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

[Leshaface]

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.

Hi ***********!

Will you be doing a TR as well??

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!

I'm soooo glad to hear that this surgery will be somewhat painless and easy! The bolded kinda weirds me out! But i'm so happy that you won't have to miss lots of work, and will be completely recooperated by the time your cruise comes around. I'm sure your kids and hubby will be there to help nourish you back to health! Can't believe it's going to be this Wednesday already!

So not sure when you'll be able to get back on, but I hope to hear back from you soon regarding your recovery

 

[Leshaface]

Busy, BUSY weekend!

DH decided to throw a family bbq for my birthday this past saturday (my birthday extravaganzas never end for me) So I spent my Friday evening, cleaning the house, prepping food, and doing things (laundry, master bed/bath cleaning that I normally do on Saturdays to compensate for our bbq) ALL THE WHILE DH is playing VIDEO GAMES!!! UUUUMMmmm, I believe you, sir, planned this BBQ for MY birthday, shouldn't you be doing this stuff or at least helping me??? Good grief!

Anyways, i'm uploading my pics right now for the second day of the trip, and i'll be posting my update, probably in a few hours!

 

[franandaj]

I was wondering where you had been! I want to hear about Saturday!!!!!!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I'm soooo glad to hear that this surgery will be somewhat painless and easy! The bolded kinda weirds me out! But i'm so happy that you won't have to miss lots of work, and will be completely recooperated by the time your cruise comes around. I'm sure your kids and hubby will be there to help nourish you back to health! Can't believe it's going to be this Wednesday already!

So not sure when you'll be able to get back on, but I hope to hear back from you soon regarding your recovery

I was weirded out by the trachea and esophagus being moved over too...but this surgery has a much shorter and easier recovery period than going through the back of the neck. Another thing I feel very confident about...my surgeon is an assistant professor at NYU in Manhattan. He is doing my surgery here in Brooklyn (same hospital where I gave birth both times), but he also operates at NYU Hospital in Manhattan. There is another neurosurgeon at NYU that my family is just too familiar with. Back in 1989, my mom's cousin (he was only 34 at the time) had a brain aneurysm. His neurosurgeon at NYU saved his life with a procedure that had not even been done yet in the US at that point. A year later when he went for an MRI, they detected another aneurysm and he saved his life again. He is still alive and well today, in his 50s! He is literally a walking miracle. Anyway, at my appt last Thursday, I asked my surgeon if he knows that doctor. He smiled and said "of course I know him, I did a surgery with him 2 months ago!" I immediately felt very confident when he said that! He is world renowned and also works with the best of the best!

After tomorrow's surgery, I don't know when I will be back on here. But, it shouldn't be more than a week later since the recovery period is only a week! I will be spending just one night in the hospital, then recovery continues at home. DH and my mom will be there the entire time tomorrow, my dad will take care of taking the kids to school and bringing them home and giving them dinner, and my sister is coming right to the hospital from work. DH is going to stay at the hospital until they kick him out, and my mom and sis will go home together. My parents will put the kids to bed and wait at my house until DH gets home. Thursday morning, DH will bring the kids to school, then he will come right to the hospital with my parents, and we will wait until they send me home.

I am very nervous of course. Nervous that I won't be able to swallow when I wake up (although the doctor doesn't think that will happen to me, given my age, health and fitness level). Nervous that the anesthesia will make me sick, and just plain nervous. But, I try to calm myself down by thinking positive...I will wake up without any more arm and shoulder pain, just soreness at the incision site, and that will be a welcome relief after going through this for over 4 weeks! I will not know anything that is going on and it will probably be the best sleep of my life! And, a week later I will be able to begin physical therapy, which means I will be moving again. That will feel great!

 

[franandaj]

Good luck Bonnie! Can your DH log on under your sign in and let us know you'reOK? We'll be worried about you!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Good luck Bonnie! Can your DH log on under your sign in and let us know you'reOK? We'll be worried about you!

I can ask him to...but he will be very busy taking care of me, the house and the boys. He is taking off tomorrow and Thursday, but going back to work Friday (my parents are gonna stay with me when he is at work). One of the questions I am going to ask the doctor is when I will be able to sit at the desk at the computer again. Or, at the very least, if DH can hand the laptop to me to use while I sit on the couch.

I'm nervous, but I know this is what has to be done and I will finally get rid of the pain! Then I can focus on good times!

 

[mousetravel]

Hi ***********!

Will you be doing a TR as well??

