining spring in Paris is “ a rainy day in Paris is better than no day in Paris.” And the same with a broken foot… You will be able to sit in Café’s and talk to locals more and have some great stories to tell…

Hang in there, keep positive and have fun…

Last year we went to Sweden - I was scheduled for a knee replacement but wanted to wait until after the trip; however, I could hardly walk. I'm not sure if you are traveling with someone? My husband was with me. I had contacted the Swedish Tourist Bureau, and they told me wheelchairs were typically not available there for rent. So, I bought a transporter chair to take along (inexpensive online). My husband pushed me all over Sweden. We had to go slower, but we had a wonderful time. There is typically a long way to walk in the airports and a wheelchair really helps there to keep you off your feet as much. The airline (United) was very accommodating. I hope you're pretty well healed by the time you go, but I do believe you will have a wonderful time either way.

Rebekah,
You might want to check out getting a knee scooter. My sister-in-law used one after bunion surgery and it worked so much better for her than crutches. I think she got a prescription from her doctor so that insurance would cover the rental. Hope you have a wonderful time!
Lisa

Hi Rebekah, Like some have said check with your Dr first and look into all the great ideas everyone has given you. My husband and I are headed to Europe on June 16 and he just broke 8 ribs and punctured his lung. His pulmonologist okay'd the flight but said to double up on aspirin and walk around on the flight as blood clots are more prevalent on those long flights. You should try and elevate you foot as often as possible along the flight also. I hope someone is going with you to tote your luggage. I went with my friend to Greece after she broke her leg and it didn't stop he from getting to see the acropolis. We were slower (still faster than some) and had more cafe stops. You can still enjoy your trip-half of it is attitude!

I was thinking about you yesterday while trying to fish my dogs ball out of a creek. What if I hurt my self and "spoil" my trip? I realized both of us (you and me, not the dog) would be fine. Hey, you're going to Europe after all and while this may slow you down, but it can't stop you. Don't rush yourself or let anyone rush you and by that I mean people where you will be traveling. I don't know if you are traveling alone or not but Carroll is right, this is a great ice breaker.

Rebekah- I just had a thought- talk to your airline and see if you can get a bulkhead seat. That will allow you to prop your foot on the bulkhead for periods of time to easily elevate it.

I don't want to change the topic, but I'll edit my first post, and will delete my second post.
Glad we're friends again pat!
I think it's amazing how terrible things happen right before a trip! I think I'll just live in a bubble until it's time for me to go on my October trip to London and Paris! Lol!
I hope you're feeling better Rebekah!