Getting his Wish, James is Going to WDW- GKTW March 16, 2010

[alaskanabbott]

Hi, I hope I'm doing this right! I guess I'll do a short intro to our family! I am Amber and my hubby is Mike. We have 6 super amazing children. Dakota is 17, Caelan is 15, the twins James and Macylea are 12, Eli is 10 and Mackenzie is 5. James and Macylea were born at 29 weeks and spent about 3 months in the NICU. James hard about 5 minutes of no oxygen, and ended up with CP. Macylea, fiesty as ever, ended up with glasses...James is a happy sweet 12 year old boy who up until a year ago loved to swim and ride his bike, and play with his brothers and sisters. His CP caused him to be clumsy and he is developmentally delayed, he operates at about an 8 year old level, but his reading/math abilities are at about 5 yr/old. Then last May James developed a severe stomache ache. After x-rays, doctors thought James had pnumonia and he was sent home. Over the next few weeks James' health deteriorated rapidly. Finally, after about 6 months, doctors found several masses in James' abdomen. James is now in a wheelchair, due to muscle wasting, and cannot eat food very easily. He has a feeding tube that gives him al his nutrician. Unfortunatly, the cause of James illness is still unknown, so we have no idea what his prognosis is. He has spent much of the last year in the hospital, and to make matters worse, we have to fly form Alaska to Seattle for these hospital stays. He was in the hospital for every holiday last year except Thanksgiving. Also, since he is still "undiagnosed" he endures many painfull tests, while doctors try to pinpoint why is is so ill. James was granted his wish to go to Disney World, and we all going in March. The other kids are delighted and I'm so glad that everyone gets to be special during this trip. With me being out of state so much with James, my oldest sons have had to pull a lot of weight since James got sick. Everything form cleaning, to shopping to cooking, and have done so without one complaint! My hubby has shown what real men do when faced with a crisis...he has been the most terriffic rock a woman could want. He has taken so much time off work to be home with the kids while I'm away, and never once has he complained about finances. One of the interesting things James has had happened during this illness is that his eyes no longer work in stereo, making it hard to see well. James LOVES books, and really loves stories about Egypt and Pirates. Every night, and I mean EVERY night, his brother Elijah reads to him until he falls asleep. Again, though it means that Elijah has to read what james wants, he has never once complained about this, he just one night started to read to him, and kept it going. Elijah even gets excited to hear a book James wants is at the library, and will check out books for his brother on his library day. James twin sister Macylea does so much for him I can't list it, just know that she is right hand girl, and whatever he needs, she does. Finally the baby of the family, Mackenzie, had to give up being a "baby". James requires so much care that she to grow up. Since James can't get up and paly now, she brings toys to him, and plays with him on the floor, or reads him books, or just snuggles him on the couch if he's needing some down time.
Now about the wish...James wanted to go to Disney World and he was approved. I'm nervous about traveling with a child who is in a wheelchair and has a feeding tube! Can you bring his formula on the plane? I have so many ????'s The kids are super excited about GKTW, and everything. I have been reading every thread before mine for tips.

[noahsketomom]

:welcome:

Hi Amber,
I'm new here too, but just wanted to welcome you! We are going in April, so I don't have that much information, but the folks here are great at sharing everything they know! Your family sounds amazing -- stepping up for the good of the whole in the midst of crisis. WOW.

We won't be bringing formula, but my son is on a very strict diet (ketogenic), and will be bringing special drinks and food. I've contacted the TSA and they assured me there won't be a problem as long as we have a doctor's note. I know other's have brought formula and will have much more to add.

In the meantime, WELCOME! Can't wait to hear all about your planning....and your trip!!! :banana:

[alaskanabbott]

HI Thanks for stopping by to say Hi! We just got our wish about ten days ago...so we are clueless! We are still waiting to hear the tickets are final...though GKTW is already reserved. Are you staying at GKTW?

[noahsketomom]

Are you staying at GKTW?

Yes. We haven't gotten our packet yet, but reading about the other trip reports has given me a lot of information! I'm going to try to paste the link to the beginning of the Wish trip thread here, but forgive me if it doesn't like right...I'm still new and get confused easily! :confused3

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356343

[Nettaboo]

I just wanted to stop by and say what a fantastic family you have!I teared up reading how awesome your kids are! You are a great mom and have obviously raised them well!!!

[alaskanabbott]

I'm going to try to add some pictures so you know the rather large cast!

This is me, Amber
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics744.jpg

My Husband Mike with our son Elijah
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics817.jpg

our oldest boys Dakota(17) and Caelan (15)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics620.jpg

James, the wish boy, this is when he first started getting sick, so he still has some perky-ness
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/img007.jpg

And this is last month (after loosing 25lbs)
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/James1.jpg

Here is James' Twin sister Macylea
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics574.jpg

and one of her where you can see her pretty face :) (with the youngest Mackenzie)
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics108.jpg

This is my youngest girl Mackenzie (5)
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics642.jpg


and this is at the Fourth of July parade last year..Macylea, Elijah, Mackenzie James and Me
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/familypics571.jpg


Well that's our family!

[alaskanabbott]

OK, I just spent an hour getting my signature right on here...maybe hubby is right about the "obsessed" part :)

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi, joining in on your pre trip report fun! Very lovely family. Can't wait to hear all about your planning!

[Momofwishkid]

Hi Amber, Im so glad you got the signature working. You have a beautiful and amazingly strong family. I live in Washington and we go to Seattle Children's pretty regularly. I would love to meet you if your ever back this way. I know a friendly face and a coffee break can mean alot during those hospital stays.

[alaskanabbott]

Hi, joining in on your pre trip report fun! Very lovely family. Can't wait to hear all about your planning!

Hi, welcome! I can't wait to start planning! I've been putting it off until we get the final say that the flight is booked, but so far so good for March 16th.

[alaskanabbott]

Hi Amber, Im so glad you got the signature working. You have a beautiful and amazingly strong family. I live in Washington and we go to Seattle Children's pretty regularly. I would love to meet you if your ever back this way. I know a friendly face and a coffee break can mean alot during those hospital stays.

hi, nice to meet you! We just got back from Seattle and we were suppose to be flying there today for another round of appointments but James needs a break right now, and nothing they were doing was important enough to go through that trip right now. We found a doctor in Anchorage who is putting in his g-tube, and doing some other "stuff", and we found a neurologist in town who is seeing him now. I'm sure we'll be down again before too long though, and I would LOVE to meet you! And coffee? The Tully's at Seattle Children's is almost worth the 7 hour trip:rotfl:

[Momofwishkid]

hi, nice to meet you! We just got back from Seattle and we were suppose to be flying there today for another round of appointments but James needs a break right now, and nothing they were doing was important enough to go through that trip right now. We found a doctor in Anchorage who is putting in his g-tube, and doing some other "stuff", and we found a neurologist in town who is seeing him now. I'm sure we'll be down again before too long though, and I would LOVE to meet you! And coffee? The Tully's at Seattle Children's is almost worth the 7 hour trip:rotfl:

You'll definetley have to let me know when your in town again. That Tully's is amazing. I dont know how much money I've spent there :lmao: and there strawberry bananna shakes for the kids are great too.

[alaskanabbott]

You'll definetley have to let me know when your in town again. That Tully's is amazing. I dont know how much money I've spent there :lmao: and there strawberry bananna shakes for the kids are great too.

The only thing James would drink by mouth is the white chocolate carmel hot coco from Tully's, so I bought him one every day...then ended up drinking what he couldn't, which is why I come back 5lbs bigger every trip! (heaven knows it's not the hospital food, since it's un-edible)

[Momofwishkid]

The only thing James would drink by mouth is the white chocolate carmel hot coco from Tully's, so I bought him one every day...then ended up drinking what he couldn't, which is why I come back 5lbs bigger every trip! (heaven knows it's not the hospital food, since it's un-edible)

:rotfl: A good tip for the next time your there is if your up go to the cafeteria between 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning. That's when the head chef comes in and he'll make anything you want right there and you get it at half price. He makes really good omlets. Oh the things you learn when you spend so much time inpatient. :goodvibes

[alaskanabbott]

We just got our ticket confirmation...so now we know when we travel, hurray!
Looks like we're leaving out of Anchorage at 1:30am on March 15 and we get to Orlando at 5:30pm. We had thought the tickets would be from our town, but instead it looks like we are going to drive to Anch, about a 3 hour drive, whew...so with the 2 hours you need to check in early, looks like we will start out for WDW at around 5pm on March 14th, making our total travel time 24hours. You know what? WHO CARES...we're going to Disney World!!!!
AND.....we fly back March 22, leaving at 8:30am.

[alaskanabbott]

:rotfl: A good tip for the next time your there is if your up go to the cafeteria between 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning. That's when the head chef comes in and he'll make anything you want right there and you get it at half price. He makes really good omlets. Oh the things you learn when you spend so much time inpatient. :goodvibes

Are you kidding me! I have starved myself silly there, ugh, if only I'd known! a few days after X-mas I took the bus to the mall (big one with JC Penny's) and got California Pizza. I ordered a pizza, some rolls, a salad, all kinds of food to go...then ate it for the next week. ( I also bought a box of Sees Candy and ate that TOO!)
We shared a room with one family that we got pretty close to. One night, it had been a particularly bad one, she went for a walk and came back with a brown bag of wine!!! She proceeded to sneek sips all night! Before James got sick I would have been so much more judgemental, now I know how crazy life is with a sick kid.

[thatkid]

congrats on your son getting his wish!!
I don't know if anyone answered your formula question :confused3
but I'm also tube fed and had no problem bringing mine, other than the fact that it got left in toronto because it was being checked over by security :scared1:
Just make sure they know its medical, and you should be okay. We were able to get mine tracked down and shipped to GKTW, your airport greeter in orlando can help with any issues you have when you get there, but hopefully everything is good
:goodvibes

[alaskanabbott]

congrats on your son getting his wish!!
I don't know if anyone answered your formula question :confused3
but I'm also tube fed and had no problem bringing mine, other than the fact that it got left in toronto because it was being checked over by security :scared1:
Just make sure they know its medical, and you should be okay. We were able to get mine tracked down and shipped to GKTW, your airport greeter in orlando can help with any issues you have when you get there, but hopefully everything is good
:goodvibes

hi thanks for your advice. Did you need a note from the doctor about the formula?
Also, did you send down your formula for the week, or have it shipped?

[Momofwishkid]

Are you kidding me! I have starved myself silly there, ugh, if only I'd known! a few days after X-mas I took the bus to the mall (big one with JC Penny's) and got California Pizza. I ordered a pizza, some rolls, a salad, all kinds of food to go...then ate it for the next week. ( I also bought a box of Sees Candy and ate that TOO!)
We shared a room with one family that we got pretty close to. One night, it had been a particularly bad one, she went for a walk and came back with a brown bag of wine!!! She proceeded to sneek sips all night! Before James got sick I would have been so much more judgemental, now I know how crazy life is with a sick kid.

So funny! :lmao:
There are also several places that will deliver to the hospital. Pizza,chinese and such. Just ask the nurses for the menu or all the front desks have it. I've only done it once as it gets expesive living in the hospital.

[thatkid]

hi thanks for your advice. Did you need a note from the doctor about the formula?
Also, did you send down your formula for the week, or have it shipped?


I brought all of my weeks formula on the plane, in a suitcase through checked luggage.
It was 50 cans, so it was easier (and cheaper) to bring it on the plane.
Some airlines don't charge for medical supplies. Westjet didn't, which is who we flied with.
I didn't need a doctors note, but my pump actually set of the security alarms, so they did a better search of my stuff, so just make sure if he gets upset in situations like that that you either put his pump in checked luggage, or bring a doctors note with you so its not too embarassing for him. I don't remember how old he is, but my tube is embarassing for me (i'm 18) so i try to keep it hidden and them looking at all my tubing was kinda insane, haha.
so, after my rambling, :laughing: it would probably be a good idea to bring a note and tell security he has tubing, etc. so there's not too much of an issue.

[yinyanggirls]

Amber, I'm so excited you have dates and flights! Woohoo!:cool1:
I have flown many times with my daughter who uses a wheelchair. I would recommend getting there a few minutes earlier than you would normally, because they will have to inspect it at security. Once you get through there, you will be able to board early if you like, and then gate check the chair (leave it at the door of the airplane and the crew will stow it underneath, then bring it back up to you when you land). If he can't walk at all, or you/your hubby can't carry him, they have an aisle chair that he can sit on to get to his seat. Let them know if you need this when you check in. When you land, it will often take them a few minutes to get the chair up to the doorway, so you might want to wait in your seats until everyone is off the plane and the chair is there for sure. (If you have a small window of time to transfer to another flight, make sure you talk to the flight crew about that before you land).

I commented about not having a diagnosis on the Wish trip thread, but having read your intro to your family I have to say a little more. For us, having no diagnosis didn't change anything about our daughter. She has grown stronger and made progress through the years. The unknown is still a little scary but she is doing well. Seeing your son develop new health concerns, lose weight and strength etc, is a totally different ball game and I can see why not having a diagnosis is such a challenge for you guys. I hope they can get to the root of it all. :hug:

It was great to "meet" your family. You have beautiful kids!

[alaskanabbott]

I commented about not having a diagnosis on the Wish trip thread, but having read your intro to your family I have to say a little more. For us, having no diagnosis didn't change anything about our daughter. She has grown stronger and made progress through the years. The unknown is still a little scary but she is doing well. Seeing your son develop new health concerns, lose weight and strength etc, is a totally different ball game and I can see why not having a diagnosis is such a challenge for you guys. I hope they can get to the root of it all. :hug:

It was great to "meet" your family. You have beautiful kids!

Hi Melissa,
it IS a challange dealing with the unknown, but realy, which one of us "knows"? I read on a thread here (can't remember which) about the little boy who past away last week. I went to his caring bridge and it sounded so much like James, and I thought about how you can KNOW your child is ill, yet still be surprised by their illness. I'm not sure if that makes sense. It does in My head, lol!
Thanks for the tips on travel, exactly what I need right now!

[pipersmom]

Hi Amber, I just finished reading and getting caught up :) You have such a great attitude, I love seeing that! We all think that other special needs parents are all like us, but as Piper's team sometimes reminds me, there are parents who don't do everything they should, or are way pessimistic, so "Go, You!!" As far as meds go, our chapter told us to have a list of all Piper's meds made up by her Dr, so there won't be any complications with the airport. That being said, we have flown before, without a Dr's list of her meds, and never had an issue. So we're taking a list this time, I'll be interested to see if it makes any difference. Anyway, looking forward to reading more!

[alaskanabbott]

Hi Amber, I just finished reading and getting caught up :) You have such a great attitude, I love seeing that! We all think that other special needs parents are all like us, but as Piper's team sometimes reminds me, there are parents who don't do everything they should, or are way pessimistic, so "Go, You!!" As far as meds go, our chapter told us to have a list of all Piper's meds made up by her Dr, so there won't be any complications with the airport. That being said, we have flown before, without a Dr's list of her meds, and never had an issue. So we're taking a list this time, I'll be interested to see if it makes any difference. Anyway, looking forward to reading more!


Hi,
Well we kind of have to have a good attitude, b/c what's the alternitive? Last month we saw a teacher of James' who hasn't seen him since he got sick...and even I admit he looks AWFUL. She took one look at him and started crying! So I asked her if she needed a hug....and as I'm hugging her, reassuring her that my son is going to be ok, I realised just how nutty life is :). Funny thing is, I had to do that again last week at church with someone else, hugged her while she cried about my son, and told her I'm sure he's going to be just fine. Then I had someone tell me how "brave" I am. That one really made me laugh b/c it's not bravery, it's SHOCK! I'm still in shock about him being sick. Brave nothing, if I could make him unsick I'd do it! So after that rant..."GO US" "GO OUR KIDS" and God grant me enough "shock" to get through the res of it!