I was thinking I probably will do a TR of this trip. We will be celebrating my DD's 16th birthday on the cruise! Another mom/daughter trip! I did one for our 2009 and 2010 trip.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi!!!!!

Well, I had my surgery yesterday and it was a success! I came home this morning, and it is great to be home. I have some soreness in my neck, but Percocet helps with that for now. Also, a sore throat but that literally gets better by the hour. I ate my mom's meatballs and spaghetti for dinner tonight!

I go back to the doctor for a follow-up in 2 weeks. He was very pleased with the outcome. He said the nerve root the disc was pressing on was extremely aggravated. I still have a little numbness in one of my fingers, but it is getting better. But, the pain in my arm and shoulder is completely gone!

Thank you so much for all the prayers, they were definitely answered! I have a big bandage on my neck, but they told me I could take a shower tonight, and then the big bandage comes off! There is a little steri-tape underneath and it will come off on its own in time, but I can shower everyday. The boys are glad I am home. They made me Get Well cards, which cheered me up. The family brought me roses yesterday to the hospital, and my department at work sent me a huge bouquet of flowers. I am well on the road to recovery and very happy that the worst is behind me!

 

[Leshaface]

Hi!!!!!

Well, I had my surgery yesterday and it was a success! I came home this morning, and it is great to be home. I have some soreness in my neck, but Percocet helps with that for now. Also, a sore throat but that literally gets better by the hour. I ate my mom's meatballs and spaghetti for dinner tonight!

I go back to the doctor for a follow-up in 2 weeks. He was very pleased with the outcome. He said the nerve root the disc was pressing on was extremely aggravated. I still have a little numbness in one of my fingers, but it is getting better. But, the pain in my arm and shoulder is completely gone!

Thank you so much for all the prayers, they were definitely answered! I have a big bandage on my neck, but they told me I could take a shower tonight, and then the big bandage comes off! There is a little steri-tape underneath and it will come off on its own in time, but I can shower everyday. The boys are glad I am home. They made me Get Well cards, which cheered me up. The family brought me roses yesterday to the hospital, and my department at work sent me a huge bouquet of flowers. I am well on the road to recovery and very happy that the worst is behind me!

Oh my goodness you're back!!

I'm sooo glad to hear everything went great!! I think it's amazing how well you're feeling right now and that you're able to eat and take a shower! That would bug me not to feel clean everyday.

So now we'll just see how you feel in about a month! Hopefully completely free from pain!

 

[Leshaface]

Today was the 75 day mark and the day I was able to book excursions!

I woke up at around 6am (I wasn't sure what time to start making reservations ...because I believe I've had to wake up at 3am to make ADR's for WDW, but I wasn't sure what time for DCL so I just woke up at 6am)

This is what I got:

- Parasailing the first day at Castaway Cay
- Snorkeling the first day at Castaway Cay
- Discover Atlantis at Nassau (we originally wanted to do the Dolphin Shallow Water with Discover Atlantis but that was booked(
- And last but not least, I secured a ressie with REMY!!!!! There were only four times left (6, 6:10, 6:20, and 6:30) and the only day available was for the first night of our cruise, so I booked the first seating which was 6:00pm. It just so happens that, that night is the 21st which is exactly one month from our 5 year anniversary so it works out!

I wanted to surprise my hubby with a nice shave before our dinner, but that was already booked up too

Very slim pickings. It's like, people have to rummage through whatever the Club and Conceirge members didn't want

Oh well, at least I got Remy...that was my main concern. I feel soooo bad for people that don't know they have to book excursions at the 75 day mark. For example, the travel agent we're using didn't mention ONE thing to us..I already knew, but I wanted to see if she would be on top of it. I even spoke to her today, asking her if it was okay that I did our online check-in or if she was supposed to and she said that was fine. I'm surprised she didn't say anything about dining/excursions Never using a TA again..

Plus she said she wouldn't have our flight or stateroom information until about 30 days before our trip...I don't understand why we gave her $XXX.XX amount for the flight, when she can't tell us which flight we're on or the times? Just confused..and i'm antsy cuz I really want to know what our stateroom looks like!

Anyways, so i'm glad that today is the 75 day mark from our trip!

Have to say, i'm doing pretty good with my workouts and eating habits. I'm not on a diet, but I am watching what i'm eating without having to suffer. I'll still have my icecream, I just may not have that much bread throughout the day, or for instance last night..I knew I was going out for dinner and I knew I was going to have some fish and chips(1 piece) so for breakfast I had 2 egg white scrambles, a banana, and 1 piece of turkey bacon and for lunch a chicken salad with an apple, and my snack was some greek yogurt with honey and a handful of raw almonds. I don't know why I told you guys things you don't care about I guess it just helps remind me that i'm doing good so far and to keep it up

And I WILL update my next day at Disneyland...I went to upload my pics before I left for lunch the other day, and when I returned I forgot to press 'accept' so nothing uploaded I finally was able to download them so now I just need to write it!

