I Kicked it I Played it and now..Wheeling & Dealing at the WL final 9/9 p87/88

[SoonerGirl]

Hi there, coming over from the post you left on my TR. There were so many of us DISers there that week!

Sorry to hear about the struggles you were having with your DS, knowing what to do with teenagers is baffling enough, I can't imagine trying to figure out what was going on in your situation. So glad that the medication seems to be helping!

I have a Canon Rebel as well, but have no idea how to use it I really need to take a class, of course I've been saying that for a year and a half.......

[kcandbella]

I'm joining in, too! Can't wait to read all about your adventures that week!

[klacey1]

Joining in! Excited to follow along!

[Lady Lallie]

Yay! Another Mary Ellen trip report!!

I'm sorry you had so much stress with Brian leading up to your trip but I am so happy things seem to be looking up now.

Beauuuuuuutiful shots with your new camera!

[aharbin88]

Hi there! I'm subbing in, too!

Originally Posted by MEK

Does a Tripod Help? Well, Yes...I think it does!

Ooh! That's good to know! I have been trying to figure out how to take good fireworks pictures, so it's good to know that a tripod really helps. Someone else on here had mentioned that they're almost required for really good night pics, if I'm remembering correctly.

So, if you don't mind me asking, what all is involved in the testing for ADD? Was it rough for Brian?

[KathyRN137]

Hi Mary Ellen! Welcome back!

Glad to hear Brian is doing better...

Those pix are gorgeous! Can't wait to see/read more!


Kathy

[dawnbu40]

Aww thanks for the 5 legged goat picture!!

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm fairly new on the Dis boards & am enjoying meeting the members online. I found this site last July & lurked awhile, got so much useful info before my last trip. After we got back I decides to join since I couldn't stay away. I enjoy reading as many TRs as I can. So here I am for yours Mary Ellen.

Doris

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Disneymoon09

I'm here! I have looked forward to this one. My sister and her family were there at the same time!

Welcome Disneymoon09! I checked out your TR this morning and I had to tear myself away. What great fun! Thanks for joining in!

Originally Posted by IluvXU

I am in too. I love it when I find things beginning. I can only imagine all the worrying and struggles with Brian. Any time medication and diagnosis are happening it is hard. I think as a teacher you sometimes don't put all the pieces together, coming up with different reasons why children perform/act as they do. I have a student this year who I have really struggled to understand... and now after a year I think she is ADD, just not the typical one you see.

Glad you got the Wl at the seven month window too...

Welcome IluvXU! Thanks so much for joining in. I totally agree with having to put the pieces together. Its hard to do whether your a parent or a teacher when a kid displays the softer signs of ADD. I kept thinking if he had ADD or ADHD he would be getting into trouble at school, but that didn't really happen. He did, however, have way too many behavior and dress code detentions - forgetting his belt, wearing a sweatshirt, not shaving. It just all started to add up this year and its been an eye opening education.

Getting WL at 7 months was so great. I see you have your first DVC trip in a month! That is so exciting. I love DVC! No regrets whatsoever!

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

Hi there, coming over from the post you left on my TR. There were so many of us DISers there that week!

Welcome SoonerGirl! Thanks for joining in. I really wish I could have made it to the Cinco de Mayo meet, but I wasn't able to drink and I knew I could never make it there without alcohol - it would have been pure torture!

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

Sorry to hear about the struggles you were having with your DS, knowing what to do with teenagers is baffling enough, I can't imagine trying to figure out what was going on in your situation. So glad that the medication seems to be helping!

Thanks. It's definately a work in progress, but I feel so much more optomistic about Brian's behavior than I did even a month ago. We were basically at our wit's end and so exhausted from dealing with his disruptive behavior.

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

I have a Canon Rebel as well, but have no idea how to use it I really need to take a class, of course I've been saying that for a year and a half.......

I hear ya! I need a class, too! But probably the best I'll get our educational videos on youtube.

Originally Posted by kcandbella

I'm joining in, too! Can't wait to read all about your adventures that week!

