2008, 24th/28th Aug - *Double Dipping with the Bahama Mamas* (Part 2)

[phoenixphantom]

Howdy folkzes! :


My best news is that I chartered Alana and I on our own private boat with our own private instructors (2) who just happen to specialize in scuba for kids. We are GOIN DIVING in Nassau! YAY YAY YAY I'm so excited I could scream.

Pam, Now I wish that I had finished my scuba certification, I never got a chance to do the open water dive.

Diane

 

[phoenixphantom]

Hi Everyone,

We just got back from Hopkins and Baltimore. Everything went well with the contrast dye (no reaction at all!) and the preliminary reviews of the CT by the radiologist were good. She said they still need to look at it very closely with other radiology doctors, but that it looked like all scar tissue and she didn't see any evidence of the original mass/cyst. I can't begin to tell you how relieved we felt! They said they wouldn't be giving us any results there and would call our doctor, but we basically begged them and they looked at it quickly for us. I don't think we could have mentally made it any longer. I'm really really optimistic everything's going to heal just fine and we are going to end this chapter in our lives. Thank you all for the positive thoughts and prayers. They really, really, really meant a lot.


I hope everyone's having a great day. We are off to baseball in a few minutes and it looks like it's going to pour!

Diane

 

[mandymouse]

We just got back from Hopkins and Baltimore. Everything went well with the contrast dye (no reaction at all!) and the preliminary reviews of the CT by the radiologist were good. She said they still need to look at it very closely with other radiology doctors, but that it looked like all scar tissue and she didn't see any evidence of the original mass/cyst. I can't begin to tell you how relieved we felt! They said they wouldn't be giving us any results there and would call our doctor, but we basically begged them and they looked at it quickly for us. I don't think we could have mentally made it any longer. I'm really really optimistic everything's going to heal just fine and we are going to end this chapter in our lives. Thank you all for the positive thoughts and prayers. They really, really, really meant a lot.

That's great news Danielle, that must be a huge relief to you all. Now you can start enjoying the countdown to your vacation - you certainly deserve it

 

[mandymouse]

Good Morning Bahama Mama's

Where was everyone last night ? Were you doing something nice ?

I'm not doing anything exciting today, I'm just going to see my mum for a couple of hours this morning

Maybe I'll 'see' some of you for sailaway later - catch you then

Have a great day everyone

 

[sandym]

Hello Bahama Mamas!

Another busy work day here, and I might just start getting my cruise stuff sorted if I get some time. I really have to get my box of FE stuff shipped this week.

Mandy- Hope you enjoy your time w/ your mum. I'll try to be around at sail away.

Laurie- It was fun talking yesterday. Did you get all your bags done?

Michele- Where are you I really miss chatting. Love Nicole's hair. Why didn't we get a pic you your new perm? Hope you are feeling even better today.

Jen- Hope things are going well in Boston. Give Em a squeeze for me

Veronica- Have you started packing yet?

Danielle- I'm so glad you got some good news. Now you can get ready for vacation

Betty- How are things? How is your dad doing?

Pam- glad you finally got a dive scheduled for Nassau.

Well, I am off to check the basement and then get started w/ work. Have a great day everyone!

 

[LaurieWDW05]

Good Morning all!!!

I was 'around' yesterday - but not online that much - Sandy will tell ya! LOL And Mandy too - I was stressing over FE stuff! LOL Needless to say - ALMOST done w/that!! I am waiting for a few things to come, and I have to finish my project, and I am DONE!! So, that will be a relief when it is all out of the way!

Anyway...............

Danielle - Glad to hear things went well yesterday!! Keep us posted on the results!!

Michele - where have you been?????????????????? I am working today, leaving here around 9:30 ish, so, you can call me on the cell if you want?? Maybe we can chat for a few! Are you feeling ok??

Sandy - thanks for the chat yesterday - surely helped me through the FE mess! LOL Glad it is mostly done! How did your chicken turn out last night?

Mandy - enjoy your few hours w/your mom today - and you know I won't be around for sailaway - and I am pretty upset that I won't be around this area this afternoon - my BF - JBJ himself will be in Philly w/a pep-rally for his AFL team - they won the "arena bowl" on Sunday - and they are having a parade and he is speaking - and will have a special announcement - a FREE concert! So, I am HOPING that it isn't when I am away - I will be SO mad! If I didn't have to work and go to the baptism tonight, I would've gone to philly for the events today!! Oh, well!! Enough of my JBJ ramblings!

Veronica - let me know what next week looks like for you! We can set up a chat date - so much to catch up on! I didn't get home yesterday till after 3, then went on a quest w/FE - so, I was VERY busy! Did you go to lunch or no?

OH - I have to tell you - I got a text message from Jen yesterday - they arrived in Boston safely and were heading for something to eat when I heard from her last! I will keep you all posted if I hear something from her today!

