Bahamas?? Alaska??? BAHAMAS! Dream coming true June 21-26, 2011

[franandaj]

Alicia,
That's so cool you're on the road today! My friend from Tulare is coming to visit us for the weekend so everyone I know from there will be in town. : I hope the weather gets better it was awful last night, pouring rain. Right now it's sunny, bit they say there is front off the coast.

Bonnie,
I was wondering where you had been, I'm so sorry to hear about your neck. That's definitely scary and I hope everything goes smoothly.

 

[bangzoom6877]

That sounds awful! I'm so sorry to hear that you've been in so much pain. Surgery is scary but you will be so happy once you're pain free! Best wishes

Thank you! I am trying to look ahead to when I am pain free!

Bonnie,
I was wondering where you had been, I'm so sorry to hear about your neck. That's definitely scary and I hope everything goes smoothly.

Thanks so much! It is scary but it will hopefully bring me some much needed relief! No more extreme workouts for me. Only walking from now on I think...but not for a long time from now.

 

[Leshaface]

Sorry I've been MIA!

You're leaving today for DL!!!!!

Have a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it, see pictures, and find out about this super-secret event taking place!

Yes you have been MIA!! Been waiting for your next update on your wonderful TR, but I understand..life gets in the way...DANG YOU LIFE!!!

And I PLAN on having a great time!

Hi Leshaface!

I know I haven't been on here for a while (well, a while for ME anyway ), but I have been in a lot of pain in the last couple of weeks. I have been to the doctor several times, and then I went for an MRI. I have a herniated disk in my cervical spine (neck). It's pressing on a nerve root which is why I am in so much pain. It affects my right shoulder, arm and hand (and I am a righty ). I haven't been to work all week, but the doctor said I can try to go back tomorrow and see how I am, for now.

I have to see a surgeon. The herniation is very bad and I already took a 6-day course of a steroid anti-inflammatory. I made an appointment with a neurosurgeon (at the recommendation of my orthopedist), for next Thursday. He is world-renowned. I am most likely going to have to have surgery to repair this. Gone are the days of intense exercise for me. I will have to change my whole activity lifestyle because of this. No more Test Track or Big Thunder either.

So, I am scared and nervous of course. I was a wreck when they told me yesterday. But I also feel relieved that they found the cause of my pain, and it can be corrected.

Oh my gosh Bonnie!

I was wondering where you have been! Do you think all the heavy lifting that you were doing aggravated it even more?? I'm so sorry to hear that you're in pain and that you'll have to get surgery. I've never had major surgery before (I don't really call a Tonsillectomy major), and would totally understand being nervous! I really hope that this can be taken care of quickly for you.

It's also unfortunate that you're going to have to think twice about riding an attraction from now on. I think I take for granted all that i'm able to do, and don't think about the little things, like, being able to get on that rickety Thunder Mountain.. definitely puts things into perspective

Please stay in contact on here and let us all know the progress and the date of your surgery so we can keep you in thoughts and prayers..

Alicia,
That's so cool you're on the road today! My friend from Tulare is coming to visit us for the weekend so everyone I know from there will be in town. : I hope the weather gets better it was awful last night, pouring rain. Right now it's sunny, bit they say there is front off the coast.

Bonnie,
I was wondering where you had been, I'm so sorry to hear about your neck. That's definitely scary and I hope everything goes smoothly.

Aggh it wasn't calling for rain today, but now there's rain today?? That's one of the reasons we were leaving this evening so we for sure wouldn't be stuck on the grapevine..the other night they were 'pacing' through the grapevine so at least it wasn't closed, but I don't feel like being escorted by CHP and having to wait in a long line of cars to get to the other side Will be all apart of my TR I suppose!

And you know, I really don't mind the rain! When I was living in LB, I preferred to go on days when it rained! Less people! But i'm REALLY wanting to watch WoC since I had fastpasses for it last time, but couldn't use it cuz I was yakin!