[alaskanabbott]

We found out some more news on our trip today. We are going to rent a car and drive to Anchorage on the 14th. Once we get to Anch, the board for our Wish Org. is going to take the family out to dinner, and then we will head to the airport. Our wish org. is sending us up a day early! But since we are only checked into GKTW from March16-22, GKTW isn't sure they will have our room when we get in on the 15th...in that case the wish org. is going to put us up in a close-by hotel for the night. They said we will go directly from the airport to GKTW...get checked in, then if the room isn't ready, we will go back to the hotel. This is the BEST senerio I could have hoped for. We get in to Orlando at 5:30pm, and I figure won't be at GKTW until about 6:30pm (or later, I don't know??) and since we'll have been traveling almost 24 hours we will want some rest! Then we can be up and at them first thing the next morning. Hurray!
Now anyone have any good tips for the two seperate 3 hour layovers we have?

[alaskanabbott]

I went to the fabric shop today and got a pattern (Simplicity 2822) for making wheelchair bags. There are a couple different designs, and one for the back and one for the side. I bought some Pirates of the Carribean fabric, and am going to attempt to make these bags before we leave. There was tons of fun Disney fabric to pick from, but the whole cost, with the pattern, fabric and velco was under $20. That will make one back bag and one side bag. Just wanted to share this in case anyone wants to copy :)
BTW, I have not sewn for about ten years, and even then it wasn't pretty!

[yinyanggirls]

I went to the fabric shop today and got a pattern (Simplicity 2822) for making wheelchair bags. There are a couple different designs, and one for the back and one for the side. I bought some Pirates of the Carribean fabric, and am going to attempt to make these bags before we leave. There was tons of fun Disney fabric to pick from, but the whole cost, with the pattern, fabric and velco was under $20. That will make one back bag and one side bag. Just wanted to share this in case anyone wants to copy :)
BTW, I have not sewn for about ten years, and even then it wasn't pretty!

Amber, I admire you for using your long-lost sewing skills for his wheelchair bags. I don't know if the handles are the same width, but I have a black and purple bag that came with Phoebe's chair that we've never used. If you're interested, tell me the measurements of his chair back and handles and I'd be nappy to send it to you. Just in case you run out of time to make both from scratch.

[alaskanabbott]

Amber, I admire you for using your long-lost sewing skills for his wheelchair bags. I don't know if the handles are the same width, but I have a black and purple bag that came with Phoebe's chair that we've never used. If you're interested, tell me the measurements of his chair back and handles and I'd be nappy to send it to you. Just in case you run out of time to make both from scratch.


AWW thanks! I wil measure today...We usually just use a back pack, but for the trip I wanted to do something special. His PT ordered a new chair this week, and I'm really hoping it's here before we leave.

[pacrosby]

HI Amber................

Just getting caught up here and saw your thread. Welcome! We had our Wish trip for my son Matty in December and while I spend most of my time now fretting over my TR (which is stalled at the moment LOL) I do like to follow along with everyone else. I had soooo much fun planning in November and have become Disney obsessed with two more trips planned for this year. You will learn so much here. Everyone is great.

I must say you have quite the handsome/beautiful family :)

Kudos for such a great attitude..............but I agree, what's the alternative? I like to say I live in a 'healthy state of denial'. IDK, keeps me going :confused3

Anyway, just wanted to say hi. I look forward to following along:)

[alaskanabbott]

Kudos for such a great attitude..............but I agree, what's the alternative? I like to say I live in a 'healthy state of denial'. IDK, keeps me going :confused3

I LOVE it " A healthy state of denial"...I may borrow that from you :)
Thanks for following James PTR. I know I need to actually do some planning now that we have our dates, I'm just feeling overwhelmed at where to start.
And thanks for the compliment on my kids..they are a good-looking bunch, and so good too.
I hope we don't get hooked on DisneyWorld, b/c we won't be able to do another trip like this. Honestly, when this started, we though James was going to ask for a laptop:rotfl:

[alaskanabbott]

Here's a question...Mackenzie is 5 1/2, she is pretty good at walking, but I think this is going to be a lot of walking to expect from her. What are other parents of the 4-6 year old group doing? Can they still fit in those umbrella stollers?

[alaskanabbott]

So today I have two kids home sick. It's NOT H1N1. I know b/c we all got the flu shot and the H1N1 vacs this year. Now I'm thinking, with two out of 6 sick, and me not feeling so great, what a waste of time and money those darn shots were!
My youngest daughter was reffered to an ENT this week because of "speech problems". We just got back from that and the Dr wants her to have her tonsills and adnoids removed, and tubes put in her ears. AHHHH for the days when that would have upset me. Now I'm like "Yeah, I'll jump right on that....eventually" Thank goodness we had a good doc who was very okay with us waiting until late summer to have that done. Seriously, I have put the kids on notice, no more illness or mommy's going for a long drive...a LONG LONG drive.
Though Mackenzie did make me laugh today at the Dr office. We were talking about Jonah and the whale and how Jonah tried to hide from God, but God is everywhere and can see you all the time and she said "Soooo God is like Santa...." and I'm thinking maybe I need to be reading the Bible to her a little more...when she finishes with "...and can see me pick my butt" which I guess is the worst sin she's commited. Yeah, I decide...more Bible time. :littleangel:

[Mtopher4]

:rotfl: How funny.. Sounds like something my daughter would say. She has bible twice a week at PreK and comes up with the funniest stuff.

:hug: I see your trip is coming up fast. Your better than me.. I would be screaming at the Dr. for a diagnosis.. I think I posted somewhere I wouldn't handle not knowing well :(

Yeah for your Trip.. Can't wait to hear ALL the details.

[Mtopher4]

Just hadto comment.. I have gained about 50 pounds since Ash was born. Our Hospital in Dallas has Awesome food and I'm a stress eater ;( Nothing else to do in the hospital right?

[alaskanabbott]

******** src="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=alaskanabbott%40yahoo.com&ctz=America/Anchorage" style="border: 0" width="800" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Our tentitive schedule

[alaskanabbott]

******** src="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=alaskanabbott%40yahoo.com&ctz=America/Anchorage" style="border: 0" width="800" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Our tentitive schedule

Oh too bad, I thought it would embed :(

[alaskanabbott]

[QUOTE=Mtopher4;35491245
:hug: I would be screaming at the Dr. for a diagnosis.. I think I posted somewhere I wouldn't handle not knowing well :(

Yeah for your Trip.. Can't wait to hear ALL the details.[/QUOTE]

Oh we pester, but as of right now my child is a SWAN..syndrom with a name...we are suppose to be going to Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia when we get back, but after months at Seattle, I don't think Philly is going to come up with anything new. Still, we're going to hope, or else that's just a very expensive trip for more un-answers.

I'm an emotional eater too. I'm doing Weight Watchers right now trying to drop 10lbs for the trip, but I make too many poor food choices, ie cookies, muffins, cakes etc for the kids (yeah, right, kids!) and it's pretty unlikely I'm going to loose weight. Even if I do, I'm planning on eating my way through the trip, so I'll just regain..I was the first one to say "Whoot Whoot... Sundaes for Breakfast!"
You know what? Kids like a mom with some roundness and softness...who wants to cuddle a skinny mom:laughing:!

[Momofwishkid]

Here's a question...Mackenzie is 5 1/2, she is pretty good at walking, but I think this is going to be a lot of walking to expect from her. What are other parents of the 4-6 year old group doing? Can they still fit in those umbrella stollers?

Just wanted to say you will get a free rental stroller at the parks. I hear there not very comfy though, dont recline but it may be an option. Or you can rent a really nice one from Orlando stroller rental and they have the special needs stroller that fits up to 100lbs. I believe it is.

So today I have two kids home sick. It's NOT H1N1. I know b/c we all got the flu shot and the H1N1 vacs this year. Now I'm thinking, with two out of 6 sick, and me not feeling so great, what a waste of time and money those darn shots were!
My youngest daughter was reffered to an ENT this week because of "speech problems". We just got back from that and the Dr wants her to have her tonsills and adnoids removed, and tubes put in her ears. AHHHH for the days when that would have upset me. Now I'm like "Yeah, I'll jump right on that....eventually" Thank goodness we had a good doc who was very okay with us waiting until late summer to have that done. Seriously, I have put the kids on notice, no more illness or mommy's going for a long drive...a LONG LONG drive.
Though Mackenzie did make me laugh today at the Dr office. We were talking about Jonah and the whale and how Jonah tried to hide from God, but God is everywhere and can see you all the time and she said "Soooo God is like Santa...." and I'm thinking maybe I need to be reading the Bible to her a little more...when she finishes with "...and can see me pick my butt" which I guess is the worst sin she's commited. Yeah, I decide...more Bible time. :littleangel:

Oh I sorry the kids are sick.Hope their feeling better soon and you dont end up with it. Gavin had the whole tonsils, adnoids and tubes when he was younger and it did help with his speech and sleeping patterns. I so understand the wanting to put it off though. What a cutie Mackenzie is. Kids say the darndest things. :rotfl:

[alaskanabbott]

Just wanted to say you will get a free rental stroller at the parks. I hear there not very comfy though, dont recline but it may be an option. Or you can rent a really nice one from Orlando stroller rental and they have the special needs stroller that fits up to 100lbs. I believe it is.
Will GKTW direct us to them or do we need to figure that out before we leave?

[KirstenB]

OP, You guys are all gorgeous!!! I love the way your other kids all pitch in, great family!

[pacrosby]

I know lots of people complain about the strollers in the parks but my kids don't have any trouble with them..............and even fall asleep!

IMO they also work well for holding stuff!! Even if you only have one child in a stroller you can get a double with your voucher from GKTW (they'll just ask if you need a single or double..............there are plenty so no need to think you'll be taking from someone else) and it's nice to have a place to put bags, souvenirs etc.

If you want to rent from the other company you will need to arrange for . You can look up their website.............just google it:)

I can see where, coming from Alaska, you will not be making lots of trips to WDW after this. I can only imagine what the airfare is! Our Spring trip was already in place when the Wish trip came to be. Our December one will be an 'anniversary Wish trip"..................but we'll be taking the autotrain:laughing:

[pnutallergymom]

My kids love the strollers in the park too!! Brigge will have her wheelchair, and we'll still get a double for the older kids. The 3 of them will squeeze in!! Except, I know Brigitte is going to want to ride in that!! :) So, one of the big kids will end up in her chair!

Your little one will definitely need it. My kids nap in it too, just like Pamelas!!

[alaskanabbott]

My kids love the strollers in the park too!! Brigge will have her wheelchair, and we'll still get a double for the older kids. The 3 of them will squeeze in!! Except, I know Brigitte is going to want to ride in that!! :) So, one of the big kids will end up in her chair!

Your little one will definitely need it. My kids nap in it too, just like Pamelas!!

thanks guys, I am deff. going to get the stroller!

[alaskanabbott]

Well last night during dinner the Alaska Troopers showed up at our house. Wanting to have some fun for a change, they are helping with James' wish. This is double cool, because our oldest boy Dakota is planning on becoming a Trooper and, even though he is only a Junior in HS, has just started his first college course in Criminal Justice. So the Troopers knock and the the kids are beside themselves. James knew they were coming and asked to have his NG tube removed for it. This is one of those heart wrenching times. James is almost 13, he doesn't want to look sick for these Hero's. So he bravely has us remove the tube. If you have ever done the NG tube you know it's not the taking out, it's the putting in...but James is no dummy, he knows once it's out, it's gotta go back :( So we agree to an NG change. He was so happy being tubeless I think he was hoping they'd be a little late :goodvibes, but nope, they are TROOPERS and arrive on time, with a bag full of goodies for James and his sibs. Dakota is impressed (well as impressed as 17 yr olds get) and actually talks a little, WOW, it's a miracle. So then James asks for a picture and decides he wants one of him STANDING! Ok, well James can walk a bit, but he is usually too weak to do much, and standing isn't very comfortable. So he waits for me to get in position he gets up, drops his blanket to his feet and has me take a picture. Then gets his blankie and lays down again. But at least in his mind, in that picture, he doesn't "Seem" sick.
Here it is:
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/troopers.jpg
What amazing gentlemen they were. The bag of goodies kept James happy all night, and he slept with the badge.

Other good news? James is getting his perm. feeding tube on the 26th...which means last night was the LAST NG change ever:yay:

One the planning front, so far everything is good EXCEPT we still don't know how we are getting to the airport. It's a three hour drive to Anchorage, and our car only holds 7, not all 8 of us. I called about a rental and they want a $200 drop off fee! :lmao: uh, NO....so then I thought, ok, maybe we can get a Limo, and just suck it up and pay..that's $450....there, which means another $450 back so no sucking it up...I'm stll not sure what we're going to do, but I'm tired of dealing with it today.

[pacrosby]

Awwwww, I'm welling up here. What a 'trooper' your boy is (no pun intended).

That is a picture to treasure.

Matty had an ng tube very briefly as an infant.............I was against it from the start and ended up pulling it after 48 hours. I can't imagine having to deal with it day in and day out. So glad to hear he'll be getting something more permanent and won't have to deal with that.

YIKES on the cost to get to the airport!!!! MAW isn't helping you with that? It's odd how different they all can be with regards to that especially given the fact that it could almost qualify as a 'hardship'.................you all getting there. Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Sorry. I'm no help :rotfl:

[Momofwishkid]

How cool the Troopers want to be apart of James trip. :goodvibes I'm sure MAW will have something set up for the ride to the airport. I would call and inquire before you worry to much.

[alaskanabbott]

[QUOTE=pacrosby;35506105 Sorry. I'm no help :rotfl:[/QUOTE]

I'm not so sure there is much help...I'm thinking we are going to rent a 15 passenger van, and have me dad drive us up, then he'll have to turn around and drive back, :confused: My dad is such a sweetie he will do it without one complaint, but still I'll feel kinda bad. The Wish people offered to pay for the parking at the lot for our car for the week, and that's all. I'm still working on it though!

[yinyanggirls]

How cool that the Troopers stopped by for a special visit! I love the story of the very first "WISH". It was a boy in Phoenix who wanted to be a cop when he grew up but he was probably not going to grow up, so they made him an honorary officer. So cool how it all began. :goodvibes

I don't know what conversation you've already had, but if you are just assuming they won't pay for transport, you could come out and ask them in a nice way such as, "I was just wondering if I need to start making arrangements for the trip to Anchorage or if you guys had something in mind for that?". Doesn't sound like you are accusing or mad, but also let's them keep a surprise if they happen to have one for you.

[alaskanabbott]

I don't know what conversation you've already had,.
I talked to the co-ordinator a few days ago and he said they would pay for the parking of our car at the airport...and they are taking us out to dinner that night. I'm still looking into another way, I'm just tired tonight, and don't feel like trying :)

[yinyanggirls]

I understand. I have several questions I haven't asked yet, because I'm hoping it will just all work out and I don't want to annoy them. They are probably assuming your personal vehicle holds all 8 of you though....

[alaskanabbott]

I understand. I have several questions I haven't asked yet, because I'm hoping it will just all work out and I don't want to annoy them. They are probably assuming your personal vehicle holds all 8 of you though....

I know, isn't it crazy!? I just am so thankfull for everything, I feel like, how dare I ask for one more thing? Everytime they call about something else I cry, I'm sure they think I'm a nut case.
I'm so emotional lately I even hate when people hug me...it's like opening the water gate, wahhhhhh, there I go...:rotfl:honestly, I think MAW could have offered us dinner at Taco Bell and I'd cry.