Suz - HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO - have you gone missing again? Can you email me your stateroom number?? I have a 'project' for you and want to drop it off!!!

Alright - well, I need to shower and get my act together - heading into work for MORE testing - then over to my moms to change - and off to the baptism! Carm was supposed to work tonight - but, was able to switch, so he is going to meet us up there!

Have a good day all - I'll try to check in from work - but, I am sure I won't have time - that testing the other day took SOOOOOOOOO long and I had to be right there w/the guys - so, no sneaking on the thread! LOL

Laurie

 

[Hanover]

Good Morning!

I'm so glad Derek insisted that we not leave Hopkins yesterday without asking the head radiologist to at least give us answers/a quick review of the CT! Right after the CT, I asked the CT technicians/nurses if the radiologist was going to come out to speak to us and they said, no, it wasn't their policy and we'd need to wait to hear from our doctor. Derek and I really thought it wasn't going to be good news since the other times they immediately told us the results and he didn't want us torturing ourselves waiting to hear from our doctor. Even Keegan said right after, "I guess that means I'm getting surgery since they didn't tell us it looked good." We STILL haven't heard from our doctor about the official report, so I'm soooo glad Derek pleaded with them. I'd have been a real basket case not knowing all night. I really feel like a huge cloud has been lifted and can really concentrate on the cruise now!

Last night we got even better news............no more baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The boys finished up their tournament last night and we found out the one in Palmyra switched to a higher age bracket so we don't need to go next week/ August 9 & 10th!!!! Keegan has baseball camp next week, but now we only have football practice and that's only an hour and a half. Compared to 3 hour baseball practices, that flies by!

Three weeks from today we leave! We got a better deal on our Alamo rental last night, upping it to an SUV for the same price we had a full size car. We then checked our flight prices and for $8 more total ($2 each) we could get a flight out 2 hours earlier, so we did that. Now we are coming in at 12:20 again instead of 2:45. We originally had the 12:20 arrival, but then a ding rate came out and we saved $40 but couldn't get the 10:05 flight with that rate and switched to a 12:30 flight. I noticed it's back up to $109 each way from the $78 we got today. Derek also called and booked us a hotel room at BWI airport the night before so we don't need to get up at 6 to fight traffic for the usually hour and 10 minute ride. We get to leave the van there for $40for the 12 days we'll be gone and that's a $35 savings than the cheapest long term lot.


Laurie, I have to start doing my FE stuff. I got them all in my top rack of my closet and need to start sorting them out. I tried to keep it to all really small/flat stuff but I think I'm still going to need a separate suitcase for them.

Michele, Nicole's hair looks great

Pam, your dive trip sounds awesome!

Mandy, enjoy your time with your mum today.

Jen, I hope everything goes great for you in Boston!

Hi to everyone else and thanks again for the good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers for Keegan. They really worked and were extremely comforting to us in a really difficult time!

 

[Hanover]

Have you guys seen this information about theming some of the CBR rooms with pirate decor and and a new Quick Service/2 snacks dining plan option in 2009? http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/07/pirates-of-the.html

Also, for anyone booking tickets for Universal, we got a sweet deal from a fan club code off of mousesavers. We saved nearly $50 off the normal gate prices for one adult and one child ticket (we got 2 others free from Coke rewards ages ago).

 

[micheleluvsmickey]

Morning Ladies, Mandy hope you had a nice visit with your mom today.

Laurie, Nice catching up this morning..JBJ had better not be having that concert without us this august.

Sandy, There is no way i am posting a pic of my perm until i can wash it and style...lol..the first 3 days u can't do anything with it and i look like a poodle

Veronica, Send me a pm with your phone number in case i am running late.o.k.

Suzanne, You have been missing a lot lately..hmmm..are u cheating on us and posting somewhere else?

Well my day is filled with dropping off my kids and picking them up today. Jeff has a list of errands for me a mile long..so i won't be around for most of the day but i will be back for sailaway..i hope. Catch u all later.

 

[mandymouse]

Another busy work day here, and I might just start getting my cruise stuff sorted if I get some time. I really have to get my box of FE stuff shipped this week.

Mandy- Hope you enjoy your time w/ your mum. I'll try to be around at sail away.

Well, I am off to check the basement and then get started w/ work. Have a great day everyone!

Hi Sandy, good luck with sorting out your FE stuff, it's great that you can ship bits and pieces town to the terminal ready for your Cruise

I hope your basement is drying out, did you get your heater lit OK ?

I hope to catch you later for sailaway

I was 'around' yesterday - but not online that much - Sandy will tell ya! LOL And Mandy too - I was stressing over FE stuff! LOL Needless to say - ALMOST done w/that!! I am waiting for a few things to come, and I have to finish my project, and I am DONE!! So, that will be a relief when it is all out of the way!