But I hope you have a great time with your friends this weekend and can't WAIT to report back on Monday with all the details!!!

 

[franandaj]

Aggh it wasn't calling for rain today, but now there's rain today?? That's one of the reasons we were leaving this evening so we for sure wouldn't be stuck on the grapevine..the other night they were 'pacing' through the grapevine so at least it wasn't closed, but I don't feel like being escorted by CHP and having to wait in a long line of cars to get to the other side Will be all apart of my TR I suppose!

And you know, I really don't mind the rain! When I was living in LB, I preferred to go on days when it rained! Less people! But i'm REALLY wanting to watch WoC since I had fastpasses for it last time, but couldn't use it cuz I was yakin!

But I hope you have a great time with your friends this weekend and can't WAIT to report back on Monday with all the details!!!

I just read on the Grand Californian Superthread that the hotel is at 100% capacity and they are expecting over 70,000 people.

 

[Leshaface]

I just read on the Grand Californian Superthread that the hotel is at 100% capacity and they are expecting over 70,000 people.

Yikes!!!

Good thing i'm not planning on doing a lot of riding!!! Mostly walking around for the atmosphere, but definitely taking advantage of MM on sat or sun..

 

[franandaj]

Yikes!!!

Good thing i'm not planning on doing a lot of riding!!! Mostly walking around for the atmosphere, but definitely taking advantage of MM on sat or sun..

Enjoy Saturday, take your time and if I didn't say so before, try a chocolate martini with dessert. I hope you can acsess the DIS from your phone. This is important information!!!!

 

[franandaj]

I hope you three made it there safely last night because if you had tried to drive down this morning there was a HUGE accident on the I-5 in Burbank. The entire freeway was shut down for hours and the back up was horrendous! I suppose you could have taken the 405 to the 22 to avoid it, but I hope that you were safely in Anaheim this morning and able to enjoy your check-in at the DLR and are now enjoying your time at Disney!

 

[Leshaface]

Enjoy Saturday, take your time and if I didn't say so before, try a chocolate martini with dessert. I hope you can acsess the DIS from your phone. This is important information!!!!

I hope you three made it there safely last night because if you had tried to drive down this morning there was a HUGE accident on the I-5 in Burbank. The entire freeway was shut down for hours and the back up was horrendous! I suppose you could have taken the 405 to the 22 to avoid it, but I hope that you were safely in Anaheim this morning and able to enjoy your check-in at the DLR and are now enjoying your time at Disney!

Oh gosh! We must have just missed that accident! But we did get there safe and luckily we left at the time we did, which was around 445-5ish because the grapevine started to rain, and a few hours later I guess it started to snow and I thought I heard they were thinking about closing it Thank goodness .

And YES! I did remember to get a chocolate martini...can you say STRONG!!!! I couldn't even finish it! My mom drank the rest like a champ! Even DH who likes long islands and AMF's said it was ridiculously strong!


I have lots of stuff to catch up on here, but I'll be uploading my pics later and can't wait to tell you all about it!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks for all your support Leshaface! I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on Thursday at noon. He's world renowned, and his specialty is minimally invasive spinal surgery. That is exactly the type of surgeon I need. I went back to work on Friday and today but it's been hard. The students have been doing just about everything for me since it is very hard for me to write in general, and I am not allowed to write on the blackboard.

I will keep you posted as much as I can when I find out more on Thursday. I am hoping the surgery will be soon. I have been in pain for 3 weeks now and I can't wait for some permanent relief, and real sleep.

 

[Leshaface]

Thanks for all your support Leshaface! I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on Thursday at noon. He's world renowned, and his specialty is minimally invasive spinal surgery. That is exactly the type of surgeon I need. I went back to work on Friday and today but it's been hard. The students have been doing just about everything for me since it is very hard for me to write in general, and I am not allowed to write on the blackboard.