 

[franandaj]

Yay Bonnie! That was fast! I didn't have any time to worry about you, I've been too worried about getting packed for my road trip!

Alicia,
You make me think that I need to take a few warm up cruises before going on the Dream so that when I do I'll have higher standing when we want to book Remy!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh my goodness you're back!!

I'm sooo glad to hear everything went great!! I think it's amazing how well you're feeling right now and that you're able to eat and take a shower! That would bug me not to feel clean everyday.

So now we'll just see how you feel in about a month! Hopefully completely free from pain!

Yay!! I literally feel better each hour! Today I am going to try just Tylenol during the day, and maybe a Percocet before bed tonight. Right now I don't feel the need to take a pain killer, and I could if I need to! No major pain, just soreness. I took a shower last night and took off the bandage (doctor's orders). The cut in my neck is about 2 inches. Right now I hate the way it looks but it will fade, and I am just so happy not to have any major pain! I was able to blow dry my hair for the first time in weeks and that felt great too. This morning I put on make-up, and I am spending the day at my parents' house. DH went back to work today. The sore throat is much better today too.

Oh by the way, while I was in the hospital yesterday morning, I turned on the news and they announced that in May 2012, Disney Cruise Line is going to start sailing out of NYC to the Bahamas! I hope that could be our next cruise!

Yay Bonnie! That was fast! I didn't have any time to worry about you, I've been too worried about getting packed for my road trip!

See that, no time to worry! I try and get back on my feet ASAP, that's the way I am! Everyone has been reminding me to keep taling it easy and not to do too much. Don't worry, I will keep relaxing!

 

[Leshaface]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while and i'm sorry...

I went to SF with some friends this past weekend...it was a great trip, but I wish it ended better...

It seems like i'm never catching a break to write my FANTASTIC update! This weekend is the Cambria Chili Cook off that my family goes to every year, and we're leaving early then expected on Friday, which means I have to get stuff done at work before we leave...pfft work always gets in the way.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while and i'm sorry...

I went to SF with some friends this past weekend...it was a great trip, but I wish it ended better...

It seems like i'm never catching a break to write my FANTASTIC update! This weekend is the Cambria Chili Cook off that my family goes to every year, and we're leaving early then expected on Friday, which means I have to get stuff done at work before we leave...pfft work always gets in the way.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

OMG, is it that time of year again already? I swear I remember you talking about that chili cook off on your old dining review thread! Seems like yesterday... Enjoy!

 

[heathsf]

I've been away for so long!!! But I'm back!

I loved reading about DL and can't wait for more. Those headboards in your hotel room are amazing!

Bangzoom - SO happy to hear that your surgery went well and that you're feeling better every day!

 

[Leshaface]

HI ALL!!!!

My gosh, you will not BELIEVE the craziness that has gone on for me! It's literally been one thing after another all April and this part of May!

I've been lurking on threads like Alison's, but not posting anything because I never knew when I would come back on to respond!

So I hope everyone still loves me

AND can you believe my trip is already next month??? What the heck!?

But i'm back in full force now!

 

[franandaj]

Glad to hear you are safe and sound and back....
















Now where is that update from your DLR trip that we were promised!

 

[bangzoom6877]

HI ALL!!!!

My gosh, you will not BELIEVE the craziness that has gone on for me! It's literally been one thing after another all April and this part of May!

I've been lurking on threads like Alison's, but not posting anything because I never knew when I would come back on to respond!

So I hope everyone still loves me

AND can you believe my trip is already next month??? What the heck!?

But i'm back in full force now!

Hi!!! Great to see you here again!

It's funny, because I paid for my cruise in full last week, and I was thinking about how close YOUR cruise is now...next month!!!

Just to give you a quick update...today is 6 weeks since my surgery. I have been going to physical therapy for 3 weeks (twice a week). I am making excellent progress. Twice a week at home, I am doing a walking workout (Leslie Sansone). I started with the 1 mile walk, and Monday I did the 2 mile walk. I am also doing lower body exercises at home, and core exercises. It all feels wonderful! So, I go to PT on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I exercise at home on Mondays and Fridays.