[yinyanggirls]

honestly, I think MAW could have offered us dinner at Taco Bell and I'd cry.


:rotfl:
I know what you mean.


I meant to comment on your question about driving, so I guess I'll just add it here. I can imagine your apprehension about driving but I would give it a try. It would be so nice to have the option to do what you want WHEN you want. It's nice of GKTW to offer to drive you but I'm sure they won't be sitting and waiting by a van in case you want to go anywhere. Why not give it a try and if you just feel totally overwhelmed you could always leave it in the driveway or offer to return it early. I think you'll be okay if you just avoid traffic hour (or on the way to the parks, I guess it would be around opening?) I would get some more opinions on the main threads about timing and then just see if you can tweak your travel times so that they are during less hectic hours. I have a feeling you'll adapt, or the rather the other drivers around you will adapt. ;)

[thatkid]

super cool picture! I know all too well about the NG tubes. I also had an NJ tube which took 45 minutes to put in once, ughh. The last nose tube change is AWESOME, lol. I didn't care how sick i looked, I wouldn't have changed that unless I had too, haha. He's much tougher than me. ;)

[Wee Annie]

Amber,

just wanted to say hi! Your family seems so awesome -- great kids (must be some good parenting). We are going on my daughter's wish trip to GKTW on 4/17, so looking forward to reading about your plans and trip! I haven't done much planning (read: almost none yet), but mean to, uh, soon....

I can relate to the NG tube stuff -- my daughter (3) had one in for two months (was on a slow, continuous feed via pump). Not fun, especially when it had to be changed or came out. But a lifesaver, nonetheless. We were oh-so-happy when she got her g-tube placed -- you (and James) will LOVE the convenience of a more permanent feeding tube!

On the driving front, if you think either you or your husband can stomach it at all, I might really try to go for the rental, if I were you. If not, you will be at the mercy of GKTW's shuttle schedule. Just think of how convenient it would be to be able to come and go when you pleased (and make a run to Walmart). Ironically, I can understand your hesitancy to drive. I say ironically, because I grew up in a completely opposite location -- New York City. But because I grew up in NYC and lived there for years as an adult, I NEVER had to drive (used subways, etc, almost exclusively). So when I first started driving again(at age 30+), I was terrified. And am still not quite as comfortable as those who grew up doing it as second nature. But I would bite the bullet and drive in Florida just to have the convenience of coming and going when we need to. Just food for thought.

Well, this is a long post, but I pretty much just wanted to say hi and welcome. I'm not on the boards as much as a lot of others, because I still haven't figured out how to balance life with a medical child and everything else (read: my life is chaos and spinning completely out of control!). But I hope to check in from time to time and see how your planning is going.

Good luck planning!

[pipersmom]

Hey Amber!
Okay, this might sound crazy, but I would [B]e-mail[B]your chapter and explain the whole car situation, that you appreciate the offer to pay for parking, but that your car won't hold your whole family and you were wondering if anything else could be worked out as far as transport. I'm the same way that you are as far as hating asking a million questions, but I find it much easier to e-mail..LOL. Just a thought!

As far as the use of a rental car in FL..the drives are relatively short, and they insure them for a reason. I seriously think you all would be fine, but it's not something to stress over.

So sorry to hear the kiddos are sick! We'll be keeping you all in our thoughts that it passes quickly.

[alaskanabbott]

I didn't care how sick i looked, I wouldn't have changed that unless I had too, haha. He's much tougher than me. ;)

Alyssa~Yeah, he was regretting the decision once we had to replace it, but it was a quick change, and the last one, hurray!


We are going on my daughter's wish trip to GKTW on 4/17, so looking forward to reading about your plans and trip! I haven't done much planning (read: almost none yet), but mean to, uh, soon....

Hi Ann, congrats on your trip. I'm not doing well with the planning yet either. I went onto GKTW website last night and that helped a little. James is almost 13 and I think the only GKTW entertainment he is interested in in Christmas (hey even teenagers LOVE Christmas)

I can relate to the NG tube stuff -- my daughter had one in for two months (was on a slow, continuous feed via pump). Not fun, especially when it had to be changed or came out. But a lifesaver, nonetheless. We were oh-so-happy when she got her g-tube placed -- you (and James) will LOVE the convenience of a more permanent feeding tube!
James gets his g-tube next Friday...we have to go to Anchorage and I guess he'll have to spend two nights in the hospital, but he usually is in for at least two weeks, so two nights is nothing! I'm a little nervous about the g-tube, we're "use" to the NG, and I don't know th equirks of the g-tube. James is also on a slow continuos feed, he has low volume tolerance, and to give him all his cals it takes about 20 hours. Can I ask two questions? 1. Do you think he'll be feeling pretty yuck from the surgery still after two weeks? 2. Was your daughter able to move feeds faster with the g-tube?


Hey Amber!
Okay, this might sound crazy, but I would [B]e-mail[B]your chapter and explain the whole car situation, that you appreciate the offer to pay for parking, but that your car won't hold your whole family and you were wondering if anything else could be worked out as far as transport. I'm the same way that you are as far as hating asking a million questions, but I find it much easier to e-mail..

Hi Amanda~I think you're right, I'm just going to email them and let them know...I did talk to my dad today and he said he will drive up one of the kids and all the suitcases, then drop us off and drive home. That's a seven hour round trip for him, but he is o.k with it.

[snowwhitesmom]

What a beautiful family you have! Thanks for sharing!
I only have two tidbits to offer -
1. You WILL need a stroller for your little one at WDW - there were times when my 12 year old looked like she wanted to kick her two year old cousin out of hers!
2. As far as the tonsils and adenoids, I know that compared with what you deal with every day, it probably seems minor, I just wanted to tell you that noone warned me that the recovery time can be as much as two weeks - I thought that if you weren't aware of that you may want to know - I wish I had when my youngest had hers out.
Anyway - have fun on your trip - I am excited for you all!

[alaskanabbott]

Ok so I started planning...this is very tentative and I will add to it, but I think it's a start.


Monday March 15

1:30am Leave for Orlando
5:30am arrive Seattle
8:25 leave Seattle
5:30pm Arrive Orlando
6:30 Get to GKTW
7:45pm Orientation at GKTW
9:30pm Mayor Tuck in?

Tuesday March 16
7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am Animal Kingdom till close (6pm)
6:30pm back at GKTW for dinner
7:30 play at GKTW

Wednesday March 17

7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am Epcot all day (9pm)
lunch-at Epcot ?? Not sure where yet
dinner-pizza

Thursday March 18

7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am Sea Wolrd until close (7pm)
7:30pm Christmas
9:30


Friday March 19

7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am WDW until close (11 pm)
lunch-WDW ?? I'm thinking of a charactor meal, any ideas for a teen boy?
dinner-WDW?? probably burgers or pizza



Saturday March 20

7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am Universal till close
lunch- US
dinner-US



Sunday March 21(last full day)
7am Wake-up
8am Breakfast at GKTW
9am Beach day? the kids really want to go see the beach
6pm Back to GKTW for our last night

Monday March 22
leave Orlando 8am

[alaskanabbott]

What a beautiful family you have! Thanks for sharing!
I only have two tidbits to offer -
1. You WILL need a stroller for your little one at WDW - there were times when my 12 year old looked like she wanted to kick her two year old cousin out of hers!
2. As far as the tonsils and adenoids, I know that compared with what you deal with every day, it probably seems minor, I just wanted to tell you that noone warned me that the recovery time can be as much as two weeks - I thought that if you weren't aware of that you may want to know - I wish I had when my youngest had hers out.


Someone talked about a double stroller rental at WDW, and I think we are going to do that. I have a 10 yr old boy who can be very gloomy when he's forced to walk much, and am hoping he can squeeze in, otherwise, he's been known to hitch a ride with his brother!
As far as the adnoids/tonsils...I think we're going to do it the begining of August, then she'll have a few weeks to recover before school starts.

[alaskanabbott]

Tonight has been a rough night for James. He wasn't able to go to school yesterday, (he only goes half days now) and he is in a lot of pain tonight. We tried all the pain meds, but nothing is working. I brought James the laptop to look at pictures of GKTW and WDW to get his mind off the pain. He may post on here tonight of he feels up to it.

[Wee Annie]

[QUOTE=alaskanabbott;35521744]
James gets his g-tube next Friday...we have to go to Anchorage and I guess he'll have to spend two nights in the hospital, but he usually is in for at least two weeks, so two nights is nothing! I'm a little nervous about the g-tube, we're "use" to the NG, and I don't know th equirks of the g-tube. James is also on a slow continuos feed, he has low volume tolerance, and to give him all his cals it takes about 20 hours. Can I ask two questions? 1. Do you think he'll be feeling pretty yuck from the surgery still after two weeks? 2. Was your daughter able to move feeds faster with the g-tube?

Amber,

I was nervous about the g-tube -- it's hard to change to something when you've all gotten used to something else. But, truly, once you all get used to it, James will be so much more comfortable without a tube in his nose going down his throat! That sensation will be gone, and also, fairly importantly to him, I would think, is the fact that his tube will be much more concealed. As for healing from surgery, it was truly nothing for my daughter. She was in the hospital overnight for observation, as she had a really weak immune system when this was done (it's still not "normal"), and she really didn't have any problems with it. I think she just so appreciated getting the tube out of her nose (and she was only 2 at the time)! I do know that, for the first couple of months while the site healed, she had to have a length of tubing attached at all times, which can be a pain. After two months they were able to change it to a small "button" where we just attach a tube for feeds or meds when needed -- much easier. But even with that length of tubing attached in the beginning it was still, once we got used to it, so much better than the NG tube.

As for the speed of feeds, that took a while for my daughter. I don't think the change in feeding mechanisms really enabled us to speed up her feeds. Her GI system was such a mess at the time, she could only tolerate 10 cc an hour of an elemental feed at times (and sometimes none, just tpn). I'm hoping and praying for the best for James, but be prepared that you may have to just run his feeds at the same, slow pace for a while. Eventually we were able to speed my daughter's feeds up, but it took a while.

After he gets his g-tube, if you have questions/need any tips on care (quality of life things that you may not want to bother the dr with), feel free to ask them here. For instance, I don't know if James is going to be on a continuous feed throughout the day for a while, but if you find there are times when he is off, you will probably have a coil of tubing to deal with. Our GI dr just recommended taping it to my daughter's abdomen so it didn't get pulled, etc, but that was not a comfortable option. We ended up using stretchy bands of gauze to hold the tubing against her abdomen instead of tape. It was recommended to us by a family friend, who said they use it on burn victims to hold bandages in place. It was truly helpful. We also have a cream that's really helpful for irritation around the stoma.

So see what kind of tubing etc. you are dealing with, and feel free to ask questions of any kind (especially those "quality of life" ones the drs often overlook). I hope James will be able to recover as well from the surgery as my daughter did (she has leukemia, and is immuno-compromised from her chemo treatments, so is not comparable physically to your son, but perhaps can be used as example of how someone with a weakened immune system can recover from this procedure).

Ann

[Wee Annie]

Tonight has been a rough night for James. He wasn't able to go to school yesterday, (he only goes half days now) and he is in a lot of pain tonight. We tried all the pain meds, but nothing is working. I brought James the laptop to look at pictures of GKTW and WDW to get his mind off the pain. He may post on here tonight of he feels up to it.

So sorry to hear James is in pain. Hoping and praying for a better day for him tomorrow.

[Momofwishkid]

Tonight has been a rough night for James. He wasn't able to go to school yesterday, (he only goes half days now) and he is in a lot of pain tonight. We tried all the pain meds, but nothing is working. I brought James the laptop to look at pictures of GKTW and WDW to get his mind off the pain. He may post on here tonight of he feels up to it.

Im so sorry James is having a rough day and am hoping today is better for him. :hug:

[snowwhitesmom]

Tonight has been a rough night for James. He wasn't able to go to school yesterday, (he only goes half days now) and he is in a lot of pain tonight. We tried all the pain meds, but nothing is working. I brought James the laptop to look at pictures of GKTW and WDW to get his mind off the pain. He may post on here tonight of he feels up to it.

Hope and hugs from here..... here's a fun link that James might like to look at -http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_mjt.htm - we love Animal Kingdom and I noticed you are there on your first park day -
:hug: hang in there - there are lots of good thoughts coming your way from everyone here, I can tell!

[alaskanabbott]

hi im james and I can not wet to go to disney land. I like the movie Lord of the Rings, I like playing with my brother we play playmobil. I like Egypt stuff. The best thing about the trip is the adventure I want to do all of the stuff there. I cant think of anything else.
james

[snowwhitesmom]

hi im james and I can not wet to go to disney land. I like the movie Lord of the Rings, I like playing with my brother we play playmobil. I like Egypt stuff. The best thing about the trip is the adventure I want to do all of the stuff there. I cant think of anything else.
james

Hi James!
I like Lord of the Rings too - when I was about your age, my Dad - who was a teacher - gave me all the books - he loved them too! He loved them so much that he used them as a read aloud for his classes. I would read them to my students, but they are young enough that the Lord of the Rings is too long for them. I do read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to them though - they love that!
I am also into Egyptian stuff - when I was in seventh grade, I did a report on Egypts and mummies - I think it was the only time I liked homework!
But even more than Egypt and Lord of the Rings or Narnia, I LOVE DISNEY! If you have any questions about anything, ask away and I will do my best to answer. I am sending Mom a picture of my two children - I have two girls - so maybe you could ask her to show you!
I am thinking of you and your wonderful family and I am so excited about your trip to Disney!
Michelle

[Wee Annie]

hi im james and I can not wet to go to disney land. I like the movie Lord of the Rings, I like playing with my brother we play playmobil. I like Egypt stuff. The best thing about the trip is the adventure I want to do all of the stuff there. I cant think of anything else.
james

Hi James! My family is going to Give Kids the World in April-- you'll have to let us know everything you enjoy when you're down there!

LOVE Lord of the Rings. And I always liked Egyptian stuff -- mummies and archeology and all. So does my middle daughter, Maggie.

You're going to have a great time at WDW!! Feel free to ask any questions you might have here -- usually someone has an answer.

[alaskanabbott]

Hi, this is Macylea, I am James' twin sister. I will be typing for him.

Where do you think is the best place to go, in DisneyWorld?:wizard:
What type of fun activities are there? I mean, are there scary,:scared1:
exciting, fun things to do? i really like all sorts of rides, as long as they are not bumpy! :laughing: Bye!! :happytv:

[Momofwishkid]

Hi James, I cant answer any of your questions yet as we have never been to Disney but are going in just over a week so we'll let you know when we get back. Hope your feeling better today. :goodvibes

[snowwhitesmom]

Hi, this is Macylea, I am James' twin sister. I will be typing for him.

Where do you think is the best place to go, in DisneyWorld?:wizard:
What type of fun activities are there? I mean, are there scary,:scared1:
exciting, fun things to do? i really like all sorts of rides, as long as they are not bumpy! :laughing: Bye!! :happytv:

Hi Macylea! Hi James! Aren't you sweet Macylea, to type for your brother. Wish I could get someone to type for me - I am such a slow typist!
There are four parks in Disneyworld - Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom. My favorite ride in all of DisneyWorld is at Epcot. It is called Soarin', and it made me feel like I was a bird, flying over things! It is a nice smooth ride - I love it. Magic Kingdom has the Haunted Mansion, another fun ride that is a bit scary, but not bumpy. Animal Kingdom has so many animals to see - and Hollywood Studios has Toy Story Mania which makes you feel like you are in a video game! My favorite thing to do of all is just to look around - it is so pretty and happy and fun - I LOVE it! And when I enter Main Street in Magic Kingdom, all I can smell is cotton candy and cookies - yum!The Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios is fun too. My teenagers and my husband like Rockin Roller Coaster, but it is so bumpy fast and jerky I can't do it - it hurts my neck and makes me sick to my stomach - so see? I don't like bumpy rides either.
I have a question for you two and your brothers and sister and Mom and Dad - will you take a survey for me? I am wondering what everyone's favorite Disney character is. Almost midnight here and I have school tomorrow so off I go - good night!