I will keep you posted as much as I can when I find out more on Thursday. I am hoping the surgery will be soon. I have been in pain for 3 weeks now and I can't wait for some permanent relief, and real sleep.

I hope this doesn't put a damper on your cruise coming up in four months That would be horrible.

But yes, please come back soon and let us know what's going on!

 

[Leshaface]

So our original plans for the trip was to leave Friday, March 25 sometime around 4pm-ish when DH got off work. Then he decided to take a sick day and thought, well let's leave later in the morning. THEN I had this great idea just to leave Thursday night, so we could wake up and be at Disneyland!

And it was decided that we leave Thursday and stay at Motel 6 since it was cheap and clean, and right near the Disneyland Hotel!

So we leave home around 5ish and get into Anaheim around 8pm; great timing! Sorry, no pics of the Motel 6 room, but it was very spacious, hard wood floors, new refurbished.

We didn't do much that night..I decided to catch up on some reading and gave my self a little manicure, while my mom and DH drank the sangria my mom brought with her and relaxed!

The next morning was very easy...I woke up early to take a shower and grab some 'real' coffee over at the Starbucks on Ball rd while my familia got ready for the day. We packed up and left around 10am and headed over to...

Check-in was a breeze. She told me we would be in the Wonder tower (the furthest tower from the lobby tower) and we would be on floor 10 with a newly refurbished room, but that our room wasn't ready yet, and I would get a text with our room number!

We left our bags with Bell Services and took off to Disney's California Adventure!

The first thing we did was went to grab some lunch! We went over to Pacific Wharf to eat some great sandwiches, salads, and wraps! Sorry no pics!

After, we went to grab some FP's for Soarin' and we took my mom to somewhere she hardly ever goes...Disney's Animation Building!

I love this place! It holds Turtle Talk with Crush, Sorcerer's Workshop, the Animation Courtyard, and the Animation Academy.


We sat down on one of the comfy couches in the courtyard area and watched all the different drawings/movies come up. My mom's so funny..we decided to quiz her to see her Disney movie knowledge, so one of the drawings was of Nemo and his dad and I asked her what movie it was, and she said, "It's the one with a Whole New World song. The mermaid movie." I told DH what she said and we just both started rolling! Poor mom, 3 completely different movies...EPIC FAIL!!

Anyways, so we're sitting there for a good 10 mins, just relaxing when I hear the call for Animation Academy and we decide to run over there. My mom has never done it, and I've done it about 3 times and I love it!

Today we're drawing Minnie Mouse! Usually they show some upcoming movie clip before we start but they showed nothing..interesting...anyways, here's our drawing's..

Mine (of course the best one! )

My mom's (she has a cute bow)

Now please remove all children from the room before I show you this abomination of a Minnie...

Ready....


Here's DH's Minnie.....

He even wrote "1 of 1" like it's going to be sold at Sotheby's Art House!!


After our grand time at the Animation Building, we head over to one of my favorite rides, Monster's Inc.

(Don't worry the flash is not on, which is why they look so crappy)

Haha, love these guys!

Love this scene where's she's singing on the toilet!

The screens were broken and my mom told the CM as we were getting off the ride, just to inform them, and as soon as my mom said that the CM got on the phone to call it in, and offered us another ride around. I love the CM's...we politely refused and thanked them for the offer.

Next was...

I think this is one of the funnest shows! Especially if you grew up with the Muppets/Muppet Babies!


continued in next post..

 

[Leshaface]

We still had not received a text message about our room and it was close to 1:30 and our FP's for Soarin' weren't ready until 2:30...so what's 3 adults to do with lots of time on there hands???


Grab some drinks of course!

And we sit and chat for about 25 mins, soaking in everything around us (including our beers ) and it was so nice.

Took a pic of the new Little Mermaid ride that will open up I believe at the end of Summer??

And took a pic with my hubby..

One of DH and mom

After DH tried to pick up my mom

It was 2:15 by the time we left the World of Color seating area, and walked over to ride Soarin'. While in line, I got a text saying our room was ready and we were room number 2875!

