Joey's Wish Trip - PTR - Nov 28 - Dec 5

[icecreamforbreakfast]

I discovered this site while looking for info on MAW trips and GKTW and after reading several families stories I thought I'd add my own and hopefully get some answers in the process.

I'll start with Joey's story ...

Last September Joey had a cold, he got over it except for the cough, it had been lingering for about a month. Then one weekend he had a high fever and was very lethargic. It was a long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) so I waited until Tuesday to take him to the clinic. He didn't seem all that sick, but I wanted to be sure he didn't have pneumonia or H1N1 which was very active at the time. The doctor sent him for a chest x-ray and after I pointed out that he had bruised eyelids (which I thought were caused by the high fever) and a couple of small bruises on his chest he sent him for blood work as well.

By lunchtime I was done at the lab and picked up my other kids and headed home. When we walked in the door the phone was ringing, it was the doctor and he told me it looked like Joey had leukemia, to go to the local hospital and that we would be flown to the Children's Hospital (about 4 hours away) that day for a stay of about 7-10 days. I tearfully said goodbye to our other kids (who stayed with an amazing friend who would continue to "mother" them while I was away with Joey) and headed to the hospital.

That evening Joey was admitted to the Children's Hospital and by midnight that night he was in the PICU sedated, intubated and a ventilator was breathing for him due to respiratory distress. Joey spent 6 days in the PICU before returning to the oncology ward where he remained an in-patient for the next 5 months.

Joey was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia which is not the typical childhood leukemia and during treatment was further diagnosed with a gene mutation within the leukemia cells that meant he needed to have a stem cell transplant as he wasn't responding to chemo alone. We have 3 other children, but none of them were a match, thankfully a donor was found and after tons of chemo and total body radiation Joey had his transplant on Feb 15/2010.

About a month after transplant Joey was discharged from the hospital, but we were not allowed to return home for another 2 1/2 months. So Joey and I lived at Ronald McDonald House and continued to enjoy visits from my husband and our other kids every weekend they could.

Early on in treatment Joey's oncologist told him that when he was all done he could "make a wish" and that some kids wish to go to Disneyworld and while they are there they stay at a village where you can eat icecream for breakfast! Well, Joey wouldn't consider anything else for his wish as Dr.Rod had told him he could go to Disney. That's fine with us we are all looking forward to a magical week togther!

That's Joey's story (in a nutshell of course) and also explains my username. Our family consists of myself (Lynette), my husband (Kelly), Samantha (12), Isaac (9), Shaelyn (7) and our baby and wish child Joey (4)

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

Here's a picture of Joey 100 days post transplant with a cake that the staff at Ronald McDonald House got for him to help celebrate the milestone.

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

So, we are going November 28th - December 5th. We will be staying at GKTW.

November 28th - Sunday -Leave home at 5am for flight at 7am arrive in Orlando at 7:25pm

November 29th - Monday -will need to attend orentation that day and will be suffering from jetleg due to 3 hour time change so not sure how much to plan, maybe just hang out in village

November 30th - Tuesday

December 1st - Wednesday - definately MK day as it is a night with fireworks and parade

December 2nd - Thursday

December 3rd - Friday - whatever we do this day will be up to our 7 year old as it is her 1/2 birthday!

December 4th - Saturday - last day, so whatever we've missed

December 5th - Sunday - start trip home with 7am flight - 8 hour layover then another stop and finally get home at 9:35pm loooong day!

We obviously don't have much planned yet. Is there better days to visit certain parks? Is there any that would only warrant a few hours rather then a full day? Time to get a more plans rolling ...

 

[kissesbykim]

Can't wait to follow your PTR! I'm glad to hear that your little guy is doing well. My son has ALL. Congrats on his wish, he will have a great time! The whole family deserves it for all you've been through.

 

[J'sMum]

What a beautiful young man you have and such strength. Thank you for sharing that with us. Congrats on trip, looking forward to reading your PTR and following along. Glad you have found this place, It's been a godsend for me thats for sure, Wonderful people, everyone and great place to vent when you need to as well while planning and celebrating YOu can ask anything at all here ! and if someone does not have an answer (doesn't happen often) everyone will be willing to help you find it so Enjoy planning and ask away !