[alaskanabbott]

Thanks for writting us back. What two parks can you do in a day? James' is feeling about the same tonight, but we're having fun playing on this board. Our favorite characters are.

Dad- Micky Mouse

Mom- TinkerBell

Dakota- Eyore

Caelan- Aladdian

James- Phineus and Ferb

Macylea- Tigger

Elijah- Timon

Mackenzie- Ariel

Is there a fun place to eat that a boy would like, not like Cinderella's castle? Thanks, we appreciate all of this. Ok by I have to go to bed now, but I will ask mom to type more tomorrow for me after physical therpy. :laundy::laundy:

:bride::cheer2:princess::dance3::surfweb::rotfl::3 dglasses:wizard::scared1::laughing::laughing:

[pipersmom]

Hi James!
We're getting ready to go in about a week as well! The last time I went to WDW was when I was about your age and I remember loving Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain..that one is bumpy though! We're splitting a day between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, so I'll let you know how that works out. Piper is only 8 though, so what she would like and what you'll like might be a lot different! I'm not sure about a character meal at MK, I think the only ones there are Cinderella's Table and Crystal Palace! Crystal Palace is Pooh and friends. You guys should maybe check out Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, I think it's supposed to be more friendly for all ages and is more of a dinner show than an actual character meal. There's also a character meal at Universal Studios with folks like the X-Men, Spongebob, etc that may be more up your alley! Just some things for you guys to think about :)

[alaskanabbott]

Hi James! .....

Hi James....

Hi Macylea! Hi James!... QUOTE]

[QUOTE=pipersmom;35536118]Hi James!.....

OH Thank-you all so much, James is in bed with a big smile! Since he got sick, unfortunately he has distanced himself from just about all his friends...more them than him...not in a mean way, but he can't do much. His little brother Elijah is very social and has friends over all the time, so James "borrows" his friends. Now James is very excited, because he has some new "friends" and he made me write down your names- not sure why, since his vision is so off he can't read :) but he has your names on his night stand, just in case. :lovestruc

And it gives Macylea a new way to help her brother, and makes her feel like she's doing something, always good for a twin.
Thanks again everyone!

[yinyanggirls]

I was just reading that Universal has a character meal restaurant. Might have some superheroes?

[alaskanabbott]

I was just reading that Universal has a character meal restaurant. Might have some superheroes?

I'm going to look there right now. James is in bed, and I didn't know he wanted to do the character meal so bad, huh...His little sister is trying to convince him that Cinderella isn't just for girls, so we had to remind her that this is James wish trip. I think super hero's would be right up his ally.

[yinyanggirls]

There is one at Disney that has Alice and ??? someone help me here, is the Mad Hatter? Or there is the Pirate adventure thing they do on a boat, I seem to remember it was not too pricey.

[alaskanabbott]

There is one at Disney that has Alice and ??? someone help me here, is the Mad Hatter? Or there is the Pirate adventure thing they do on a boat, I seem to remember it was not too pricey.

Ok the pirate thing on the boat is very James! He had a Jack Sparrow look alike come visit him in the hospital on Christmas morning and was in heaven...is that at WDW? Anyone with info on that let me know!!!

[pipersmom]

The Pirate cruise is WDW, but I think you catch the boat at one of the WDW resorts. One TheCapells TR's has his son going on it, if I remember correctly, I'll find out and let you know!

[Nettaboo]

Hi James!! So glad you were feeling good enough to visit the site!!I know you will enjoy Disney World!!!

[pacrosby]

The Pirates Adventure Cruise (or whatever it's called) goes out from 4 different resorts, the Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Port Orleans Riverside and the Carribean Beach Resort. It's slotted for 4-12 year olds and since James is on the upper end you might want to look into it further to find it if it is truly something he would want to do. I think it's an 'active' adventure so that may or may not be an issue too. Just something to look into. There's also something where you can go at MK and get all made-up like a pirate (I'll go back and try and find it and edit this post with the details).

Then if he is really into Pirates there is a dinner show in Orlando called, coincidentally enough, the Pirates Dinner Adventure. GKTW offers reduced priced tickets to this show........free for Wish child and 50% off for the rest of the family (you will likely be getting an expense check that will allow you to do a fair amount of extras). I don't know if you're thinking of doing everything together as a cohesive group all week or if you are considering splitting up at times. There are occasions where the parks are open until the wee hours of the morning and James may not be up for it. On such a night one of you could consider taking James and a sibling or two to the Dinner and then go back and meet up with the rest of the gang at the park. Just tossing out things to consider.

Also, if you are trying to work around a theme like Pirates (some of us have done that) GKTW offers free tickets to Pirates Island Adventure Golf in Kissimmee........... a 5 minute drive from the Village. I don't know how cheesy it is, you could always check out their site to see if they have photos.

Just throwin' stuff out to you :)



edited to add: ok just found the Pirate makeover thingy........................it's called the Pirate League and it's located next to the Pirates of the Carribean attraction in the MK. The makeover boys/girls/adults to like like pirates with makeup, bandannas etc.




btw: hi to James:wave2:

[pipersmom]

It is one of thecappells TRs, and his son was younger. I would take Pamela's advice and look into it further, as it may not be something he'd enjoy with all the younger boys along?

Pamela..you are so on it! :worship:

[Maryrn11168]

Hi James!! I hope you are feeling better. All my kids love Chef Mickey's for Breakfast or dinner. It is a non-stop party with swining you napkins around. You are greeted by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip & Dale, and Pluto!! This is a favorite for boys and girls. It is located in the Contemporary Resort. As for rides...Tower of Terror, any of the roller coasters, there are too many to name. The rides the kids don't really like but will put up with them b/c I like them are It's a Small World, Winnie the Poph, and the People Mover.

I hope you have a great trip!!!

Feeding tube.....My son does not have one put my friends daughter had her's placed last Wed. Home from the hospital on Friday and are finding it very easy. 4 feedings per day, started with them going in over an hour and noew they can go in in 30-40 min. She even started the feeding while Taylor was napping. Good luck with everything!!

[snowwhitesmom]

Hi James, Amber, Macylea, and Family!
So - how many more days now? Not too many!
here is a link to info about the Pirates Laegue at Magic Kingdom
http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=556
and here's one about character meals
http://allears.net/din/chglance.htm
My family seems to be able to do both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in one day each - Epcot and Magic Kingdom we usually spend more time in, especially Epcot.
How is everyone feeling today?

[alaskanabbott]

Hi James, Amber, Macylea, and Family!
So - how many more days now? Not too many!
here is a link to info about the Pirates Laegue at Magic Kingdom
http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=556
and here's one about character meals
http://allears.net/din/chglance.htm
My family seems to be able to do both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in one day each - Epcot and Magic Kingdom we usually spend more time in, especially Epcot.
How is everyone feeling today?

Hi! I PM'd ya too! I think we are at three weeks from yesterday. James and I leave Thursday for the hospital, and should be home Sunday night. We plan on picking up some luggage in Anchorage, as we only own one suitcase in our family:scared1: We've never gone on a family trip together, it's always been James and I, so we only needed one bag.
I'm going to check the character meals link now, BIG THANKS for that link! :goodvibes and let James make his pick.
Since we don't have a diagnosis on James, we never know what it means when he feels yucky like this. Will it get better in a few days or is this the new "norm"? So far it's taken a year to get where he is at now...and the changes in him seem so slow that honestly DH and I don't notice his decline like other people do. It isn't until we look back at say, a few months ago he could go to school all day, and now he can only do about 3 hours, that we see he IS changing. The good news about not having a diagnosis is we don't have bad news to tell us he is going to be such and such a way...meaning we still have HUGE amounts of hope! I think we will see a perkier boy once the NG gets replaced with the G-tube. Also, we are still hoping that while they have him under htye will finally be able to biopsy the abdominal masses, which to date, have not been biopsied.

[alaskanabbott]

Hi James!! I hope you are feeling better. All my kids love Chef Mickey's for Breakfast or dinner. It is a non-stop party with swining you napkins around. You are greeted by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip & Dale, and Pluto!!

We are checking on those right now

Feeding tube 4 feedings per day, started with them going in over an hour and noew they can go in in 30-40 min.

I can't believe the things I get excited about now! But the more we hear about the g-tube, the more we can't wait to have it done! Thanks for your reply, it just reinforces how we feel about it :goodvibes

[alaskanabbott]

Just throwin' stuff out to you :)

I LOVE what your thowing at me:rotfl: I can't believe how much you know about this! I have all the info saved so after school he has something fun to think about, and he gets to decide which one we will do



[QUOTE=pipersmom;35538728]I would take Pamela's advice and look into it further, as it may not be something he'd enjoy with all the younger boys along?


This is a tough one, b/c while James is almost 13, he also has CP and is DD, he opperates at about a 7 year old level. So Winnie the Pooh is a little young for him, but dressing up like a Pirate- right up his ally! As for the teen-agers, they can deal with it!

[snowwhitesmom]

Amber, you are so smart to keep showing the kids pics and talking about your plans - anticipation is half the fun!
I forgot to mention - my oldest had the PE tubes put in her ears, so when the time comes for your little one, if I can help in any way, let me know.
PM'd you too!{Tag! You're it!:rotfl:}

[alaskanabbott]

Today was a good day! Hubby came from his work trip, and having two parents at home for 6 kiddo's is sooo much better than one! Then b/c I read another post who did this...I emailed all the local car rental companies and asked if they could wave the $200 airport drop-off fee. The manager for Hertz emailed me back and said she's going to work on it, and to give her a few days, but that she will definatly be able to do "something"! That was my final "worry"-getting to Anchorage and back.
Also, b/c of Jennifer (momofwishkid), Friday I called the company we are getting James' wheelchair from and they said they just needed a DR note and our insurance will cover a rental chair. I got the dr to send them a scrip today, and called to ask if the rental chair might be here by the time we leave, March 14th. Now for all of you NOT in Alaska, just b/c he can get the chair, doesn't mean there is actually one in the state...usually it's something that gets shipped up. She said after our call she had it FedExd up, even before getting the note from the doctor, and it's due here tomorrow! OK that is pretty great news. Otherwise James is feeling better tonight, no pain meds! (I love that) and he was able to move all his formula today, which means he should be well enough for the g-tube surgery Friday. Today was a very good day indeed ;)

[yinyanggirls]

Wow, good news all around! You're really moving on the plans now! I went to Alaska in the 1980s and I can picture what you are talking about. How awesome of her to FedEx it!

[snowwhitesmom]

Today was a good day! Hubby came from his work trip, and having two parents at home for 6 kiddo's is sooo much better than one! Then b/c I read another post who did this...I emailed all the local car rental companies and asked if they could wave the $200 airport drop-off fee. The manager for Hertz emailed me back and said she's going to work on it, and to give her a few days, but that she will definatly be able to do "something"! That was my final "worry"-getting to Anchorage and back.
Also, b/c of Jennifer (momofwishkid), Friday I called the company we are getting James' wheelchair from and they said they just needed a DR note and our insurance will cover a rental chair. I got the dr to send them a scrip today, and called to ask if the rental chair might be here by the time we leave, March 14th. Now for all of you NOT in Alaska, just b/c he can get the chair, doesn't mean there is actually one in the state...usually it's something that gets shipped up. She said after our call she had it FedExd up, even before getting the note from the doctor, and it's due here tomorrow! OK that is pretty great news. Otherwise James is feeling better tonight, no pain meds! (I love that) and he was able to move all his formula today, which means he should be well enough for the g-tube surgery Friday. Today was a very good day indeed ;)

So glad you all had a good day - here's hopes that today will be just as good, if not better!

[Momofwishkid]

Today was a good day! Hubby came from his work trip, and having two parents at home for 6 kiddo's is sooo much better than one! Then b/c I read another post who did this...I emailed all the local car rental companies and asked if they could wave the $200 airport drop-off fee. The manager for Hertz emailed me back and said she's going to work on it, and to give her a few days, but that she will definatly be able to do "something"! That was my final "worry"-getting to Anchorage and back.
Also, b/c of Jennifer (momofwishkid), Friday I called the company we are getting James' wheelchair from and they said they just needed a DR note and our insurance will cover a rental chair. I got the dr to send them a scrip today, and called to ask if the rental chair might be here by the time we leave, March 14th. Now for all of you NOT in Alaska, just b/c he can get the chair, doesn't mean there is actually one in the state...usually it's something that gets shipped up. She said after our call she had it FedExd up, even before getting the note from the doctor, and it's due here tomorrow! OK that is pretty great news. Otherwise James is feeling better tonight, no pain meds! (I love that) and he was able to move all his formula today, which means he should be well enough for the g-tube surgery Friday. Today was a very good day indeed ;)

:cool1: Im so glad to hear it has been a good day and James is feeling better.
:banana: and the rental is going to be there so soon!!

[alaskanabbott]

:cool1: Im so glad to hear it has been a good day and James is feeling better.
:banana: and the rental is going to be there so soon!!

Well thank you for the idea! I can't wait to hear all about your trip...but I think we leave right as you come back.

[Momofwishkid]

Yep, I'll only be home for a week before you guys leave. Hopefully I'll be able to at least start a TR but we'l see. I'll at least be able to answer any last minute questions you might have.

[snowwhitesmom]

Hi there - just checking in to see how everyone is doing!

[alaskanabbott]

Everyone is doing great. I'm just getting DH prepared for James and I being gone for 3 nights. We have a dr appt in the morning, then James gets fit for his chair, then we're off to Anchorage. I read that we may get some snow ( imagine that, snow, in Alaska!) Then I'm hoping to buy some luggage so when I get home I can start packing. I went to the store yesterday, they're having a 70% off clearance sale, whoot whoot, so I bought a few pairs of shorts. I'm not sure how comfortable the g-tube site is going to be, so I found those silky track shorts for James, and he's very happy with them...$3 a pair. And found a Buzz Lightyear Light up hoodie for about $6, in case anyone has a Buzz fanatic,they have a few left. My princess daughter Mackenzie is suddenly obsessed with Buzz, much to daddy's delight. This girl has more pink in her closet than Barbie, and she wore that Buzz hoodie to school...with a blue ribbon in her hair, ofcourse!
As far as planning for the trip goes, all is one hold till after we gethome from Anchorage, then it will be full force ahead. James has been in bed all day, so I still haven't got him to pick out his character meal. I'm hoping he'll feel more up to it later. He is listening to "Fablehaven" on CD, and I'm loving that he can still enjoy books, even if he can't read them. Ok, that's my uber-random post for the day :rotfl:

[Momofwishkid]

Everyone is doing great. I'm just getting DH prepared for James and I being gone for 3 nights. We have a dr appt in the morning, then James gets fit for his chair, then we're off to Anchorage. I read that we may get some snow ( imagine that, snow, in Alaska!) Then I'm hoping to buy some luggage so when I get home I can start packing. I went to the store yesterday, they're having a 70% off clearance sale, whoot whoot, so I bought a few pairs of shorts. I'm not sure how comfortable the g-tube site is going to be, so I found those silky track shorts for James, and he's very happy with them...$3 a pair. And found a Buzz Lightyear Light up hoodie for about $6, in case anyone has a Buzz fanatic,they have a few left. My princess daughter Mackenzie is suddenly obsessed with Buzz, much to daddy's delight. This girl has more pink in her closet than Barbie, and she wore that Buzz hoodie to school...with a blue ribbon in her hair, ofcourse!
As far as planning for the trip goes, all is one hold till after we gethome from Anchorage, then it will be full force ahead. James has been in bed all day, so I still haven't got him to pick out his character meal. I'm hoping he'll feel more up to it later. He is listening to "Fablehaven" on CD, and I'm loving that he can still enjoy books, even if he can't read them. Ok, that's my uber-random post for the day :rotfl:

Good luck with the appointments tomorrow, Im sure all will go well.
What store was having the sale?? Gavin is a huge Toy Story fan and all he really wears are the track pants. I would love to find some for $3. :goodvibes
My DD Kia has read the Fablehaven books and really liked them. Hope James does too.