As soon as the ride was over, we headed back to the hotel, where I snapped this pic, while waiting for our luggage.

And here's our room!!

(there is 2 switches on the lamp. One if to turn on the lamp and the other is to turn on the headboard. I believe it hums the song, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." and the little stars all twinkle! It's amazing!)

Picture on the wall

And of course the view from the side:

Zoomed in:

View straight facing the window:

Employee parking perhaps??


Our room was so nice and comfortable with plenty of seating and tables, and LOTS of electrical sockets everywhere!!

We get situated in our room and slowly leave our room around 5 because we wanted to do an early dinner over at ESPN zone so that we could also catch the World of Color show! (Oops, forgot to add that before lunch, we went straight to get FP's for WoC and got the Blue seating for the second show and 9:15)

ESPN was busy, but only waited about 20 mins for a table, and had some great burgers and beer!

After dinner, one of DH's friends was in the area, and wanted to come have a beer with us since we hadn't seen him since we left LB in 2008, so he met us at the Uva Bar in Downtown Disney and bought us a round of beers for my birthday! Meanwhile, my mom was exploring Sephora and the World of Disney store.

We got out of the Uva bar around 8:10 and were supposed to be lining up for the WoC at 8:15, but didn't get in line until 8:40.

Didn't matter we still got a great seat/standing position!

Sorry no pics, but it was AMAZING!! Loved the music and the projections and would definitely see it again!

After that we walked back to the hotel and hit they hay! Tomorrow was going to be an EXCITING DAY!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I hope this doesn't put a damper on your cruise coming up in four months That would be horrible.

But yes, please come back soon and let us know what's going on!

I think I should still be able to go on the cruise. My aunt had a herniated disk in her neck and had the surgery last March (and she is going to turn 70 this coming October). She said she was out of work for 2 months. The surgeon had her begin physical therapy 3 months after the surgery. My cruise is in 4 months from today. I am planning to mention it to the surgeon, but I think it should be fine for me to go. If not, what could I do? The important thing is for me to get better. I am going to a world renowned surgeon whose specialty is minimally invasive spinal surgery, so I'm sure I will have as easy a recovery as possible.

I made it to work on Friday, Monday and yesterday. It wasn't easy, but the kids have been very helpful in all of my classes. Yesterday the pain got very intense (we're expecting winter storms tonight, tomorrow, and Friday into Saturday...which makes the pain worse). I couldn't make it in today, too much pain. But, I made it those 3 days which I am grateful for.

Tomorrow morning at 9am, DS6 Philip is in a songfest at his school. DH is taking the day off, and my parents are coming to the show with us. Philip has a small speaking part in the show! He is excited to speak into a microphone like his mommy does at her shows! My appointment with the surgeon is tomorrow at noon. I'm glad I can still make it to Philip's show, and so is he! My mom is going to come with me and DH to the surgeon. My dad is staying behind because he has to pick up the kids from school in the afternoon and we don't know when we will be home.

So, tomorrow I will know where I stand. I just hope that he does the surgery soon. I have been walking around in pain since March 7th, and I need some true permanent relief. At least I can get that...some people walk around with pain all the time and I feel terrible for those people. Just please keep praying...any religion, any denomination, or even no religion at all and keeping me in your thoughts...I would really appreciate it. Thanks again for being supportive! It helps keep my spirits up.

 

[Leshaface]

I think I should still be able to go on the cruise. My aunt had a herniated disk in her neck and had the surgery last March (and she is going to turn 70 this coming October). She said she was out of work for 2 months. The surgeon had her begin physical therapy 3 months after the surgery. My cruise is in 4 months from today. I am planning to mention it to the surgeon, but I think it should be fine for me to go. If not, what could I do? The important thing is for me to get better. I am going to a world renowned surgeon whose specialty is minimally invasive spinal surgery, so I'm sure I will have as easy a recovery as possible.