Welcome kcandbella! thanks for joining in. I see you are another Diser who visited the same time I did. Cool. Can't wait to read all about your trip!

Originally Posted by klacey1

Joining in! Excited to follow along!

Welcome klacey1! So happy to have you joining in and I see that you have not one, but TWO upcoming trips this summer. Lucky you!!!!!! WL was very nice and if you stick with me till the end (or until you leave) I will be sure to tell you something that you will definately want to take advantage of during your visit. It is something that is best appreciated by a true Diser!

Originally Posted by Lady Lallie

Yay! Another Mary Ellen trip report!!

I'm sorry you had so much stress with Brian leading up to your trip but I am so happy things seem to be looking up now.

Beauuuuuuutiful shots with your new camera!

Welcome LL! I miss ya girl and I see you have a trip planned for late September. I love those dates. that's when I really want to go, but I am going two weeks earlier with my friend from work. Dates are not negotiable, , but I'm just happy to be going back.

Thanks for the support with the whole Brian drama. It's tough....one day at a time.

Well, considering you and Paula (who are both my favorite photographers) like pictures, I feel pretty darn good! thanks!

Originally Posted by aharbin88

Hi there! I'm subbing in, too!



Ooh! That's good to know! I have been trying to figure out how to take good fireworks pictures, so it's good to know that a tripod really helps. Someone else on here had mentioned that they're almost required for really good night pics, if I'm remembering correctly.

Welcome aharbin88! Thanks for joining in. The tripod was a bit of a pain to carry around. I only did it one evening, but it definately helped stabilize the camera. I wish I had brought it to Illuminations. I really needed it there.

Originally Posted by aharbin88

So, if you don't mind me asking, what all is involved in the testing for ADD? Was it rough for Brian?

Brian's testing was pretty easy, actually. I think there might be centers which use a more comprehensive approach, but I took him to a practice which does all type of adolscent psychology. Basically, he had one or one time with a counselor, he filled out a lengthy questionnaire, I filled out a questionnaire pertaining to ADD in women, and all of his teachers were asked to fill out an evaluation. Then the results of everything was shared with Brian and me. It wasn't too difficult to come up with the diagnosis. Actually, I joked that practically anyone could get an ADD diagnosis if they answered those questions in a certain way. Brian did not like going to the counselor at first and he became very oppositional on some of our trips there, but I think he knew he needed to be there. Remember, he had already experienced the benefits of medication when he took his friends (which I certainly am not supporting, but it proved a point to him).

So the process is not horrible and its the impusivity of ADD that has been causing Brian to be so oppositional. It's a learning experience, we still have a lot to accomplish, and I am using an excellent on line resource for parent training for oppositional teens. I do feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Originally Posted by KathyRN137

Hi Mary Ellen! Welcome back!

Glad to hear Brian is doing better...

Those pix are gorgeous! Can't wait to see/read more!


Kathy

Welcome Kathy! Thanks for joining in. I am so happy to have you here. Thanks for the compliment on the pics and the support for Brian!

Originally Posted by dawnbu40

Aww thanks for the 5 legged goat picture!!

As soon as I saw the 5 legged goat I thought immediately of you and Caitlin!

[KatMark]

Although I was mostly a lurker on your last trip report, I do enjoy your reports and am here for this one as well.

[MEK]

Originally Posted by Wicket's Mom

I'm fairly new on the Dis boards & am enjoying meeting the members online. I found this site last July & lurked awhile, got so much useful info before my last trip. After we got back I decides to join since I couldn't stay away. I enjoy reading as many TRs as I can. So here I am for yours Mary Ellen.

Doris

Welcome Wicket's Mom! I remember your online name from my last TR. I love that name! So glad you are following along for this one. I am hoping to keep this TR going until I hit the Outer Banks this summer and until I go back to Disney in September. Hopefully I will have enough material for that!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Although I was mostly a lurker on your last trip report, I do enjoy your reports and am here for this one as well.

Welcome KatMark! I have seen you name all over this here Disboards and I am certainly excited that you will be following my TR from the beginning! It's so cool to get to know some former lurkers!