Mandy - enjoy your few hours w/your mom today - and you know I won't be around for sailaway - and I am pretty upset that I won't be around this area this afternoon - my BF - JBJ himself will be in Philly w/a pep-rally for his AFL team - they won the "arena bowl" on Sunday - and they are having a parade and he is speaking - and will have a special announcement - a FREE concert! So, I am HOPING that it isn't when I am away - I will be SO mad! If I didn't have to work and go to the baptism tonight, I would've gone to philly for the events today!! Oh, well!! Enough of my JBJ ramblings!

OH - I have to tell you - I got a text message from Jen yesterday - they arrived in Boston safely and were heading for something to eat when I heard from her last! I will keep you all posted if I hear something from her today!

Alright - well, I need to shower and get my act together - heading into work for MORE testing - then over to my moms to change - and off to the baptism! Carm was supposed to work tonight - but, was able to switch, so he is going to meet us up there!

Hey Laurie, I bet you'll be glad to get all the FE gifts sorted out and sent off

I hope that JBJ announces a free concert that you are able to go to, it must be time for you to have another JBJ fix

Thanks for letting us know that Jen got to Boston safely, I hope it all goes well for her

Have fun at the baptism, I'm sure you'll have a great time with your family, though I'll miss you for sailaway - have nice day

We STILL haven't heard from our doctor about the official report, so I'm soooo glad Derek pleaded with them. I'd have been a real basket case not knowing all night. I really feel like a huge cloud has been lifted and can really concentrate on the cruise now!

Last night we got even better news............no more baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really bad that your doctor hasn't got back to you, but thankfully you already know the news - enjoy these next few weeks as you get organised for your vacation

Have you guys seen this information about theming some of the CBR rooms with pirate decor and and a new Quick Service/2 snacks dining plan option in 2009? http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/07/pirates-of-the.html

Those Pirates of the Caribbean rooms look great, I wish I had one for this Summer

Well my day is filled with dropping off my kids and picking them up today. Jeff has a list of errands for me a mile long..so i won't be around for most of the day but i will be back for sailaway..i hope. Catch u all later.

Welcome to my world Michele I seem to spend my time running around after my mum, the girls and Paul - I'll be glad when this Cruise comes so I can relax. The only exercise I want to have is picking up a Bahama Mama and putting it to my lips

Have fun and I 'see' you at sailaway

 

[V4dice]

Hi Bahama Mamas

Danielle - I'm so glad that you got good news about Keegan Hopefully this will be all behind you now!

Mandy - Hope you had a nice visit with your mom - enjoy the rest of your day!

Michele - I will PM you with my number - can't wait to meet you!

Laurie - Next week looks pretty quiet for me and I look forward to chatting. Have fun at the Baptism!

Sandy - How is the basement? No I haven't even started my packing lists - you guys are making me feel inspired though

Pam - Congrats on getting that great dive set all up - I'm sure you will have a fabulous time!

Jen - Hope all is going well with you and Em!

A big hello to everyone else!

We are off to Dave and Busters to the game room in a little while. We let Bryan chose what he wanted to do today and that was his top choice. Tom has a conference call for work this afternoon but then hopefully we will get out and have some more fun (if Bryan has his say it will be the beach or pool). He is so excited about turning six today plus he just found his first loose tooth (besides the one the dentist pulled ). After today I'm all done with birthdays so I'm very happy too! It was an expensive month (my MIL's birthday was Monday right between the 2 kids).

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[mandymouse]

Happy 6th Birthday Bryan, Have a great day !!​

Love Mandy, Paul, Kerry & Becky xx

 

[mandymouse]

We are off to Dave and Busters to the game room in a little while. We let Bryan chose what he wanted to do today and that was his top choice. Tom has a conference call for work this afternoon but then hopefully we will get out and have some more fun (if Bryan has his say it will be the beach or pool). He is so excited about turning six today plus he just found his first loose tooth (besides the one the dentist pulled ). After today I'm all done with birthdays so I'm very happy too! It was an expensive month (my MIL's birthday was Monday right between the 2 kids).

Hope everyone has a great day!

Veronica - I hope Bryan has a lovely birthday and that you all have a great afternoon - have fun

 

[sandym]

Bryan​

 

[Debs Disney]

Howdy folkzes! :

Just FINALLY caught up on all the news again.

My best news is that I chartered Alana and I on our own private boat with our own private instructors (2) who just happen to specialize in scuba for kids. We are GOIN DIVING in Nassau! YAY YAY YAY I'm so excited I could scream

Deb - BLUE MAN GROUP??? Where? When? I can't afford it after paying for that charter, but... OMGosh have you seen them before? I LOVE THEM. Also, I haven't been to either water park, but I know you can swim with the sharks at Typhoon Lagoon so that would put it above Blizz in my book.

