9/7/06 10 night Wonder Southern Caribbean "Cruising in WONDERland!"

[jiminyC_fan]

Stephanie, I am sending prayers and pixie dust your way. What a horrible thing to go through. I wish Claire a speedy recovery!

 

[jennaissill]

hey everyone

 

[smola09's mom]

This is the reason that I haven't been online this week ----

Tuesday afternoon Claire (4 and very small -- 29lbs) was helping me wash the car. She got mud on her feet and wanted them cleaned off. I went to get the hose and while I turned around she went inside. I asked Brian where she was at and he told me that she went inside --- my first thought was *My floors were just mopped yesterday and I didn't want her tracking mud all through the house* As soon as I stepped in the doorway I heard the crash......

I ran to the downstairs bathroom (a very small half bath) and she had fallen off the counter and landed on the side of her head. I called Jon and then had her sit next to me for a little bit to make sure she was OK. After about 30 - 45 mintues she started vomiting, ALOT. I called back Jon (he works less then 10min from our house) and he came home. We tok her to the ER where they did a CT scan. The worst feeling of our lives came when the Dr came in a few minutes later and said *We've arranged for a transfer by ambulance to Cooks Children's Hospital where they have Pediatric Nerousurgens that can help Claire.*
I wanted to be sick.......... She had fractured her skull and had blood on her brain. Those of you that have known me when I was pg with Claire know I have had the opportunity for a few sinking feelings! Starting when I was about 6 or 7 months pg with her. I figure God has something really wonderful in mind for her! And I can't (can) wait to see what that is!

Claire and I took our first Ambulance ride (and hopefully our last). After reveiwing her CT scan the Pediatric Nerousurgen decided to do another one the next morning (we already knew Claire was going to be admitted). They hooked her up to all kinds of machines and an IV. Gave her some medicene in her IV to stop her from vomitting -- she had been vomitting for hours now.

SHe slept lots during this time and when she was awake she was crying because her head hurt, she wanted to go home or she was scared. They would only give her tylenol for the pain -- they don't want to *mask* something more serious that may happen.

Jill & Karen came to the Children's hospital aroun 9 or 10 Tuesday night. Jill brought water from Loudes with her to bless Claire. I hope they know how much I appreciated them doing this! They arrived right when my mom & brother were getting ready to leave and I would have been alone until my sister & nephew arrived -- at this time I didn't realize my sister was coming up that night.

Jon needed to stay home with Brian (he's 8) so, that he wouldn't be too scared. Katherine came straight to our house Tuesday night and stayed with her dad & siblings. Michael (our 26 yr old) came by for a little bit -- he is NOT a good person to have around during a crisis. He gets too emotional -- like his daddy. My sister said one of the reasons she & Andrew came up immediately was because Jon could hardly stop crying when he called her.

My mom and one of my brothers arrived at the hospital very soon after us. Jon had called my sister (she lives about 3 hrs away). Her and one of my nephews (21) drove up as soon as they heard. My dad is out of town working (around 10hrs South) so, I told him to stay there and I would keep him posted.

My sister and nephew stayed with us at the Hospital from late Tuesday night (nidnight) until Claire was discharged around 5 -5:30pm on Wednesday.

Claire had her 2nd CT scan Wednesday morning (at 6:30 am!). It showed she still had a little blood but, it looked like it was starting to be absorbed and that was when we were told about the bruising on the opposite side of the brain.
That was when we were told that they had decided against surgery -- YEA!!!!!!!!! BUT, they would need to see her improve before they could release her. Lots of prayers got her through all of this.

She slept for most of Wednesday. She did wake up and talked NONSTOP when her dad, sisters & brother got there. That was the first that she had talked without crying since it happened. My sister and I did notice that whenever someone brought her gifts she would smile really big for them --- she never smiled for her and i but, we didn't have any gifts.

From about 1pm to 3pm she slept really good -- even with a room full of people talking the entire time! LOL! And when she woke up it was the difference between night and day. SHe had impoved a huge amount.
The nurousurgen's asst. came in around 4pm and was very pleased at the difference. She still hadn't drank but, a sip or two BUT, I promised the Dr that I would be very diligent on keeping an eye on claire if they would let her come home (at this point they were very pleased with her improvement).
She was allowed to leave the hospital last night around 5:30.

One of the tough things is going to be keeping Claire from playing hard over the next 3 wks.
She's not going to be allowed to do very many of the things that she loves. Those of you that know Claire can uderstand how difficult this is going to be for us! LOL!

Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes.
Stephanie in Arlington

What a frightening experience. We will pray for Claire and for you and your husband.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I was checking on my reservation for this cruise and noticed I have a new room number. I checked it out and sure enough I have been upgraded from a Category 9 to a Category 6!!!!!!!!! I am hoping my mom got upgraded too!!!!

 

[diznylnd]

You are so lucky! I just checked mine and I am still a cat 9. I made my res in August 2005. I need an upgrade too!!! LOL
Kirsty

 

[smola09's mom]

I was checking on my reservation for this cruise and noticed I have a new room number. I checked it out and sure enough I have been upgraded from a Category 9 to a Category 6!!!!!!!!! I am hoping my mom got upgraded too!!!!

I will have to check our reservations as well. Maybe we will get lucky and have an upgrade as well.

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

Hello, everyone!

I'm booked on this cruise too with my DS19 and DS13! I'm glad to see others with kids the same age!