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by MEK

Welcome KatMark! I have seen you name all over this here Disboards

Not sure if that is a good thing or not.

[MEK]

Disclaimer: This Update Contains Medical Information that may not be for the faint of heart. What's that warning they use on TV before they present Medical Mysteries, Dr. G, and other similar programs????

Heck. I forget, but I am sure shocker knows. He knows all the answers that can be found in a single pictorial display.

Any how.....I just want to give a big welcome to everyone who has subbed in for this TR. It's so fun to have new readers and old friends alike.

So, since I never do pre-trip reports I couldn't chronicle my pre-trip drama. But, honestly, would have really wanted to hear it????? I think NOT! But just so you are all caught up, I have to give you a few more pre trip details. I know you haven't met the entire cast yet. You know me. You know Denny, my directionless DH. But you haven't met Chuck & Cathy yet. They are friends that we have know forever. Back in the day Chuck used to date one of my coworkers and Denny used to be in a Dewey Bch house with chuck. It was just logical that we would all meet. In fact, it was Chuck who actually introduced me to my modern day DH. That was how many years ago? Too many to count

OK. I am already digressing. So about a month leading up to the trip I had prepped chuck and cathy on our itinerary. We had flights, they had links to the lovely pictures of the WL and the VWL, and they had links to all the restaurants we would be dining at. They were set. They knew we had some Brian drama going on. They knew that Denny might have to cancel. They knew I had already called member services on Day 35 to see what one bedroom villas were available. If Denny was going to cancel then I darn well better bank the extra points. The three of us didn't need a 2BR villa. I am not that point rich.

But Denny and I really wanted to stay at the WL. We decided not to cancel and day 30 came and went without incident. Or did it???????

Our Day 30 was Good Friday. During that week Ellen (Podsnel) and I had been exchanging pms. She was in the outer banks with her two youngest boys, Timmy and Tyler. She was planning on driving through Delaware the Saturday before Easter. So we set up tentative plans to meet, but then Ellen decided she needed to get straight home because one of the boys had an afternoon baseball game. Well, when that baseball game got moved to early afternoon or late morning, ellen decided she didn't stand a chance of getting there in time. So she called me on Saturday to see if I still wanted to meet.

Heck Yeah I did! I missed her call, then she missed mine, but we finally arranged an afternoon meet at the Friendly's in Middletown, Delaware. I was stoked to meet Ellen. She is super nice and is just like I thought she would be. He boys were so polite and well behaved. They dug into their Friendly's food (what kid doesn't like Friendly's) while we had ice cream. It was a lovely meet, and with one month until our respective trips, I'm glad we had the opportunity to do it. Ellen and the boys had to leave all too soon, but they still had another 2 1/2 hrs to travel before they arrived home.

After Ellen left, when I got home I had to rehearse some music for the Easter vigil at our church. I am a music minister in a Catholic church and Holy week is HUGE for music. I wasn't going to attend the vigil, but my music director gently persuaded me. The mass was at 8pm and around 7pm I decided a better eat a few bite of something to hold me over for the 3 hour liturgy. Right after I had a sandwich I started to feel a bit naseous. I blammed it on nerves and that unsettled feeling finally went away once the mass started. For the next three hours I wrapped up in the music. I mostly played my flute, but did have to sing one of the psalms.

The mass flew by. I felt like I did a good job and I get several compliments on the psalm I sang. I was feeling pretty good when I got home that night. I was starving and a ate a small piece of Denny's left over sub. And Then It was OOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!

Can I just say that within 3 minutes of eating I knew that something was terribly, terribly wrong. Now here's where the nasty comes in. I debated wether or not to share, but I decided to go for it. I tend to have IBS and some GI issues, so the stomach cramps I was experiencing did not concern me. I just wanted to "get the show on the road", so to speak. I figured once I was done expelling whatever evil demon had taken hold of my GI track, I would be fine.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Whatever was wrong with me had me spewing from both ends and up most of the night. Still, I was optimistic that by morning I would be fine, fine, fine! NOT! I was still pretty sick. I was no longer vomiting but the "D" took a tool on me. I canceled everything for Easter sunday. I had a few good hours between 1pm and 3pm and then the evil "D" came back with a vengence. By dinner time I noticed that the evil "D" looked a little red tinged. Must be my imagination I thought. By 730pm I could not longer pass the red "D" as my imagination or the remnants of a cherry drink. I called Denny for confirmation and he said, "Let's go to the hospital now".