Unfortunately, I had a very bad bout of IBS, and my doctor told me to avoid dairy for a few weeks. I did, and then he said to just proceed with caution. I am fine eating yogurt, but everything else seems to bother me. I still eat pizza occasionally, but it does give me some mild symptoms. Unfortunately that means no ice cream. So I have been experimenting with non-dairy versions of ice cream. Luckily for me, I live in Brooklyn and there are a lot of kosher restaurants here. So, that means there are places that sell non-dairy "ice cream" and it tastes great!!! I already contacted the cruise line about both DS6's shellfish allergy and my lactose intolerance, and they assured me that they always have soy milk and non-dairy creamer onboard, and that I can speak to the restaurant manager and they will accommodate me. That was music to my ears. And I already checked...apparently most of the restaurants at WDW serve tofutti ice cream and are very accommodating to people who can't have dairy! So I am set for this summer's vacation and next summer's!

So...how many days until your cruise? I have 73 until mine, so I know yours is getting SOOOOO close!

 

[Leshaface]

Glad to hear you are safe and sound and back....
















Now where is that update from your DLR trip that we were promised!

Writing it right now!

Hi!!! Great to see you here again!

It's funny, because I paid for my cruise in full last week, and I was thinking about how close YOUR cruise is now...next month!!!

Just to give you a quick update...today is 6 weeks since my surgery. I have been going to physical therapy for 3 weeks (twice a week). I am making excellent progress. Twice a week at home, I am doing a walking workout (Leslie Sansone). I started with the 1 mile walk, and Monday I did the 2 mile walk. I am also doing lower body exercises at home, and core exercises. It all feels wonderful! So, I go to PT on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and I exercise at home on Mondays and Fridays.

Unfortunately, I had a very bad bout of IBS, and my doctor told me to avoid dairy for a few weeks. I did, and then he said to just proceed with caution. I am fine eating yogurt, but everything else seems to bother me. I still eat pizza occasionally, but it does give me some mild symptoms. Unfortunately that means no ice cream. So I have been experimenting with non-dairy versions of ice cream. Luckily for me, I live in Brooklyn and there are a lot of kosher restaurants here. So, that means there are places that sell non-dairy "ice cream" and it tastes great!!! I already contacted the cruise line about both DS6's shellfish allergy and my lactose intolerance, and they assured me that they always have soy milk and non-dairy creamer onboard, and that I can speak to the restaurant manager and they will accommodate me. That was music to my ears. And I already checked...apparently most of the restaurants at WDW serve tofutti ice cream and are very accommodating to people who can't have dairy! So I am set for this summer's vacation and next summer's!

So...how many days until your cruise? I have 73 until mine, so I know yours is getting SOOOOO close!

I'm so glad to hear that everything is going great with you! I was just thinking about you the other day also, wondering how things were going with recovery and whatnot.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I had IBS for a while and it went away after 6 months. I was constantly uncomfortable because I couldn't stop eating dairy. Seriously my entire diet consisted of dairy products daily! Cream in my coffee, cereal in the mornings, yogurt, cheese on sandwiches, chocolate milk, ice cream, etc etc. It was horrible and hopefully it will go away soon

32 days until we fly out and 31 till we actually board the ship! I'm getting VERY excited!

Just yesterday, we FINALLY found out our stateroom number. We requested to be near my brother and he's about 30 doors down. My brother was not very happy. I swear, we're NEVER using a TA again. PLUS, we still don't have our flight information! I like to have all that in order because it gets me super hyped, but still the waiting game unfortunately

So now you're paid in full...are you pretty much all set to sail?

 

[Leshaface]

As I was telling Bonnie, we finally got our stateroom number yesterday...Category 5A #10508.

So if you take a look at this thread and go down to the picture underneath the "And the forward part", you can see our room near the front

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2586763&highlight=dream+staterooms


And a closer look

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38785502&postcount=88

It would be the second verandah on the top floor of the staterooms if i'm looking at that correctly.

My brothers stateroom is about 30 rooms away from us. Ideally, we would have like to be a couple doors down, so we can kind of be together, but I guess there's nothing we can do about it now.

AND we still don't have our flight information. Irritation is fully enforced! I like having everything all ready planned out and I hate that i'm not in control...i'm hoping the TA will at least be able to put all four of us next to each other on the plane (like we asked 6 months ago) but we'll see.

Next weekend, we'll be making a trip to Fresno to get Dan a suit or a jacket for our dinner at Remy and I need a nice evening/cocktail dress as well. So i'm pretty excited about that since the last time I wore a nice dress was for prom YEARS ago! It will be fun to dress up again!

And now to continue on with my Disneyland adventure!