[alaskanabbott]

I would love to find some for $3. :goodvibes
My DD Kia has read the Fablehaven books and really liked them. Hope James does too.
The clothes are all at Fred Meyer (can't remember if you have one there) What size hoodie does he wear? I can buy it here and send if you don't have a Fred Meyers. There wasn't many track pants, lots of track shorts.
Let me know if you want to pick some things up...tomorrow morning will be my last oppertunity, b/c I think th esale is over before we get back into town.
Are there more Fablehaven books? Oh good! Mine are reading right now: Cirque Du Freak, Levan Thumps, The Rangers Apprentice and Bones...the older boys are reading the Left Behind series.

[snowwhitesmom]

Everyone is doing great. I'm just getting DH prepared for James and I being gone for 3 nights. We have a dr appt in the morning, then James gets fit for his chair, then we're off to Anchorage. I read that we may get some snow ( imagine that, snow, in Alaska!) Then I'm hoping to buy some luggage so when I get home I can start packing. I went to the store yesterday, they're having a 70% off clearance sale, whoot whoot, so I bought a few pairs of shorts. I'm not sure how comfortable the g-tube site is going to be, so I found those silky track shorts for James, and he's very happy with them...$3 a pair. And found a Buzz Lightyear Light up hoodie for about $6, in case anyone has a Buzz fanatic,they have a few left. My princess daughter Mackenzie is suddenly obsessed with Buzz, much to daddy's delight. This girl has more pink in her closet than Barbie, and she wore that Buzz hoodie to school...with a blue ribbon in her hair, ofcourse!
As far as planning for the trip goes, all is one hold till after we gethome from Anchorage, then it will be full force ahead. James has been in bed all day, so I still haven't got him to pick out his character meal. I'm hoping he'll feel more up to it later. He is listening to "Fablehaven" on CD, and I'm loving that he can still enjoy books, even if he can't read them. Ok, that's my uber-random post for the day :rotfl:

Sounds like the next few days are going to be VERY busy! But just think - when you come back, it will be time to focus on the trip, AND the g tube will be in!:banana: Have a safe trip- and remember we will be thinking of you! Will you have internet access over theweekend?

[Momofwishkid]

The clothes are all at Fred Meyer (can't remember if you have one there) What size hoodie does he wear? I can buy it here and send if you don't have a Fred Meyers. There wasn't many track pants, lots of track shorts.
Let me know if you want to pick some things up...tomorrow morning will be my last oppertunity, b/c I think th esale is over before we get back into town.
Are there more Fablehaven books? Oh good! Mine are reading right now: Cirque Du Freak, Levan Thumps, The Rangers Apprentice and Bones...the older boys are reading the Left Behind series.

Thanks for the offer Amber. We have a Fred Meyer right down the road ao I'll run down in the morning and see what I can find. My DD has a set of 3 of the Fablehaven books. Fablehaven, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening star and Fablehaven: Grip of the shadow plague. DD has also read the Left Behind series. She just turned 12 but reads ALOT, sounds like the kids have a few things in common :goodvibes

[alaskanabbott]

Thanks for the offer Amber. We have a Fred Meyer right down the road ao I'll run down in the morning and see what I can find. My DD has a set of 3 of the Fablehaven books. Fablehaven, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening star and Fablehaven: Grip of the shadow plague. DD has also read the Left Behind series. She just turned 12 but reads ALOT, sounds like the kids have a few things in common :goodvibes

OOOO good! I found the Buzz sweatshirts in the boys 4-7 clearance section. My daughter is 12 too, and like yours, is an avid reader. The last few months it's been The Rangers Apprentice series, and The Apprentice series, now Cirque Du Freak, which I didn't really love b/c it's kind of dark. Macylea read Rachels Tears- about the Columbine shooting, and she was really into it, but it left her feeling very melencholy.

[pipersmom]

Just stopping in to tell you good luck with your appts tomorrow! Is there a way to send James e-cards or e-mail at the hospital you guys go to? If so let us know ;) Very cool deals you found..I finally muscled up today and tried on the stuff I bought back in December ( I was halfway scared they wouldn't fit!) and they did, thank goodness!! We'll keep you guys in our thoughts :hug:

[alaskanabbott]

Just stopping in to tell you good luck with your appts tomorrow! Is there a way to send James e-cards or e-mail at the hospital you guys go to? If so let us know ;) Very cool deals you found..I finally muscled up today and tried on the stuff I bought back in December ( I was halfway scared they wouldn't fit!) and they did, thank goodness!! We'll keep you guys in our thoughts :hug:

OH Hurray you! I tried on a pair of last summers capri's and I look like a sausage..thank goodness nobody knows me in Florida! I did loose two pounds last week (thank you Weight Watchers!) and I'm holding out hope I can drop 4 more before the plane departs.

[Maryrn11168]

Good luck today!! Hope all goes well!!!

[alaskanabbott]

Ok, we got up bright and early, got the other kids off to school, and finished packing for the hospital. Then got a phone call that Elijah (10) had fallen on the ice and the school nurse was worried he had a concussion. Went and got Elijah from school, who by now had two black eyes, a huge lump on his head and was having trouble seeing out of his left eye. So yes, Elijah has a concussion. After an hour and a half drs appt, James and I were ready to go...again...Oh but mother nature had her own thoughts. We awoke to a few inches of fresh snow, but up here what's a few inches? Well I live in a mountainous region, and the last two weeks the weather has been warming up, so new snow on top of warmed up snow= yes, you guessed it, AVALANCHE! No I am not kidding, we had an avalanche in the pass and now we are patiently waiting for the DOT to clear the road so we can actually begin the drive to Anchorage.
I'm not sure we will have internet access, but I'll keep you'll posted soon as I can!

[snowwhitesmom]

Ok, we got up bright and early, got the other kids off to school, and finished packing for the hospital. Then got a phone call that Elijah (10) had fallen on the ice and the school nurse was worried he had a concussion. Went and got Elijah from school, who by now had two black eyes, a huge lump on his head and was having trouble seeing out of his left eye. So yes, Elijah has a concussion. After an hour and a half drs appt, James and I were ready to go...again...Oh but mother nature had her own thoughts. We awoke to a few inches of fresh snow, but up here what's a few inches? Well I live in a mountainous region, and the last two weeks the weather has been warming up, so new snow on top of warmed up snow= yes, you guessed it, AVALANCHE! No I am not kidding, we had an avalanche in the pass and now we are patiently waiting for the DOT to clear the road so we can actually begin the drive to Anchorage.
I'm not sure we will have internet access, but I'll keep you'll posted soon as I can!

Oh,Amber, I am so sorry - Murphy's Law, huh? I hope Elijah is okay. Here are good thoughts for your travels!:hug:

[Momofwishkid]

Ok, we got up bright and early, got the other kids off to school, and finished packing for the hospital. Then got a phone call that Elijah (10) had fallen on the ice and the school nurse was worried he had a concussion. Went and got Elijah from school, who by now had two black eyes, a huge lump on his head and was having trouble seeing out of his left eye. So yes, Elijah has a concussion. After an hour and a half drs appt, James and I were ready to go...again...Oh but mother nature had her own thoughts. We awoke to a few inches of fresh snow, but up here what's a few inches? Well I live in a mountainous region, and the last two weeks the weather has been warming up, so new snow on top of warmed up snow= yes, you guessed it, AVALANCHE! No I am not kidding, we had an avalanche in the pass and now we are patiently waiting for the DOT to clear the road so we can actually begin the drive to Anchorage.
I'm not sure we will have internet access, but I'll keep you'll posted soon as I can!

:scared1: What a morning you've had! Im so sorry Elijah has the concussion, was he able to come home? I know years ago my cousin fell and got a concusion and had to stay overnight just to be watched. Hope they clear the road soon so you can get on your way. Good luck with everything. :hug:

[yinyanggirls]

Oh geez. An avalanche??? Perfect timing. I hope Elijah is feeling better.

[Wee Annie]

An avalanche??? Geez, and I was panicked driving along in what you would probably call a piddly amount of snow this morning.... Sure puts things in perspective (I'm a big fan of perspective).

Hope Elijah is doing better.

[pipersmom]

Oh geez..when it rains it pours..or when it snows it... Couldn't resist..hope it at least made you grin! So sorry to hear about Elijah, I hope he's feeling better and that you guys are able to get out soon!!! :hug:

[foxyroxy40]

Hi amber wanted to say I just found your PTR and wanted to tell you and james that my son was twelve are first trip to disney and he enjoyed eating at the castle with all the pretty princesses they give all the boys swords and stars and the girls get wands so they can make a wish and they do it all together the next year he was thirteen and we did that again he enjoyed all the attention that the princesses gave him he had really long hair then (to hide his hearing aids)and all the princesses knew he was a boy but the waitress didnt know and kept calling him a girl but the princesses made it up to him telling what a handsome prince he was :woohoo:any who I must be the meanest mom on the planet because my daughter was 7 and she walked and so did my great nephew who was 6 and they arent either one in shape:rotfl:and we walked are butts off:rotfl2:but it was christmas:scared1:and it was so busy well I just wanted to share

[noahsketomom]

Hi Amber,
Was thinking of you today as I knew you were heading off, but sounds like you hit some road blocks! (hardy, har, I know --- but REALLY no pun intended!!) I sure hope Elijah is okay, and you guys get on your way soon.

Thinking of you,

[kellyw8863]

Subbing! I hope that you made it to Anchorage safely...

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Amber I am thinking of James tonight. I hope you all made it safely to Anchorage and that Elijah is doing well. I hope James surgery went well and he is doing good. Ty has a gtube in as well. I am wondering if James will have a long "peg" tube or the gtube button. I will be happy to pass along any tips that can help you and James adjust. Sending big hugs to you all!!

[snowwhitesmom]

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all!

[alaskanabbott]

Okay, we're home...pain from the g-tube was a little more than we anticipated, I'm really hoping two weeks is enough time for him to be healed. I just got in and read all the posts, I'll respond a little more personal later. Thanks everyone for the well wishes :goodvibes

[pipersmom]

So glad you're home and everything went well! :hug: Sorry about the pain though, tell James we're thinking about him please!

[alaskanabbott]

:scared1: Im so sorry Elijah has the concussion, was he able to come home? I know years ago my cousin fell and got a concusion and had to stay overnight just to be watched. They let him come home, told us to watch him and give him ibuprophen...the next morning he was MUCH better, and by today his some old goofy self :)

Oh geez. An avalanche??? Perfect timing. I hope Elijah is feeling better. Thanks! Elijah is much better now! But then my poor hubby was the one who got the job of nursing him, while I was with James, I think I got the short end? ;)

An avalanche??? Geez, and I was panicked driving along in what you would probably call a piddly amount of snow this morning.... Sure puts things in perspective (I'm a big fan of perspective).
I LOVE perspective! You know how when you're in the hospital with YOUR sick kid, then you look over at another child, with a different situtation and you go, "Oh that poor family!" And you knoe the mom is looking at you thinking the same thing! That's my usual reminder of perspective.

Oh geez..when it rains it pours..or when it snows it... Couldn't resist..hope it at least made you grin! So sorry to hear about Elijah, I hope he's feeling better and that you guys are able to get out soon!!! :hug: Ok, you are funny, yes it made me laugh. And btw, it still is pouring... snow that is!

Hi amber wanted to say I just found your PTR and wanted to tell you and james that my son was twelve are first trip to disney and he enjoyed eating at the castle with all the pretty princesses they give all the boys swords and stars and the girls get wands so they can make a wish and they do it all together
OOOOO James loves him some girl attention! maybe the castle isn't so off the list?
I must be the meanest mom on the planet because my daughter was 7 and she walked and so did my great nephew who was 6....
Mine do a fair amount of walking, and they're all pretty sporty, but I know my 5 year old and she'll be hitching a ride in her brothers wheel chair is she walks more than a mile! :goodvibes

Hi Amber,
Was thinking of you today as I knew you were heading off, but sounds like you hit some road blocks! (hardy, har, I know --- but REALLY no pun intended!!) I sure hope Elijah is okay, and you guys get on your way soon.
I'm starting to think you all are very funny people! By the time I got to the road block it was all clear, I was going to take some pictures for you guys:rolleyes: but I'm glad it was, b/c we sailed through the pass.

Subbing! I hope that you made it to Anchorage safely...Made it there, and back, though back was actually a little worse, no avalanche this time, but white out conditions along the arm (big inlet of water, no guard rails, gotta love Alaska) but after about 60 miles the road opened up, and though we still had to take it slow, I wasn't white knuckling it anymore


TO YOU ALL: Thank you with all my heart for caring about my klutzy Elijah, and my sweetheart James. This is a very very cool group of people, and it makes me almost (almost) wish our trip was still a few months out so I had more time to get to know you all :grouphug:

[pipersmom]

Haven't you figured out yet that the woman always gets the short end? :lmao: Made it so much easier to leave the ex when I was doing everything anyw..ermm..nevermind...LOL. Woohoo..you're at two weeks exactly..how cool is that??

[alaskanabbott]

Amber I am thinking of James tonight. I hope you all made it safely to Anchorage and that Elijah is doing well. I hope James surgery went well and he is doing good. Ty has a gtube in as well. I am wondering if James will have a long "peg" tube or the gtube button. I will be happy to pass along any tips that can help you and James adjust. Sending big hugs to you all!!

Well James has a long tube, and DR said in about 2-3 months we will go back and have the Mic Key put in. How long was Ty in pretty bad pain after his tube was put in? James is still on narcotics every four hours. Do you think he'll be well enough for the trip in two weeks?
I may have questions for you, I'm pretty lost here.

[alaskanabbott]

Haven't you figured out yet that the woman always gets the short end? :lmao: Made it so much easier to leave the ex when I was doing everything anyw..ermm..nevermind...LOL. Woohoo..you're at two weeks exactly..how cool is that??

Yeah pretty cool, 2 weeks...but it feels like forever still! I know DH and I had to learn all new coping skills when James got sick, and there are times I want to bash him upside the head. I'm sure he feels the same way. While James and I were at the hospital a mom got flowers from her hubby, while she was there with thier son. I got pissy with my DH b/c he should have thought of that!

[pipersmom]

Enjoy it while it's feeling like forever, because the time passes waaaay too quickly! I know what you mean, it's a totally new "normal" when you start dealing with a child's health issues. There's been studies of how many couples make it through having a child with a chronic illness, and the divorce rate is amazingly high. It's just one of those make it or break it things, so be proud of yourselves that you're on the make it end! :hug: All right, I'm off for bed...I hope James is in less pain tomorrow!