So off we went. I tried to go to the larger tertiary care hospital closer to my house, but the waiting room was packed. We did a drive by and I told Denny just to keep on driving to the hospital I work for, It was a smart choice. They got me in an exam room in minutes. Asking to see evidence of my GI bleed, they quickly decided that I needed a Cat Scan and that I probably had diverticulitis. I knew this was no diverticulitis. I was certain I had Ecoli01357 or whatever that horrible stuff is. The ER doc declared me overly dramatic.

Now imagine being sick for almost 24 hours and having to drink the Bari-cat (contrast medium) that needs to be injested prior to the procedure. Not fun! Not surprisingly, my Cat scan did not show diverticulitis. It showed colitis, likely from bacterial infection.

So I bought myself two nights in the hospital and a 14 day course of Flagyl. I tested positive for an infectious type of "D" that can be acquired from the hospital setting. Since I work in a hospital it is presumed that I contracted it there.

For all of you that have met me, I swear I am not contagious, just highly unlucky. When I finally got home from the hospital I was so relieved to be out of there. I hated every single dose of the Flagyl because you absolutely CAN NOT drink on Flagyl. You will get deathly ill. Plus I felt so tired and wiped out. I was starting to wonder if I would ever feel healthy again.

Finally, about 10 days before I was due to leave for Disney I started feeling "back to normal". That was a huge occasion! So with a prescription in hand in case of relapse of the Evil D, I was READY to go.

So that's my saga. Andy why did I choose to tell you about this. Well, you are just going to have to stick around to find out!

Next Up.....Something critical is missing 1/2hr before its time to leave for the airport. Any quesses?

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by MEK

Disclaimer: This Update Contains Medical Information that may not be for the faint of heart. What's that warning they use on TV before they present Medical Mysteries, Dr. G, and other similar programs????

Heck. I forget, but I am sure shocker knows. He knows all the answers that can be found in a single pictorial display.

Any how.....I just want to give a big welcome to everyone who has subbed in for this TR. It's so fun to have new readers and old friends alike.

So, since I never do pre-trip reports I couldn't chronicle my pre-trip drama. But, honestly, would have really wanted to hear it????? I think NOT! But just so you are all caught up, I have to give you a few more pre trip details. I know you haven't met the entire cast yet. You know me. You know Denny, my directionless DH. But you haven't met Chuck & Cathy yet. They are friends that we have know forever. Back in the day Chuck used to date one of my coworkers and Denny used to be in a Dewey Bch house with chuck. It was just logical that we would all meet. In fact, it was Chuck who actually introduced me to my modern day DH. That was how many years ago? Too many to count

OK. I am already digressing. So about a month leading up to the trip I had prepped chuck and cathy on our itinerary. We had flights, they had links to the lovely pictures of the WL and the VWL, and they had links to all the restaurants we would be dining at. They were set. They knew we had some Brian drama going on. They knew that Denny might have to cancel. They knew I had already called member services on Day 35 to see what one bedroom villas were available. If Denny was going to cancel then I darn well better bank the extra points. The three of us didn't need a 2BR villa. I am not that point rich.

But Denny and I really wanted to stay at the WL. We decided not to cancel and day 30 came and went without incident. Or did it???????

Our Day 30 was Good Friday. During that week Ellen (Podsnel) and I had been exchanging pms. She was in the outer banks with her two youngest boys, Timmy and Tyler. She was planning on driving through Delaware the Saturday before Easter. So we set up tentative plans to meet, but then Ellen decided she needed to get straight home because one of the boys had an afternoon baseball game. Well, when that baseball game got moved to early afternoon or late morning, ellen decided she didn't stand a chance of getting there in time. So she called me on Saturday to see if I still wanted to meet.