I made it to work on Friday, Monday and yesterday. It wasn't easy, but the kids have been very helpful in all of my classes. Yesterday the pain got very intense (we're expecting winter storms tonight, tomorrow, and Friday into Saturday...which makes the pain worse). I couldn't make it in today, too much pain. But, I made it those 3 days which I am grateful for.

Tomorrow morning at 9am, DS6 Philip is in a songfest at his school. DH is taking the day off, and my parents are coming to the show with us. Philip has a small speaking part in the show! He is excited to speak into a microphone like his mommy does at her shows! My appointment with the surgeon is tomorrow at noon. I'm glad I can still make it to Philip's show, and so is he! My mom is going to come with me and DH to the surgeon. My dad is staying behind because he has to pick up the kids from school in the afternoon and we don't know when we will be home.

So, tomorrow I will know where I stand. I just hope that he does the surgery soon. I have been walking around in pain since March 7th, and I need some true permanent relief. At least I can get that...some people walk around with pain all the time and I feel terrible for those people. Just please keep praying...any religion, any denomination, or even no religion at all and keeping me in your thoughts...I would really appreciate it. Thanks again for being supportive! It helps keep my spirits up.

I'm DEFINITELY praying for you and your family! And i'm really hoping the dr will say, "Of COURSE you'll be able to make your cruise!"

I can't believe you guys are still getting storms! I'm sure it aggravates it even more. Today was hot, around 80 and am dreading summer. It was almost more humid today then hot, which is very odd for Tulare

I know you're appt already happened, so I do hope you'll be back on soon to let us know what the doctor said.

Thinking of you!

 

[Leshaface]

So today was my 27th birthday and it was AWESOME!!

I woke up at 6:45 to go grab ME two donuts! Chocolate old fashion please!

After I scarfed them down with some coffee, I headed out to a local day spa where I enjoyed a facial and a massage!

At first when I got to the spa, two other girls got served mimosas and completely skipped me I was thinking, what the heck?! And when the technician took me back, she noticed on the forms that it was my birthday and she asked me how old I was. Then she apologized for not offering me a mimosa because she wasn't sure if I was 21!

Then I was completely happy!!!

After I endured my facial (ugh, those extractions are not fun), I went and got my hour long massage AND got $20 off my next massage as a birthday gift which I've NEVER gotten before! Double Yay!

I was then thinking about getting some fatty food for lunch (In-n-Out sounded BOMB!) then I remembered that I had some left over spaghetti and meatballs from dinner last night, so I ate that while watching a girly movie (Maid in Manhattan)

I then went to get a manicure she did horrible!!! When she was massaging my forearms and hands with lotion, she kept watching this baby (that was super adorable by the way) and she completely stopped massaging me, but she still kept holding my arm...it was pretty uncomfortable. After I washed my hands so she could put on the polish, she pulls out the ticket and says, "Pay now, don't want to mess up nails." So I take my card out, and she rushes putting on my polish. When she's done she says, "how much you want?" I said, "Umm, isn't it $12? Put $12 on it." I had cash for tip, but didn't say that. She then stomped off to go charge my card, and while she's doing that, i'm looking at my nails and WOW! Some nails are long, some are short, some are squared, some are rounded...I didn't even sit there long enough for them to dry. I got up and walked over to the register and she says, "You leave? Don't mess up." "Oh don't worry, they're already messed up." She throws the receipt at me and the pen and i'm SO happy I did not tell her to put a tip on the card or pulled my cash out to tip her!

As soon as I left, I went to target to treat me to some good nail polishes and gave myself a great manicure when I got home.

I then decided to do something I hadn't done in sooo long...I cleaned out my car! Hey, it's my day off, I can choose what I want to do!

My mom came over to give me my bday present. I thought my bday present was the Disneyland trip but she decided to give me something tangible, and she shows up with a huge box..inside? 2 COACH PURSES PEOPLE!!!