Pam

Wow I would love to know how you chartered the boat with the kids scuba instructors!!! Christopher my son who is 12 scuba dives with a group called Scuba Rangers. they do pool dives, local dives and family trips. He has never been diving in the ocean and really wants to. My husband is certified and loves it! Paul is signed up for the Nassau scuba trip. Christopher is going for is open water certification next year.

We are seeing the Blue Man Group at Universal Studios. I am turning the big 40 that night We have front row seats, have never seen them before but I cant wait!
debi

 

[sandym]

WE HAVE HOT WATER

 

[micheleluvsmickey]

HAVE A GREAT DAY BRYAN.......FROM JEFF,MICHELE,NICOLE,SARAH,AUSTIN

 

[sarahsmom73]

Hi Guys

I am sitting in the room while Em is trying to take a nap. I am also waiting on which blood tests we need to have done. There is a bit of a debate. She is such a hard stick I want them to be good an sure what they want. Basically it is more of the same but one of our neurologists wants to rule more things out...

Rett - She had a test for the mecP2 gene already and it was negative. This meant an 80 - 85% it is not Rett. The neurologist here wants a gene karotype to be done. This will make it 95%... He also wants a test for Angelman syndrome and williams syndrome... Our Metabolism Doc (who I love) told us we are on the outer fringes now.. If we find anything it would be something that 1 or 2 kids have..

When they first brought up Rett in January it freaked me out. After 2 weeks of waiting the test came back negative. It was torture. This time I am not getting freaked out unless it comes back positive. Same with the others. Em is making great progress and is not regressing.. Her head circumference continues to grow at a nice rate... I am going to keep positive. I know one thing.. I am about at the end of this testing. I am starting to think the unknown is not so bad.

We are really excited for Toronto. We are actually going to meet Teya and her mom for ice cream! Can't wait to meet her... When we get home it will be only 12 days til we leave for FL! I can't wait to meet all of you!

So now I wait..For the phone...

 

[mandymouse]

We are seeing the Blue Man Group at Universal Studios. I am turning the big 40 that night We have front row seats, have never seen them before but I cant wait!
debi

That sounds like a great way to spend your birthday Debi What date is your birthday ?

WE HAVE HOT WATER

That's great news Sandy, enjoy a long soak in the bath

I am sitting in the room while Em is trying to take a nap. I am also waiting on which blood tests we need to have done. There is a bit of a debate. She is such a hard stick I want them to be good an sure what they want. Basically it is more of the same but one of our neurologists wants to rule more things out...

Rett - She had a test for the mecP2 gene already and it was negative. This meant an 80 - 85% it is not Rett. The neurologist here wants a gene karotype to be done. This will make it 95%... He also wants a test for Angelman syndrome and williams syndrome... Our Metabolism Doc (who I love) told us we are on the outer fringes now.. If we find anything it would be something that 1 or 2 kids have..

When they first brought up Rett in January it freaked me out. After 2 weeks of waiting the test came back negative. It was torture. This time I am not getting freaked out unless it comes back positive. Same with the others. Em is making great progress and is not regressing.. Her head circumference continues to grow at a nice rate... I am going to keep positive. I know one thing.. I am about at the end of this testing. I am starting to think the unknown is not so bad.

We are really excited for Toronto. We are actually going to meet Teya and her mom for ice cream! Can't wait to meet her... When we get home it will be only 12 days til we leave for FL! I can't wait to meet all of you!

So now I wait..For the phone...

You sound really positive Jen I've got my fingers crossed for good news for you too

Are you back home tomorrow ?

That'll be nice to meet up with Teya, they're a remarkable family

Take care and have a safe journey home

 

[dismiss]

Hi All
Got my Cruise Documents Today
WOO HOO !!!!!!

Mandy, Maybe if it is all right with everyone, you could post the room numbers on the list on the first page.
We are room 7562. We were hoping to get upgraded to a cat 1, 2, or 3
It is the Year of a Million Dreams ?

Danielle -Glad to hear the good news about Keegan. Sorry you have to wait for the "official word" But the Rad has to read it , it has to be transcribed and then sent to your DR. All just to make the wait more excruciating. But if they were not 99.99% sure , they would not have said anything, so sounds like you are home free.

Jen- Good luck with all of Em's tests.Even if they do not come up with a "named" diagnosis; As long as the therapy is helping her to progress, that is the important thing.

We had to move up our travel plans by one day, so we will be able to visit our nephew, Who is going to be transfered to a long term rehabilitation facility, within the next few weeks. Unfortuneately the move will take place while we are in route, so hopefully by the time we drive to North Carolina, we will know if we need to go east the Charleston SC or southwest the Atlanta, GA. It will be an adventure.

Well now we leave the evening of Friday August 15. I guess I need to finish packing,

See you all soon

Mary Ellen