Heck Yeah I did! I missed her call, then she missed mine, but we finally arranged an afternoon meet at the Friendly's in Middletown, Delaware. I was stoked to meet Ellen. She is super nice and is just like I thought she would be. He boys were so polite and well behaved. They dug into their Friendly's food (what kid doesn't like Friendly's) while we had ice cream. It was a lovely meet, and with one month until our respective trips, I'm glad we had the opportunity to do it. Ellen and the boys had to leave all too soon, but they still had another 2 1/2 hrs to travel before they arrived home.

After Ellen left, when I got home I had to rehearse some music for the Easter vigil at our church. I am a music minister in a Catholic church and Holy week is HUGE for music. I wasn't going to attend the vigil, but my music director gently persuaded me. The mass was at 8pm and around 7pm I decided a better eat a few bite of something to hold me over for the 3 hour liturgy. Right after I had a sandwich I started to feel a bit naseous. I blammed it on nerves and that unsettled feeling finally went away once the mass started. For the next three hours I wrapped up in the music. I mostly played my flute, but did have to sing one of the psalms.

The mass flew by. I felt like I did a good job and I get several compliments on the psalm I sang. I was feeling pretty good when I got home that night. I was starving and a ate a small piece of Denny's left over sub. And Then It was OOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!

Can I just say that within 3 minutes of eating I knew that something was terribly, terribly wrong. Now here's where the nasty comes in. I debated wether or not to share, but I decided to go for it. I tend to have IBS and some GI issues, so the stomach cramps I was experiencing did not concern me. I just wanted to "get the show on the road", so to speak. I figured once I was done expelling whatever evil demon had taken hold of my GI track, I would be fine.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Whatever was wrong with me had me spewing from both ends and up most of the night. Still, I was optimistic that by morning I would be fine, fine, fine! NOT! I was still pretty sick. I was no longer vomiting but the "D" took a tool on me. I canceled everything for Easter sunday. I had a few good hours between 1pm and 3pm and then the evil "D" came back with a vengence. By dinner time I noticed that the evil "D" looked a little red tinged. Must be my imagination I thought. By 730pm I could not longer pass red "D" as my imagination or leftover cherry drink. I called Denny for confirmation and he said, "Let's go to the hospital now".

So off we went. I tried to go to the larger tertiary care hospital closer to my house, but the waiting room was packed. We did a drive by and I told Denny just to keep on driving to the hospital I work for, It was a smart choice. They got me in an exam room in minutes. Asking to see evidence of my GI bleed, they quickly decided that I needed a Cat Scan and that I probably had diverticulitis. I knew this was no diverticulitis. I was certain I had Ecoli01357 or whatever that horrible stuff is. The ER doc declared me overly dramatic.

Now imagine being sick for almost 24 hours and having to drink the Bari-cat (contrast medium) that needs to be injested prior to the procedure. Not fun! Not surprisingly, my Cat scan did not show diverticulitis. It showed colitis, likely from bacterial infection.

So I bought myself two nights in the hospital and a 14 day course of Flagyl. I tested positive for an infectious type of "D" that can be acquired from the hospital setting. Since I work in a hospital it is presumed that I contracted it there.

For all of you that have met me, I swear I am not contagious, just highly unlucky. When I finally got home from the hospital I was so relieved to be out of there. I hated every single dose of the Flagyl because you absolutely CAN NOT drink on Flagyl. You will get deathly ill. Plus I felt so tired and wiped out. I was starting to wonder if I would ever feel healthy again.

Finally, about 10 days before I was due to leave for Disney I started feeling "back to normal". That was a huge occasion! So with a prescription in hand in case of relapse of the Evil D, I was READY to go.

So that's my saga. Andy why did I choose to tell you about this. Well, you are just going to have to stick around find out!

Next Up.....Something critical is missing 1/2hr before its time to leave for the airport. Any quesses?

Ooooh...that does not sound fun or pleasant at all. I'm so sorry you got so ill, but glad you recovered before your trip. Okay, without knowing a lot of history here, I'm going to guess that Denny was missing.