[Momofwishkid]

So glad you guys made it home, I hope James is feeling better soon. Dont feel bad about getting pissy with DH, Im sure we all have done that when facing weeks or months of hospital stays.

[alaskanabbott]

So glad you guys made it home, I hope James is feeling better soon. Dont feel bad about getting pissy with DH, Im sure we all have done that when facing weeks or months of hospital stays.

OM goodness, 2 days! You guys must be soooo excited!

[yinyanggirls]

Glad you are home, and I hope James heals quickly.

As for that other wife in the hospital, that must have been her first time. :lmao:

[snowwhitesmom]

So glad you are home safely - hope Elijah and James are both doing better - and remember - actions speak alot louder than flowers, right?;)

[alaskanabbott]

Glad you are home, and I hope James heals quickly.

As for that other wife in the hospital, that must have been her first time. :lmao:

:rotfl: hehe, that's funny :)

[alaskanabbott]

So glad you are home safely - hope Elijah and James are both doing better - and remember - actions speak alot louder than flowers, right?;)

I want the actions, the words, and CAKE ...a big fat chocolate cake! Yeah, ok, you're right, he's a very good, sweet hubby, even if he hasn't sent me flowers in ages ;)

[alaskanabbott]

James is layng on the couch watching a set of history DVD's my dad got him about engineering in ancient civilizations (he loves it!) and what should we get in the mail?

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/troopers005.jpg

Hurray! And I'm kind of happy we got it while everyone was gone. This really is about and for our James. I read him the entire thing twice and we are going to look at the website, again, later today. James wants to write again to everyone, but isn't up to it yet. So he sends a big HELLO.

and now to remind us why the G-tube is good....
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/troopers003.jpg
James' last night with an NG tube.
Well, we have our GKTW mail, our itenerary and our schedule, we're getting closer. I even bought some cheap suitcases at Walmart while we were in the big city, hehe. I started packing last night, with the help of Mackenzie, who is at that age where so loves helping. I'll show you what I "caught" her doing last week.
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/troopers001.jpg
She was helping mom by doing the laundry, awwwww


I have all my, Mackenzie, and Elijah's stuff packed. I have 4 pairs of shorts and one pair of pants for James...and no shirts. All he owns is long sleeve, and while we were in Anchorage we went to Old Navy (big sale :)) I kept showing him shirts and he kept saying no, ugh. So my teenager had a good idea. He said just to buy him a pack of white Hanes shirts. Because I can't leave well enough alone, I thought I'd make James some shirts. I saw another post where someone got t-shirt designs, then printed them out on iron-on transfers. She mentioned she found them on one of these threads...anyone know where?

[snowwhitesmom]

Hi Amber! Here's a couple of links that I think might help with the t shirts -
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2028914

[kellyw8863]

I just wanted to pop on here and wish you and James well. Ali had her PEG placed last May, which was then switched out to a Mic-Key in December. She now has an AMT Mini One. There is definitely a learning curve, but you both will get used to it. Now we LOVE the fact that she has a tube to fall back on. We have avoided admissions because of it, and we are able to give her medications that cannot be given orally (one is an acid and literally burns). Just keep reminding yourselves that it WILL get easier. Ali was uncomfortable for close to a month, though we saw a lot of improvement after about a week and a half. Two months later, and it was a non-issue. Now I can tug on it and everything.:grouphug:

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I'm so glad to hear you are home! I would "think" he will be ok.Ty was doing great in about 3-4 days. I was so amazed at how well it went. He only needed the pain med for maybe 2 days and that was it. We actually went to Tennessee not too long after his long tube placement. It was a start over as we had to pull his original tube and let that heal before they placed the other long tube.

Ask away! I am here to help!:hug:



Well James has a long tube, and DR said in about 2-3 months we will go back and have the Mic Key put in. How long was Ty in pretty bad pain after his tube was put in? James is still on narcotics every four hours. Do you think he'll be well enough for the trip in two weeks?
I may have questions for you, I'm pretty lost here.

[kellyw8863]

I also wanted to add that even though Ali wasn't 100%, she was discharged from the hospital on a Thursday and returned to daycare the following Monday. She guarded it, but did fine.:goodvibes

[alaskanabbott]

I read this on someone's Caring Bridge and it spoke to me. I'm sure many of you have read this, but it is so simply sweet.

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

I want to frame this in my room. When I read the line "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
it hit me like a brick. So my new resolution is to find the Holland in our life everyday :hug:

[alaskanabbott]

But this was actually a quick, fun, easy and best of all, cheap project. Cost me $19 to make 4 shirts and I still have three transfer sheets left!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts001.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts002.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts003.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts004.jpg

[noahsketomom]

Amber,
I had heard that Holland poem before and love it!

And your shirts look FANTASTIC! I'd say better than Martha!! :thumbsup2

Have you shown them to James? I bet he's going to love them!!!

You're getting close!!!!! :woohoo:

[snowwhitesmom]

I have always loved that poem - and I ADORE the shirts! great job!:thumbsup2

[pnutallergymom]

Amber,

The T-shirts came out awesome!!!! You did such a good job!! Were they easy to do?? I just got a few of the links and might attempt it as well. Any tips??


Hope James starts to feel a bit better soon!! Ask all the questions about the tube you need to...I think we're all pretty much pros now!! You will be too!!

[alaskanabbott]

....gang aft agley!

Our plan was to leave town on Sunday the 14th, in the afternoon, since we check into the airport at 11:30pm on Sunday. Now Macylea (James' twin sister) has her first wrestling tournament in Anchorage on Saturday the 13th. So I guess we're going to go to Anchorage on Saturday now and getting a hotel room. This has us spending all day Sunday in Anchorage until we check into the airport at 11pm. Honestly, you can see all of Anchorage in an hour, lol, so I'm not sure what we'll do with the rest of the time....I guess we're going to start our vacation as Alaska tourists.

On another note, drs are going now with the idea that James has "something" nuerologicaly wrong with him. If you didn't read in my intro, James has been progressivly getting worse since last May, and so far no one knows why. He is in extreme pain in his abdomen, so all drs have been focusing on it being a a GI issue, though I had some suspicions it wasn't. Namely James eyes began crossing, and he now seeing double vision all the time, his gross motor skills dropped to a 4 year old level and his fine motor skills now have dropped to a 6year old level. He forgets simple things, like his last name, or a teacher. So they put him through the whole gambit of tests about two weeks ago and came back with the thought he has a nuerologic disorder, what? we still don't know but now we go see the Pediatric Nuerologist. Alaska has ONE Peds. Nuero. so at first they said it would be May before we get in, but if the Dr calls and tells them it's an emergency we can get in sooner.
So is this bad news? I'm not sure. I think we are all sooo ready to just know what is happening that we almost get excited about the possiblity of a diagnosis, even one that is sucky.
Like James said a few weeks ago, he asked me if he had cancer, I guess some kids at school told him he looked like he has cancer, and I told him no, he does not have cancer. He said "so what do I tell them I have" and I told him that while the drs were pretty sure he doesn't have cancer, b/c his blood work doesn't show cancer, but we don't actually know what he has yet. He said "that's too much, I'll just tell them I have the flu".

[alaskanabbott]

Amber,

The T-shirts came out awesome!!!! You did such a good job!! Were they easy to do?? I just got a few of the links and might attempt it as well. Any tips??


Hope James starts to feel a bit better soon!! Ask all the questions about the tube you need to...I think we're all pretty much pros now!! You will be too!!

I went to a store called JoAnnes fabric (you may have one) and they have the different color shirts on sale for 4 for $10. Then I bought two kinds of transfer paper...one for darks and one for lights (the color of the shirt). I just followed the instructions and did all of them in an hour. I am not crafty at all, so if I can you can. I'm actually going to make one for each kid now, it was fun! The ladies on the creative link were amazing, I posted what I wanted and I had 4 or 5 designs within a few hours. They would have changed things and stuff, but I loved them as they were. I would take Maroo up on her advice and put in your title it's for MAW, I think they were extra helpful. I hate to capitalize on that, but it's once-in-a-lifetime, so I did.
Good Luck,
PS If I may, I will ask questions as they arise...so far I have to say WAY easier than the NG!

[snowwhitesmom]

Amber, I suppose its good the doctors are getting a better idea of what's going on, but I am sure you could use a hug.:hug:
He said "that's too much, I'll just tell them I have the flu".
okay - how cute is that?
I hope you alll are having a wonderful day!

[alaskanabbott]

Amber, I suppose its good the doctors are getting a better idea of what's going on, but I am sure you could use a hug.:hug:
He said "that's too much, I'll just tell them I have the flu".
okay - how cute is that?
I hope you alll are having a wonderful day!

We figured that all the kids in his school will be begging for the flu shot next year! :rotfl:
And I'm better today, virtual hugs accepted! We wanted to take up three with us on Saturday and leave three with grandpa to drive up the next day, and it just so happened the 3 we wanted to take are excited to go to Anchorage early, and the other three had plans they want to stay in town for! So really instead of this being an irritation, I need to think of it as an early start to our trip :) PLUS we get a little extra sleep that day, and I never complain about EXTRA sleep princess:

[snowwhitesmom]

yep - just consider it the first leg of the trip!

[yinyanggirls]

Sounds like the extra day will work out fine. You did a great job on the shirts! I'm impressed!

Just to warn you, I've worked with 6 different neurologists in three different states since Phoebe was born, and I can only say that one came across as human. It seems that neuros tend to have a God-complex. If your state only has one to begin with he is likely to be an extra big jerk. For your sake, I hope I'm wrong but I just wanted to warn you. Don't let him belittle you, or cut you off or let you leave with unanswered questions. Hopefully he'll be a genius and figure the whole thing out.

[alaskanabbott]

Sounds like the extra day will work out fine. You did a great job on the shirts! I'm impressed!

Just to warn you, I've worked with 6 different neurologists in three different states since Phoebe was born, and I can only say that one came across as human. It seems that neuros tend to have a God-complex. If your state only has one to begin with he is likely to be an extra big jerk. For your sake, I hope I'm wrong but I just wanted to warn you. Don't let him belittle you, or cut you off or let you leave with unanswered questions. Hopefully he'll be a genius and figure the whole thing out.

UGh, not what I want to hear right now...the states only Peds GI already pulled that on me last week. Maybe he'll try to be th ehero and figure this out...we can hope!

[yinyanggirls]

UGh, not what I want to hear right now...the states only Peds GI already pulled that on me last week. Maybe he'll try to be th ehero and figure this out...we can hope!

I'm sorry to be so negative. I just remember feeling so blind-sided after meeting with several of them. I wasn't prepared for the attitude and it got me off track. I left thinking I should have said.....

So again, I really hope I'm wrong but just wanted you to go in thinking that this guy could be a jerk, but that doesn't have to stop you from getting the answers you need! I hope they get you in before May!

[alaskanabbott]

I'm sorry to be so negative. I just remember feeling so blind-sided after meeting with several of them. I wasn't prepared for the attitude and it got me off track. I left thinking I should have said.....

So again, I really hope I'm wrong but just wanted you to go in thinking that this guy could be a jerk, but that doesn't have to stop you from getting the answers you need! I hope they get you in before May!

It's not negative, I understand completely. I have the same problem with his GI docs, every one has had a very big head on his shoulders. I've heard good reviews on this Neuro, and I'm really hoping for him to be good, b/c otherwise that means we're leaving state again for his medical care, and I honestly can't bare the thought of that. I'm soooo tired of learning hospital routines! So I guess we'll see. Yesterday James' doc said she was calling the Neuro to see how fast she can get us in, maybe we'll know by the end of the month if he's a good-guy or a bad-guy :)

[alaskanabbott]

James and I are working on his school project "Alaskan Black Bears" and we decided to put up an update.

1. Still no loaner wheelchair. The one that they brought up first was too small, not in the seat but in the legs. James is tall, he's almost 13! but he's not very wide, so the 12" chair was great in the bum, not for his heaight :( SO we are waiting for another to come up. They ordered him a brand new chair as his rental until his custom one is done. Please send good vibes that the rental will actually be here by the time we leave! :goodvibes

2. We have our plan for how we're getting to Anchorage. Hubby, me and the 15 yr old, and the twins (James and Macylea) are going up next Saturday, then grandpa will come Sunday afternoon with the youngest, Mackenzie-5 the oldest Dakota-17, and Elijah-10. Our wish group is having a dinner for us at a popular restraunt at 6pm, and we have to check into the airport at 11:30which means we'll probably be sitting in the airport for an extra 3 hours, since I can't figure out anything to do in Anchorage at 8pm on a Sunday night with 6 kids:scared1: I'm thinking about asking the hotel if there is anyway we can get a really good deal on the room for a 1/2 day since we only need it until 11pm...hmmm I guess it can't hurt to ask?

3. James is feeling better now from the g-tube placement. It's still a little red and swollen, but all in all he's feeling better. He has been going to scholl from 11:30am to 3pm, and I think that helps get his mind off of things, and I get a little respite from being a caretaker, hurray for school!

4. I kind of lost the excitment of planning...I've read all the books the library has on Disney World, went to all the sites, now I think I'm just ready to DO IT! I still need to find sandals for the kids, we're all still in snow boots! but I stopped buying shorts and t-shirts, hubby started questioning the sanity of each kid having 6 pairs of shorts that they'll probably never wear again, and I had to agree :) I think I may make all the little kids a shirt, I'm thinking it would be fun while we're on the planes down to have matching shirts, but I'd have to drug my teen-agers to do it, and if the teen-agers won't, DH will ask why he should have too....do boys ever actually grow up?

5. I want to try to do the Pirate dinner with the family, but I don't know how to fit it in. We have only 6 days to do anything, since we get in late the first day and leave early the last. We're doing full days at WDW, Sea Wolrd, US, and Epcot, half day at AK and the kids really want to go to the beach our last day, then if we still have time after we play at the beach we thought we'd do IOA.. We're doing SW on Thurs b/c the kids are super excited about Christmas, so we figured since SW closes early, we'd make it to x-mas on time. Maybe the day we do the AK we can do the dinner? Does anyones plans ever actually turn out how you planned them?

OK that's enough for awhile :) back to the Alaska Black Bear report!

[yinyanggirls]

I'm thinking about asking the hotel if there is anyway we can get a really good deal on the room for a 1/2 day since we only need it until 11pm...hmmm I guess it can't hurt to ask?

What hotel are you staying at the first night? If it's someplace that has any kind of lobby, maybe they'd at least let you hang out there the following evening. At least they'd have chairs, a tv, etc.

I think I may make all the little kids a shirt, I'm thinking it would be fun while we're on the planes down to have matching shirts, but I'd have to drug my teen-agers to do it, and if the teen-agers won't, DH will ask why he should have too....do boys ever actually grow up?


What about making the big kids a t-shirt with just a small logo on the pocket side (like a surf t-shirt would have a logo there). Then it wouldn't be too obvious and a little more "cool".

[Maryrn11168]

Glad James is feeling better!! How did the Black Bear Report go?? It's amazing how much homework we have as parents!! :rotfl::rotfl:

I'm hoping you have a good night in Anchorage. Does the hotel have an indoor pool?? If so that always kills at least an hour or so.

I love the T-shirts!! Could you tell me who did the Phinneas and Ferb disign?? My little guy loves them!! and my chapter doesn't give him a shirt, so I decided to make him one. Thanks!!

How is your other son feeling???

[alaskanabbott]

Glad James is feeling better!! How did the Black Bear Report go?? It's amazing how much homework we have as parents!! :rotfl::rotfl:

I agree, whew.... glad that report is over! lol...actually, he did 99% of it, I helped him cut, and type, that's all.