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Hi and . What a handsome little guy Joey is. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

So, we are going November 28th - December 5th. We will be staying at GKTW.

November 28th - Sunday -Leave home at 5am for flight at 7am arrive in Orlando at 7:25pm

November 29th - Monday -will need to attend orentation that day and will be suffering from jetleg due to 3 hour time change so not sure how much to plan, maybe just hang out in village

November 30th - Tuesday

December 1st - Wednesday - definately MK day as it is a night with fireworks and parade

December 2nd - Thursday

December 3rd - Friday - whatever we do this day will be up to our 7 year old as it is her 1/2 birthday!

December 4th - Saturday - last day, so whatever we've missed

December 5th - Sunday - start trip home with 7am flight - 8 hour layover then another stop and finally get home at 9:35pm loooong day!

We obviously don't have much planned yet. Is there better days to visit certain parks? Is there any that would only warrant a few hours rather then a full day? Time to get a more plans rolling ...

We are 3 hours time change from Florida too and it was easier adjusting to 3 hour ahead than when we came home. That was hard. You maybe able to do something that day. I hope that made since.

 

[xanphylus]

Hi! Welcome to the Wish Boards! You're kiddo is a cutie! I bet the others are too. Can't wait to read more and try to help with questions. I don't know much, but I can try!

 

[billwendy]

Hi!!

What a cutiepie he is!!! How are his siblings doing????? Do they all know about the trip yet?

Wendy

 

[maroo]

to the DISboards and the Wish Trippers Pre-Trippie group!

(I totally just made that up!)

Anyway...I listed you guys on the Wish Trippers thread!

 

[fulseasmama]

Welcome!!!! Joey sure looks like a sweet boy and I am so glad he gets to have his wish come true. My daughter is also an AML survivor and we are looking forward to our trip in February. I look forward to following as you plan your trip. All my best to your family.

 

[rcq925]

Welcome to the Wish Tripper Thread!!

Joey has been through a lot in his short life and certainly deserves to eat ice cream for breakfast!! I am so glad you and the entire family will be able to spend a relaxing week together, having fun, after being apart for so long!

That must have been so hard for all of you!

I am subbing to your PTR. We will be at GKTW from November 14th to the 20th, so just shortly before you!

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

Thank you so much everyone for the very warm welcome to the boards! We are so excited about our trip, never having been to Disney I am at a loss as to how much planning to do for each day.

One thing I am wondering though MVMCP is it worth over $300 for our family to attend. Is it something that extra special? I am also worried that we will shell out a ton of cash for tickets and then Joey will be to worn out to enjoy it. Does anyone have any experiences to share that would help us decide one way or the other?

 

[maroo]

It is hard to say on the party...go with your gut on deciding about it.

Totally depends on what you think you guys will get out of it.

Here are the PRO's - specific to wish families - you can find a lot more info about the party itself somewhere else - these are just my thoughts as it specifically relates to the wish part of the trip!!

- As a wish family you only get 3 Disney Days...so it is a cheaper way to get a 4th day. You can get in the park at 4 PM and then it is open until midnight. If you purchased a 4th park day, then it would cost a lot more than the party ticket
- The characters are all dressed up and it is so cool - and as a wish family you can "break" most character lines - so it is sort of a cool party perk, since the characters are a big draw for a lot of people
- They have an excellent Christmas Parade that you can only see at the Party (unless you are going to be there the week of Christmas itself) and the characters, if they can see you are a wish family (by your shirts, etc) will tend to try to pay you special attention


The CON's -

- It is a late night! Definitely would not do it if your child can't stay up late to enjoy it. (Do remember it is EST time, though...so if you are from a different time zone, then it may seem later or may seem earlier - for me, for example, it is only 11 on my body time, so it doesn't seem so late)
- It is expensive and you might have something more exciting to spend the extra money on
- There is a LOT...a TON of things you can do on a wish trip that are fun and free to enjoy
- Make SURE that you don't choose to do the Disney Party on the night where there is a fun party at GKTW that you would not want to miss.
- There is an obvious disadvantage if you don't celebrate Christmas...

I have seen some families opt to do the Disney party for the wish trip perks that they get and "save" some of the GKTW activities for when they return to Disney - but that assumes that you will be able to make it back.