I LOVE MY MOM!!!

And about half an hour ago, I picked up some carne asada burritos from the west side, and demolished it!

Such a great day!

Sorry I wasn't able to update today, but hopefully tomorrow, i'll add the second day of our Disneyland trip!

 

[franandaj]

Happy Birthday! I'm glad you had a good one! My 27th birthday was during the Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles (so if that doesn't date me nothing will). While we were out in the San Fernando Valley that did put a damper on the thing since there was a curfew on LA County, we told everyone to arrive before sunset and they could stay all night!

I'm glad that you had a more relaxing day and that you enjoyed your day off. However, you do have some updates that inquiring minds want to know about.....

 

[mousetravel]

Joining in on your TR!! We are going on the Dream the week before you are!!
Love the Disneyland pictures and the hotel room is gorgeous.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm DEFINITELY praying for you and your family! And i'm really hoping the dr will say, "Of COURSE you'll be able to make your cruise!"

I can't believe you guys are still getting storms! I'm sure it aggravates it even more. Today was hot, around 80 and am dreading summer. It was almost more humid today then hot, which is very odd for Tulare

I know you're appt already happened, so I do hope you'll be back on soon to let us know what the doctor said.

Thinking of you!

First of all, happy belated birthday! My goodness, you are still only 27! I will be celebrating my 34th in a couple of months!

OK, I went for my appt yesterday...great news!!! The surgery will be this coming Wed., April 6th, in the afternoon. It is going to be done from the front of the neck, a small incision. They will remove the herniated disk and replace it with a piece of bone (from a donor). Then they attach a plate to the 2 vertabrae and everything will fuse. My mobility should not be affected more than literally a centimeter or 2, he said nothing noticeable. Here are the best parts though:
1. Recovery will only take one week!!
2. After one week, I begin physical therapy, which lasts for 3 months. At that point I will be good as new and will be able to exercise...within reason...have to listen to the physical therapist.
3. I will be going back to work at the end of April, after Spring Break is over.
4. I don't have to wear a neck brace!
5. I only have to spend one night in the hospital.
6. The pain in my shoulder and arm should go away instantaneously...he said I will literally notice a difference upon waking up in the recovery room!
7. The worst thing he said I should feel after the surgery is a little painful swallowing, like a bad sore throat. But that is very short-lived, especially in young people like me. This is because they move the trachea and esophagus over in order to get around to the herniated disk. He said most people are eating again within a few hours after surgery.
8. He said that I am the perfect candidate for this exact surgery.

So, that sums it up. I am very relieved. I thought I would have a much longer recovery, like a month or 2. I did mention the cruise and he said, "Of course! You will be fine before then!! You will go and have a wonderful time!"

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers too! I really appreciate everything!

 

[franandaj]

OK, I went for my appt yesterday...great news!!!

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers too! I really appreciate everything!

I'm glad that you are happy, I suppose with the amount of pain you are in, the relief is better than the pain. To me it sounds incredibly scary, but I'm squeamish and don't do well with any medical procedures.

Good luck, and we'll see you a lot on the DIS since you'll be home recouperating!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm glad that you are happy, I suppose with the amount of pain you are in, the relief is better than the pain. To me it sounds incredibly scary, but I'm squeamish and don't do well with any medical procedures.

Good luck, and we'll see you a lot on the DIS since you'll be home recouperating!

Yes, any surgery is scary, but you're right...at this point I need some real relief, but just taking the edge off with Vicodin at night. I am so used to being in pain now (it's been just about 4 weeks since this started), it will feel strange (in a really good way) not to have any pain in my arm and shoulder! I was very nervous about routine things they do for surgery, like the breathing tube and a catheter, but the doctor told me that they take care of all those things while I am asleep. So I won't be aware of them or feel them at all. That makes me very happy. The pain with swallowing after surgery doesn't make me happy, but I'm sure it won't be nearly as bad as the pain I am in now.