WeLuvDisney All6ofUs--I noticed you've cruised since your DD out grew the Teens program (Stack/Aloft). How does she enjoy the cruises now? Is there much for those over 18, yet younger than 21 to do? This is the first cruise my oldest will sail since he turned 18. He usually has a blast with the teens, but now he's over the stated age. I'm worried he won't have fun. Ask you DD how she felt that first cruise at 18.

I found the first thread with all the planned activities. Cool...count us in too!Here is a website with some additional shore excursions. http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search2.asp?rcode=CAR
Has anyone had any experience with ShoreTrips? I understand lots of cruisers take these instead of the on-board offerings. Also, my DS is a SCUBA diver, if anyone is looking to do a dive excursion.

I can't wait to meet everyone!!!!

DisneyGirlTinkerbell

 

[Miss Eeyore]

as I posted a few weeks ago, I won't be on this cruise due to a family wedding....how dare it get in the way! but I am still getting PM's, and have been adding them to the list. but someone needs to keep the list, and we need to change the opening page to remove my contact and list the new list keeper.

so, someone please step up and I'll e-mail you the Word doc with all the info

I will miss being on this cruise

Marilee

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Is there much for those over 18, yet younger than 21 to do?

I have cruised on Disney when I was 18. At 18 you can go to all the adult areas, you just can't drink alcohol. So your oldest can go to the adult pool, the clubs, the late night shows, etc. It was a lot of fun being able to hang out with the adults and not be treated like a kid. Plus your oldest can go to Palo also.

 

[smola09's mom]

Hello, everyone!

I'm booked on this cruise too with my DS19 and DS13! I'm glad to see others with kids the same age!

WeLuvDisney All6ofUs--I noticed you've cruised since your DD out grew the Teens program (Stack/Aloft). How does she enjoy the cruises now? Is there much for those over 18, yet younger than 21 to do? This is the first cruise my oldest will sail since he turned 18. He usually has a blast with the teens, but now he's over the stated age. I'm worried he won't have fun. Ask you DD how she felt that first cruise at 18.

I found the first thread with all the planned activities. Cool...count us in too!Here is a website with some additional shore excursions. http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search2.asp?rcode=CAR
Has anyone had any experience with ShoreTrips? I understand lots of cruisers take these instead of the on-board offerings. Also, my DS is a SCUBA diver, if anyone is looking to do a dive excursion.

I can't wait to meet everyone!!!!

DisneyGirlTinkerbell

Welcome aboard! We are glad you are joining us.

 

[jennaissill]

Being 18 kind of sucks since you can't drink. I'll be 19 on the next cruise. It's fun hanging out with your parents, but there aren't a lot of people my age on the cruise since most kids won't take that kind of time out of college. Oh well. I usually go with my cousin who's 18. So it's alright and I don't really need to meet anyone. It's good not having limits on the cruise too I guess. Except for alcohol.

 

[Stepht5]

Thank y'all so much for the prayers & Pixie Dust! We've needed them. Claire is our *busy* child! LOL! She has only had one headache today -- the Dr said she would get headaches for a while. :-(

Yesterday our 8ds was diagnosed with strep! UGH!!!! Luckily he doesn't feel bad -- he couldn't move his head without his neck hurting and that is why dh rook him to the dr.

Dh leaves Saturday for Hong Kong (he is trying to work in a day for HK Disney!) .... He made us promise to not get injured or anymore sick peopel in the house while he is gone.

 

[Stepht5]

I was checking on my reservation for this cruise and noticed I have a new room number. I checked it out and sure enough I have been upgraded from a Category 9 to a Category 6!!!!!!!!! I am hoping my mom got upgraded too!!!!

COOL!!! COOL!!! COOL!!!! I'm going to check the ressies for our kids room and see if they've been upgraded.......

 

[DisneyGirlTinkerbell]

Thanks Pooh Friend #1 and Jennaissill! I'll pass these comments along to my son. I hope he doesn't get board hanging out with Mom! He looks very young and might try to hang out at Aloft anyway. That is good to know about Palo; I forgot about that.

Thanks,

DisneyGirlTinkerbell

 

[mowog]

My wife and I are doing this cruise. There seems to be 2 threads so I'm posting to both to bump them together.

Jean and Bob

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My wife and I are doing this cruise. There seems to be 2 threads so I'm posting to both to bump them together.

Jean and Bob

2 threads?

 

[mowog]

2 threads?

The other thread which I assume is the same cruise is

"Sept 7th 10 night anyone else cruising?"

I don't know how to directly link to it in a post. It was about 5 threads down but will probably be on page 2.

Jean and Bob

 

[bigpapasmo]

Just don't want to have anyone thinking I disappeared. We are leaving this morning for Las Vegas and I won't be posting for about a week. I am looking forward to the warmer weather as we have snow again. Yuck!!!

 

[Disneynut1955]

Hi everyone! Monica and I are back from Hawaii. We had a great time and spent one whole day at the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We love the Dole Whip they have at the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland and we had the same Dole Whip in Hawaii.

While on the trip, we tried the Atlantis submarines. We will have to do the same thing in the Caribbean as it was a great deal of fun.

Hope everyone is well and we look forward to planning our Dis-meet!

 

[first timers]

Hi all. It's nice to see there are still people on this cruise. It seems many changed to the 11 day cruise. As a Florida resident it helped us, dropped the price a bunch for this cruise, by only a small amount for the 11 day cruise. We have been busy selling our house and just returned from a 2 week trip to Rome and Paris for our anniversary. We will try to keep up with the disboards more often. Alex and Carolyn