I'm hoping you have a good night in Anchorage. Does the hotel have an indoor pool?? If so that always kills at least an hour or so.

I love the idea of the pool, and hanging in the lobby, I'll definately see what we can do,

I love the T-shirts!! Could you tell me who did the Phinneas and Ferb disign?? My little guy loves them!! and my chapter doesn't give him a shirt, so I decided to make him one. Thanks!!

I don't know how to send you her info, so I'm giving you the link to the thread where she sent it to me, I figure then you can PM her maybe? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2409350

How is your other son feeling???

Elijah is great, takes more than a brain bash to slow him down!

Good luck with the shirts, it was super easy, really!

[Maryrn11168]

[QUOTE=yinyanggirls;35710532


Good luck with the shirts, it was super easy, really!

Thanks for the thread!! I actually had found your thread thru the MAW thread and requested some for him. I hope they come out as good as yours!!

[alaskanabbott]

[QUOTE=alaskanabbott;35711634]

Thanks for the thread!! I actually had found your thread thru the MAW thread and requested some for him. I hope they come out as good as yours!!

I loved how they looked on a shirt of a similar color as the background of the design. The only thing that didn't come out right was Phin and Ferb look a little green, since I did it on a green shirt....otherwise, so easy...take pics and share with us your handy work when your done!

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I hope this neuro is able to give you some answers. I understand what it is like to not have a diagnosis. While Ty does have a diagnosis of CP they feel that there is something else going on.

I love your shirts! They turned out really cute!! I hope you get his loaner wheelchair before you leave. That is nice they ordered him a new one. Your plans sound great! You are going to be a good kind of busy!!

[alaskanabbott]

I hope this neuro is able to give you some answers. I understand what it is like to not have a diagnosis. While Ty does have a diagnosis of CP they feel that there is something else going on.

I love your shirts! They turned out really cute!! I hope you get his loaner wheelchair before you leave. That is nice they ordered him a new one. Your plans sound great! You are going to be a good kind of busy!!

James is diagnosed with CP too, but all this new stuff started happening before they had ever done an MRI. They had always figured he fit the part, born premie, had no oxygen for 4 minutes after birth, then had encephilitis and meningitis...after that he was always moderately globaly DD, and was picture perfect for CP...so when they did his MRI last year and saw all the thinning of the white matter and the ischemic injury, they said it was from birth, though now my DR wants them to look closer and be sure it is all explained by CP and nothing new.

I got a call from the wheelchair place and she said we will deff have the chair by next Friday. I'm crossing fingers and toes she's right.
I'm sure we are going to be busy busy busy, but this is our ONE chance to do this, we will never be able to go again with all the kids, so we want to do as much as we can. I looked again at the dinner shows, and I'm thinking we're not going to have time, oh well :)

[alaskanabbott]

This is not wish trip related

We have a state wide competition called "forensics". Not what you see on CSI, it's actually about reciting poetry, or a book, or a passage from a book. There are many different catagories and each school does it. James actually won for his class and is now going on to the Borough Comp today! I'm so nervous I could be sick :eek: He won for reading the book, If you give a Pig a Pancake, and he can't see the words anymore, so he memorized it, but he still gets tripped up pretty easy. He is in pain this morning, and I'm going to just give him some Tylenol until after his recital, because if I give him his meds he'll be in lala land. I'll take some pics, wish us luck!

[yinyanggirls]

Good luck James!!! Great job memorizing the book!

[Wee Annie]

Good luck! We used to have forensics competitions in school too. Way to go James!

And glad the g-tube site is getting better. If you want any tips re how to deal with the lengthy tubing while awaiting replacement by the "button," just let me know.

[snowwhitesmom]

Yeah, James!!! I will be sending good thoughts!

[alaskanabbott]

I should have posted this sooner, but we had a big day today, my DH was baptized and we were celebrating.

James did great, soooo GREAT! He spoke up and read with lots of emotion. He annunciated each word, which can be tricky when you say something my memory, it's easy to just ramble it off. SO did he win?


http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/Picture008.jpg

YES!!! He won...can you believe it! Honestly when we started this we just picked a book he could memorize easy so he could get the grade. All 4th, 5th and 6th grade students have to do something, or they get an "f" for that assignment. When he won at his school I was sort of thinking he had gotten a "pity" win. I know that sounds horrible, but we really thought so. Then when he had to compete, I was so nervous. What a great day for James, HURRAY!

Here he is with the principal of the school he use to attend.

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/Picture007.jpg

He was starting to get pretty tired by now, the whole thing took about 3 hours, and he was ready for a nap.
Thanks for the well wishes!

[yinyanggirls]

:woohoo::woohoo:Woohoo James! Congrats on the win!!!:woohoo::woohoo:

[snowwhitesmom]

Congratulations James!!

[Maryrn11168]

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2Congratulation!!! That is great!!!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Nettaboo]

WOW way to go James!! that is awesome!!!:banana::cool1:

[kellyw8863]

Congratulations! That is great!:cool1:

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Congratulations James!!Great Job!!!

[pnutallergymom]

Way to Go James!!!! Great work!!!!!

[alaskanabbott]

OK I am getting a little excited...I just ordered James' Kindle for the trip...we debated either getting him a Kindle, or an IPOD, but I like that the books for the Kindle are a lot cheaper, about $5 compared to $30, and since James really enjoys books, I think the Kindle is going to be great. Does any one else have one of these? We bought it because James can't read anymore, and it has a feature called Text-To-Speech, where it actually reads the book, or newspaper, magazine, whatever to him.
On the home front, James' g-tube got infected and we were riding the fence about him going back into the hospital, but thank goodness his Ped. knows I'm too overwhelmed for that right now, she is letting us come in for antibiotic injections twice daily, instead, WHEW! I just checked it a few minutes ago and the redness and swelling are so much better, I have no doubt it will be better by Saturday :thumbsup2 ....
I found out that when we get back from Disney James and I are heading back out to the hospital for a while. Apparently our Neurologist, Pediatrician and GI doc conferred last week and decided James needs to be re-admitted to Seattle again, this time focusing on Hem/Onc. I have to admit, this pill is easier to swallow knowing that we have Florida to look forward to first. Even James took the news well. I had been trying very hard to have all his medical done here, because I hate leaving my family, James is tired of hospitals, and just wants to be home, but I guess we'll be going anyway.
I also got a call from the wheelchair place, yes we are STILL waiting, and she said the tracking number shows the chair will be here Friday. We leave out of town Saturday at 5am...so if it isn't here Friday, we're stuck with the crappy chair! But even that is easier to deal with, I mean hey, we'll be in FLORIDA, at Disney World! Hmmm maybe this place really is magical :cheer2:
My hubby took me to lunch yesterday and we made a list of why this is going to be so great
1. It is -10 degrees here today, it will be at least 70 degrees warmer in Florida!
2. No shoveling the driveway at 6am to get the car out of the garage.
3. No doctors appointments
4. No scheduling any appts.
5. No PT, OT, or Speech
6. No driving kids around
7. All of us hanging out together for a whole week.
8. No teenagers on their cell phones during family time! (we don't have roaming)
9. No dishes to wash, toilets to scrub, sheets to wash, or meals to cook for a whole week :cool1:
10. No school meetings, PTA, wrestling practice, Football training, Weight Watchers weigh-ins or Church music practice
11. No one there to ask how James is doing...which I know sounds like it should be a nice thing, but everyday, everywhere we go we run into someone who wants to know "how is James" and you have to either lie, and say fine, or go into a 30 minute dialog...This is my favorite on the list because for a whole week we don't have to talk about being sick!!!!! HURRAY

[pipersmom]

OK I am getting a little excited...I just ordered James' Kindle for the trip...we debated either getting him a Kindle, or an IPOD, but I like that the books for the Kindle are a lot cheaper, about $5 compared to $30, and since James really enjoys books, I think the Kindle is going to be great. Does any one else have one of these? We bought it because James can't read anymore, and it has a feature called Text-To-Speech, where it actually reads the book, or newspaper, magazine, whatever to him.

Amber, he'll LOVE the Kindle..my Aunt likes hers so much she's bought them for other family members!

On the home front, James' g-tube got infected and we were riding the fence about him going back into the hospital, but thank goodness his Ped. knows I'm too overwhelmed for that right now, she is letting us come in for antibiotic injections twice daily, instead, WHEW! I just checked it a few minutes ago and the redness and swelling are so much better, I have no doubt it will be better by Saturday :thumbsup2 ....

I'm sorry you're having to deal with an infection, but glad you're able to do it at home..so much better than being in Club Med!

I found out that when we get back from Disney James and I are heading back out to the hospital for a while. Apparently our Neurologist, Pediatrician and GI doc conferred last week and decided James needs to be re-admitted to Seattle again, this time focusing on Hem/Onc. I have to admit, this pill is easier to swallow knowing that we have Florida to look forward to first. Even James took the news well. I had been trying very hard to have all his medical done here, because I hate leaving my family, James is tired of hospitals, and just wants to be home, but I guess we'll be going anyway.

Hopefully you'll be able to not think about it while you're gone. :hug: I'm so glad you get to have the trip first!

I also got a call from the wheelchair place, yes we are STILL waiting, and she said the tracking number shows the chair will be here Friday. We leave out of town Saturday at 5am...so if it isn't here Friday, we're stuck with the crappy chair! But even that is easier to deal with, I mean hey, we'll be in FLORIDA, at Disney World! Hmmm maybe this place really is magical :cheer2:
My hubby took me to lunch yesterday and we made a list of why this is going to be so great
1. It is -10 degrees here today, it will be at least 70 degrees warmer in Florida!
2. No shoveling the driveway at 6am to get the car out of the garage.
3. No doctors appointments
4. No scheduling any appts.
5. No PT, OT, or Speech
6. No driving kids around
7. All of us hanging out together for a whole week.
8. No teenagers on their cell phones during family time! (we don't have roaming)
9. No dishes to wash, toilets to scrub, sheets to wash, or meals to cook for a whole week :cool1:
10. No school meetings, PTA, wrestling practice, Football training, Weight Watchers weigh-ins or Church music practice
11. No one there to ask how James is doing...which I know sounds like it should be a nice thing, but everyday, everywhere we go we run into someone who wants to know "how is James" and you have to either lie, and say fine, or go into a 30 minute dialog...This is my favorite on the list because for a whole week we don't have to talk about being sick!!!!! HURRAY

I LOVE this! I know people are well intentioned when they ask about our kids' health, but it does get old..I'm totally with you on the "fine" thing, I'm guilty of doing it as well. Make sure you bring some warm clothes..we only had about 2 mornings when we didn't wake up with frost on the rooves! :scared1:

[snowwhitesmom]

yippee! getting close!:yay:

[alaskanabbott]

I LOVE this! I know people are well intentioned when they ask about our kids' health, but it does get old..I'm totally with you on the "fine" thing, I'm guilty of doing it as well. Make sure you bring some warm clothes..we only had about 2 mornings when we didn't wake up with frost on the rooves! :scared1:

I know if anyone would understnad it's another "special" mom! I'm excited about the Kindle, we just found out that we can get audio books off an online place too, so that if Kindle doesn't have it, the audio site may. We paid extra to get it here by Friday, I hope it comes!
So it's frosty eh? Does it warm up in the afternoon? Everyone was bring a pair of pants and a sweater, I may double that. How about swimming at GKTW? My kids want to hit the pool Monday night! Honestly we don't have outside pools here, so they swim at the lakes in the summer...we make them wait until it hits 60 degrees out then it's nothing but lake until October.
I'm so excited for your PTR!

[alaskanabbott]

yippee! getting close!:yay:

Okay, maybe I'm a little excited ;)
I just went for what I hope is the last trip to the store for incidentals. I bought gum, and card games and color books. I went to the library and got each kid a book, and hid them so they don't finish before the trip starts. My DH made me laugh yesterday, he told the kids "And there will be NO reading on this trip, we're eating ice cream, going on rides and playing games, understood?" it sounds silly but my kids will honestly curl up on a couch and ignore the world when they have a new book.

If I don't talk to you sooner...I'll see you later!

[noahsketomom]

Amber,
Soooooo excited for you guys! The warmth, the fun, the carefreeness (is that a word?), the lack of reading (:rotfl:), no worries about avalanches impeding your travel (;))......it will all be so wonderful.... YAY!!! :banana:

Have a FANTASTIC time!!! Can't wait to hear all about it! ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!!!!:cheer2:

Prayers for a safe and amazing trip for all!!

Blessings,

[snowwhitesmom]

Okay, maybe I'm a little excited ;)
I just went for what I hope is the last trip to the store for incidentals. I bought gum, and card games and color books. I went to the library and got each kid a book, and hid them so they don't finish before the trip starts. My DH made me laugh yesterday, he told the kids "And there will be NO reading on this trip, we're eating ice cream, going on rides and playing games, understood?" it sounds silly but my kids will honestly curl up on a couch and ignore the world when they have a new book.

If I don't talk to you sooner...I'll see you later!

;)

[pipersmom]

I know if anyone would understnad it's another "special" mom! I'm excited about the Kindle, we just found out that we can get audio books off an online place too, so that if Kindle doesn't have it, the audio site may. We paid extra to get it here by Friday, I hope it comes!
So it's frosty eh? Does it warm up in the afternoon? Everyone was bring a pair of pants and a sweater, I may double that. How about swimming at GKTW? My kids want to hit the pool Monday night! Honestly we don't have outside pools here, so they swim at the lakes in the summer...we make them wait until it hits 60 degrees out then it's nothing but lake until October.
I'm so excited for your PTR!

It was frosty until our last two days..we started out every morning in sweatshirts, and Piper wore jeans and long sleeve shirts under her outfits some days! The pool was heated to 86 degrees..it was 65 and windy one day and Piper had to swim, so we did..I was freezing outside the water, but in the water it didn't feel as bad. Your kids will prob be fine. Also, I don't know what's forecasted for your week, so your one pair of pants and sweatshirt could be fine!

[Mtopher4]

Sorry about the infection :( Our ped is also nice about Ash's chronic Sinus infections.. better to just medicate than catch something else coming in :(

I will be praying that chair arrives Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 more days :yay::yay::yay::yay:

[yinyanggirls]

I love that you made a list of what is going to be great about the trip.


Honestly we don't have outside pools here, so they swim at the lakes in the summer...we make them wait until it hits 60 degrees out then it's nothing but lake until October.
I'm so excited for your PTR!


Wow, your kids will be in heaven! Here in AZ our neighborhood pool isn't heated so we "can't" swim unless it is about 100F. I'm not kidding. If it's in the 90s there will be a few crazy people in the water but mostly the pool is deserted. I think because it's so dry here the top layer (warmed by the sun) evaporates and disappears so the water really never warms up unless it's scorching hot. And when it is you kinda like the water to be cold. :lmao: Well, enough of AZ weather. I'm so happy for you (and us!) to hear that pool is heated. C'mon Friday!!!

[Wee Annie]

On the home front, James' g-tube got infected and we were riding the fence about him going back into the hospital, but thank goodness his Ped. knows I'm too overwhelmed for that right now, she is letting us come in for antibiotic injections twice daily, instead, WHEW! I just checked it a few minutes ago and the redness and swelling are so much better, I have no doubt it will be better by Saturday :thumbsup2 ....
Sorry to hear about the infection, but glad you're allowed to deal with it from home. After you get the infection under control, you might want to pick up an OTC cream called Calmoseptine. At the first sign of Elke's stoma getting red, weepy, etc, we put it on daily, and it works wonders. I have no idea why it does this, from looking at the ingredients, but it does.