On this - and anything else on the trip - go with your gut. What is great for some families doesn't work for others. Only you know what your family would be able to do and enjoy.

 

[visitingapril09]

Hi there, definitely have to sub on this one. A 'local' family!!!

We are in the Greater Vancouver area and our son had his Wish trip through make a wish BC in 04. We are returning to Disneyworld in March! Seven year itch you could say!

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

It is hard to say on the party...go with your gut on deciding about it.

Totally depends on what you think you guys will get out of it.

Here are the PRO's - specific to wish families - you can find a lot more info about the party itself somewhere else - these are just my thoughts as it specifically relates to the wish part of the trip!!

- As a wish family you only get 3 Disney Days...so it is a cheaper way to get a 4th day. You can get in the park at 4 PM and then it is open until midnight. If you purchased a 4th park day, then it would cost a lot more than the party ticket
- The characters are all dressed up and it is so cool - and as a wish family you can "break" most character lines - so it is sort of a cool party perk, since the characters are a big draw for a lot of people
- They have an excellent Christmas Parade that you can only see at the Party (unless you are going to be there the week of Christmas itself) and the characters, if they can see you are a wish family (by your shirts, etc) will tend to try to pay you special attention


The CON's -

- It is a late night! Definitely would not do it if your child can't stay up late to enjoy it. (Do remember it is EST time, though...so if you are from a different time zone, then it may seem later or may seem earlier - for me, for example, it is only 11 on my body time, so it doesn't seem so late)
- It is expensive and you might have something more exciting to spend the extra money on
- There is a LOT...a TON of things you can do on a wish trip that are fun and free to enjoy
- Make SURE that you don't choose to do the Disney Party on the night where there is a fun party at GKTW that you would not want to miss.
- There is an obvious disadvantage if you don't celebrate Christmas...

I have seen some families opt to do the Disney party for the wish trip perks that they get and "save" some of the GKTW activities for when they return to Disney - but that assumes that you will be able to make it back.


On this - and anything else on the trip - go with your gut. What is great for some families doesn't work for others. Only you know what your family would be able to do and enjoy.

Thanks for a great answer Thanks to your advice we are thinking that maybe we will plan to do this on the day after we arrive as our bodies will probably still be 3 hours behind and we will probably sleep in in the morning and not be ready for bed until late. This sounds like a good way to get the extra Disney day in and the MVMCP!

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

I thought I should add a family picture so you could all see everyone who is going. We are so excited that we were asked to be a recepient family for the Big Give too! (yes, we are all bananas -lol!)

I have a few more questions ...

can you easily take snacks into the parks - what about a meal?
does MVMCP sell out early or can we delay buying tickets until a few days before we go?
what about Cirque de Soleil? worth going? can you buy tickets real close to the show date?

 

[billwendy]

I thought I should add a family picture so you could all see everyone who is going. We are so excited that we were asked to be a recepient family for the Big Give too! (yes, we are all bananas -lol!)

I have a few more questions ...

can you easily take snacks into the parks - what about a meal?
does MVMCP sell out early or can we delay buying tickets until a few days before we go?
what about Cirque de Soleil? worth going? can you buy tickets real close to the show date?

What an adorable Family!!! We have never had an issue taking snacks into the parks - never tried a whole meal (but have done sandwiches)...you are allowed a soft sided cooler I think....anyone know for sure????

 

[cajunfan]

I would think that MVMCP won't sell out for the time frame that you are going to be there, but I would certainly get them as soon as possible...I will also do some "digging" around to make sure that there is nothing going on that week that may impact that...

As for Cirque, I have never been to La Nouba, but oh my...if you can afford it, it is so worth seeing a Cirque show in person. I was lucky enough to see a performance here in Nashville, and it was absolutely spectacular!! I am so waiting for them to come back here. If I ever make it out to Vegas, that is one of the things I would love to do...go to all the Cirque performances they have there. That being said, I know it is not for everyone...it is definitely not your normal "circus"!

Lynn

 

[noahdove]

You can take all the snacks and drinks that you want into the parks. I have seen families with p.butter sandwiches etc. Enjoy this special time with your family..