My hubby took me to lunch yesterday and we made a list of why this is going to be so great
1. It is -10 degrees here today, it will be at least 70 degrees warmer in Florida!
2. No shoveling the driveway at 6am to get the car out of the garage.
3. No doctors appointments
4. No scheduling any appts.
5. No PT, OT, or Speech
6. No driving kids around
7. All of us hanging out together for a whole week.
8. No teenagers on their cell phones during family time! (we don't have roaming)
9. No dishes to wash, toilets to scrub, sheets to wash, or meals to cook for a whole week :cool1:
10. No school meetings, PTA, wrestling practice, Football training, Weight Watchers weigh-ins or Church music practice
11. No one there to ask how James is doing...which I know sounds like it should be a nice thing, but everyday, everywhere we go we run into someone who wants to know "how is James" and you have to either lie, and say fine, or go into a 30 minute dialog...This is my favorite on the list because for a whole week we don't have to talk about being sick!!!!! HURRAY

I love your list, and can say a huge "Amen!" to eveything on it!!! (And I can't even imagine what your running around with the kids during the week is like! I only have three....)

And I can totally relate to your point about not wanting to keep on rehashing how James is doing over and over and over and...well, you get the point. When Elke was diagnosed I was literally inundated with phone calls, emails, etc. that I didn't have the ability (or honestly the desire) to answer. So I loved when my BIL set up a Caringbridge site for Elke. It allowed me to keep everyone up to date on her in one fell swoop (much of our family is far away). I also shoot out regular emails updating on her treatment to friends around town, so I don't get caught in every single supermarket aisle going over the same exact thing. It has worked out well.

Have a WONDERFUL time at GKTW!!!!!!!!!!! From the sounds of it, your children will be swimming when the rest of us wussy non-Alaskan folk wouldn't dream of it! (86 degrees is HOT for a pool! Wow! We're lucky when ours is in the low 70s! Pool here we come!)

[maroo]

Awesome!!!

You guys are going to have so much fun!

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Amber I am sorry to hear James has an infection in his gtube. Ty has had infections as well. Here is hoping James infection clears and he has a wonderful trip! Also praying for you all during his hospital stay when you get back.

Have fun on your trip! Hope you all do lots of swimming, meeting all the characters and loving all the shows:cool1: And we will be waiting for your trip report :banana::banana:

[alaskanabbott]

Amber I am sorry to hear James has an infection in his gtube. Ty has had infections as well. Here is hoping James infection clears and he has a wonderful trip! Also praying for you all during his hospital stay when you get back.

Have fun on your trip! Hope you all do lots of swimming, meeting all the characters and loving all the shows:cool1: And we will be waiting for your trip report :banana::banana:

The nurs said something about "granulated tissue" and that if the injections of antibiotics don't help to ask to have the spot cauterized...ever heard of this? Did Ty's get infected more than once? I thought maybe because it's new...do you think the Mickey gets infected as easy?
OK so you said if I had any questions to ask!!! :rotfl:

[Momofwishkid]

Hi Amber, your trip is getting so close!! Your shirts are great I love them. Congrats to James on his win that is so cool. Im so sorry you have to come back to Seattle but hey we might get to meet. :goodvibes
As far as the weather like Amanda said it was starting to warm up toward the end of our trip so hopefully you'll be fine. I would count on have pants and sweaters for night time though. As soon as the sun went down it got COLD even on the nice days.

[Wee Annie]

The nurs said something about "granulated tissue" and that if the injections of antibiotics don't help to ask to have the spot cauterized...ever heard of this? Did Ty's get infected more than once? I thought maybe because it's new...do you think the Mickey gets infected as easy?
OK so you said if I had any questions to ask!!! :rotfl:

Amber, Elke has had problems with granulated tissue here and there. But as mentioned, that Calmoseptine, if applied as soon as I see the problem arising, does wonders. She has had less issues after the tubing was replaced by the Mic-Key button.

[alaskanabbott]

Amber, Elke has had problems with granulated tissue here and there. But as mentioned, that Calmoseptine, if applied as soon as I see the problem arising, does wonders. She has had less issues after the tubing was replaced by the Mic-Key button.

I'll talk to the doc about that...it is much better today, Whew!

[alaskanabbott]

:sick: I've been battling a head cold off and on for about three weeks. It finally cleared up a few days ago, then last night after dinner WHAM :scared1: the flu hit our house! Well not the whole house just Mackenzie, Elijah and of course me! I never get the flu, in fact we all had the flu shot, which made me wonder if we had a little food poisoning, except everyone ate dinner, and only 3 of us got ill. I was hoping to feel better today so I could finish the last minute packing, etc, but I actually feel pretty darn icky. I know by tomorrow it will be gone. My wonderful hubby had my dad come take all the healthy kids to his house, and made the rest of us sicko's soup. I'm in bed...while DH deals with the other two. Actually, it isn't so bad. I have not had this much sleep in years, and I have not done one productive thing all day, and I don't care! I'm going to watch the Princess Bride, then take some NyQuil and call it a night. Tomorrow is our last day in town :banana: which means all the bed making, laundry folding, fridge cleaning is naturally left for tomorrow. I've decided that God blessed me with teen-agers just for this reason, and am doling out their to-do lists tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the last post until we get back...can you believe it already time?

[snowwhitesmom]

Y'all get better quickly!:hug:

[cantwaittoseemickey]

The nurs said something about "granulated tissue" and that if the injections of antibiotics don't help to ask to have the spot cauterized...ever heard of this? Did Ty's get infected more than once? I thought maybe because it's new...do you think the Mickey gets infected as easy?
OK so you said if I had any questions to ask!!! :rotfl:


Granulated tissue is our enemy when it appears.And that is always our goal is to keep it away. The less Ty's leaks around it the less tissue he has. He has had it cauterized a few times when he was having problems with infections when the gran tissue was so bad. It is a q-tip that has this stuff on it that basically burns away the gran tissue. It wasn't too painful for Ty if his stoma wasnt hurting but if his stoma was already hurting then it was uncomfortable.


When Ty first got his gtube(it was called a malecot) within the first 2 weeks it had come out only we didnt know it. We knew something was wrong and he was hurting somewhere but the surgeons we had didn't even care to take the bandages off to look at it. After about the 4th trip there I had had enough and called the ped from the elevator. He had us just stay there and ordered a gtube scan where they put barium through the tube and see if it is in the right place. While we were there we got the call to go straight back up to the surgeons office where he FINALLY took the dressing off and the thing was half way out:scared1:He put a catheter in for a few more weeks until he got the mickey and unfortunately had left him with a very nasty infection. He had MRSA several times and was in and out of the hospital on iv antibiotics until they had to pull the mickey to let it heal and start all over. He also ended up having a tunnel called a fistula so they closed that up. The gi gave him a trial off of the tube but it didnt work so he had the mickey put back in 6mos later. He has had a few infections since then but nothing like he had before. It was a hard road that he went through but it is because of the surgeon not listening to us that something was wrong. But please do not let this scare you. This was our experience. The second time a different surgeon did it and it was a peg tube which was awsome. Then he got his mickey and he has had a few infections but he is prone to infections and always has been since he was very little. We are very cautious with him and at the first thought of an infection we get it cultured at the ped.

His Mickey has been alot easier on the infections. I am going to pm you also.

Anything i can ever do to help questions or anything just let me know;)

[noahsketomom]

All I can think is better now than next week!! But sorry that it had to happen at all!

Hope you guys get better ..... and soon!!

Safe travels --- HAVE AN AWESOME, AWESOME trip!!!:cool1::cool1:

[pnutallergymom]

Hi Amber,

Sorry James is having trouble with his tube. Brigitte had a TON of granulation tissue for a Loooooong time when she first had her tube placed.

We found the best thing was to leave it completely uncovered. We didn't use gauze under the tube at all...found it more irritating. Although I did tape the button to her skin so that it wouldn't move. The movement was what was really aggravating her skin. We did have to cauterize quite a bit to get it under control. The one thing I SWEAR by is called Baby Ease http://www.babyease.us/products/lotions.html After cauterizing her site (I used to do it at home) I would lather her site with this stuff...it is amazing!!! The other thing the doctor might recommend is triamcinolone cream....we found this helpful, but the baby ease was better.
Anytime her site gets a little red (especially after a mic-key change) we use the baby ease and it is perfect in a day. I have had the GI nurses and doctors ask me if it is ok to have parents call me about tube issues because Brigitte's site is the best they have ever seen!!! It is very painful. I'm sorry James is having to deal with this.


On a good news front......4 more days!!!! Are you super excited????? :cool1::cool1:

[alaskanabbott]

we are feeling pretty good!!!
I woke up and while I'm not 100%, I'd say I'm at least 75%...so I guess it's time to finish the packing :goodvibes
Elijah is much better today too, you know how kids are, they bounce much better than we do.
My hubby on his way out the door this morning told me how excited he is about the trip...yay for happy hubby's :lovestruc
I went and got a trim, and am going to get my nails done this afternoon. I wanted to finish packing first :)
Other than that, our wish place called and asked if it would be ok for the news to cover our going away dinner Sunday night, so the kids are all excited that they may be on tv. If it is on the news, I'll send a link so you can check it out. We also found out how much our expense check is and we are so blown away by the generousness of it all. Apparently a board member added to it, and the president asked for a little extra too. I said thank-you about a hundred times, but the words just don't seem to cover how thankful we are...not just the expense check, or the trip, but how wonderful they have been. I feel like the wish co-ordinator is now a part of our family, he is so loving and helpful.
I'm not sure about posting later today, we leave in the morning for Anchorage, then have Macylea's wrestling tourny, then are staying at a hotel. We have the going away dinner at 6pm Sunday, then on our way to the airport.

[Mtopher4]

Amber.. I'm so glad you all are doing better. :-)

Your so close..I can taste it :lmao:

I can't wait to see pics and how exciting you may be on TV :-)

Have fun packing :hug::hug:

[pipersmom]

I am so happy everything has come together so well for your trip, I know you guys are going to have a blast! Hooray for a great expense check!! :banana: :banana: If I don't see you tomorrow...

HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!!!

[Maryrn11168]

Have a great trip:cool1::cool1:
Here is a little pixie dust to help you feel betterpixiedust:pixiedust:

[kellyw8863]

Ali's doctors always ask us how we keep her site looking so good and I'm almost embarrassed to respond, "Nothing. We do absolutely nothing." Usually, I don't even clean it unless she's in the tub.:rolleyes1 If it does need to be cleaned, I just use plain water and a piece of gauze. Then, I leave it uncovered. And while we've had some issues with yeast, she's never had granulation tissue or an infection. I think the key with the PEG is to keep it secured so that it's not moving around. And, make sure that it's not pulled too firmly to the side. After we taped it to her belly, we used to cover everything with something called Spandage.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l71/kellyw8863/12004E.jpg

I'd cut off a piece about seven inches long and then just pull it up to her waist and tuck the tubing inside so it wouldn't flop around or get caught on something.

I hope you're feeling better - only a couple of more days!:woohoo:

[Momofwishkid]

Just wanted to pop in and say hope your all feeling better and Have a Blast on your trip!!

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Just wanted to say HAVE A GREAT TRIP:banana::cool1::cool1::cool1:

[yinyanggirls]

Bummer, I somehow missed the last few days on here. I can't believe you got the flu right before you were to leave! (I got a *possible* pneumonia diagnosis today and one of my first thoughts was, well as long as it's gone before our trip!) :lmao:

How awesome that your chapter just went above and beyond for your check. It helps reduce that stress level I'm sure! Hope you guys are having a blast!

[The Lurker]

I was lucky again today and got to see James and his family this morning at GKTW. The had a rather long and "interesting" trip (I will let her share the details about the interesting part with you), but when I saw them they assured me all was well and there are having a wonderful time. They are another wonderful family.

Katie

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Oh I hope they are having a great time. It is so neat how all of these families are getting to meet people from the dis boards. I hope everything went ok with your trip there!

Hope you are all having a great time! I can't wait to read your trip report!!

[cajunfan]

I missed saying HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

Well, I hope that everyone is having a great time! I can't wait to hear all about it.

Lynn

[maroo]

I was lucky again today and got to see James and his family this morning at GKTW. The had a rather long and "interesting" trip (I will let her share the details about the interesting part with you), but when I saw them they assured me all was well and there are having a wonderful time. They are another wonderful family.

Katie

popcorn::

And Katie...I need to meet you!

PM me! :)

[pnutallergymom]

Can't wait to hear how the trip went!!!!!!

[cajunfan]

WELCOME BACK!!!


Can't wait to read all about the trip!


Lynn

[15isto2]

But this was actually a quick, fun, easy and best of all, cheap project. Cost me $19 to make 4 shirts and I still have three transfer sheets left!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts001.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts002.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts003.jpg
http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/shirts004.jpg

I love the shirts

[Mtopher4]

Welcome back !@!!!!

Can't wait to hear all about it :-)

[Momofwishkid]

Welcome Home!! Im waiting patientley to hear all about it. :goodvibes Hope you all had a blast.

[Maryrn11168]

Back already??? Seems so fast!!! Can't wait to read the trip report!!

[kellyw8863]

Welcome back!

[alaskanabbott]

I spent yesterday sleeping...whoever said that the jet lag is worse coming back was right on target! We all we're whipped and couldn't do much but sleep. Kids went back to school today and now I'm unpacking...ugh! So I guess it's time for my TR? Is there any rules about what I can't tell about the trip and GKTW? Just as a heads up, I'll probably spoil any surprises so if that isn't for you, don't read :goodvibes

[noahsketomom]

YAY!! Welcome back home!!! :banana:

OOOOOOH --- I'll be so excited to read your TR!! I can't wait!!!

Hope you all had a fantastic time!!!! :thumbsup2

[pacrosby]

Hey welcome back!!!!

As far as rules are concerned..............there are none. Write as much or as little as you like. While I've enjoyed sharing with everyone here I've really been writing my trip report for me and my family; something we'll have forever to remember the everyday details of the trip which would otherwise inevitably fade with time (I'm printing out my posts). So leaving stuff out really wouldn't make any sense. I'm pretty sure that when people read the TR's they fully understand that they are getting an inside look.

Looking forward to hearing all about it (and seeing your px!)

[snowwhitesmom]

Welcome back! Hope you had fun!

[yinyanggirls]

Welcome home! I bet you're exhausted - long, fun trip and then the travel home!
Can't wait until you get started on your report!

[pnutallergymom]

Rest up and get the TR started!!!

BTW....I LOVE spoilers!!!! ;)

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Looking forward to reading your tr:cool1: Welcome back!!!

[alaskanabbott]

Here it is, the begining of the TR

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35979190#post35979190

[alaskanabbott]

OK since none of those pics showed me, here's one the kids took at the airport.

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n365/caelansmom/DisneyWorld070-1.jpg

I'm just finishing up todays TR and will post it soon

[visitingapril09]

We just got our ticket confirmation...so now we know when we travel, hurray!
Looks like we're leaving out of Anchorage at 1:30am on March 15 and we get to Orlando at 5:30pm. We had thought the tickets would be from our town, but instead it looks like we are going to drive to Anch, about a 3 hour drive, whew...so with the 2 hours you need to check in early, looks like we will start out for WDW at around 5pm on March 14th, making our total travel time 24hours. You know what? WHO CARES...we're going to Disney World!!!!
AND.....we fly back March 22, leaving at 8:30am.

You fly back the day we arrive. I think we should pass in midair somewhere over Colorado perhaps!!

[alaskanabbott]

You fly back the day we arrive. I think we should pass in midair somewhere over Colorado perhaps!!

hehe, that was last March! have a great trip :)