BroganMc's Live Blog from Disney

[BroganMc]

Wow, you have been through a lot. My family was at SSR from 10/7 until the 13th. I can't believe that I didn't run into you at some point. We were in the last Paddock building that is closest to Congress Park and used that as our bus stop when catching a bus from the room. Or we would catch a bus from the Springs stop after stopping by Artist Palette. After reading about GM I was keeping an eye out for you not remembering your exact dates and if you would be there at the same time. I am glad to hear that you made it home safely.

I was looking out for DISers too but I ended up running around so much I was like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I haven't stopped running actually.

Which brings me to my running update. If I recall correctly I left everyone off on Sunday night... my girl's night out at Food & Wine.

Well then came Monday, a very rainy and dreary Monday it was too. I think Pooh and Friends refer to it as a "Blustery Sorta Day".

It started well enough. There was the midnight controversy with my brothers. My eldest brother (the one charged to fly GM home) still hadn't returned a phone call from Sunday acknowledging that I was to fly home with them as well (letting my cousin take a sleeper car on the autotrain home the day before). So when I woke up middle of the night (drinking always gives me the nightcrawlies for some reason) and saw there were now only two available $99 tickets on our 12:35pm Southwest flight I decided it was better to just book them. Worst case I figure my brother already had two tickets and I'd have one extra that could be cancelled for a credit.

So by morning I try contacting my brother again. Cell phone, home phone, e-mail, even a few smoke signals. GM is starting to get frustrated because we're not getting a response and he's worried about how we'll manage getting home. Cousin tells us that we'll manage just fine solo. He's blinded by my illusion of responsibility and thinks I can do anything, poor guy.

Our task for the day was twofold... a follow-up appointment with GM's orthopedic surgeon ("Mr. Downer") and an early dinner with our Boma friends. Pako even calls during her morning shift to tell us she's booked us a 5:15pm ressie. GM's excited about seeing Pako and Linda before he leaves. Cousin just wants the buffett food.

The doctor's appointment was scheduled for 2:45pm. So we hung out in the room that morning so GM could get plenty of rest. His leg swelling had increased just a bit but he was in mostly good shape. His only concern was an elevated BP, which he attributed to anxiety over the doctor's appointment. PT Julie calls us to arrange an appointment the next day. Apparently the Visiting Nurse Association finally found the right paperwork and ordered PT for GM. So we have something to look forward to after the doctor's appointment.

I mapped out the directions and had the route all planned. We had plenty of time. The sun was shining and cousin ordered everyone to don their shades. Everything was perfect until we stepped out the apartment door.

Literally 10 steps from the door the heavens opened up and rain began to fall. I put my sunglasses away and reached for my regular glasses. Oops, they weren't where I left them. No time to look. We need to get GM in the van. So cousin pulls up the van, deploys the ramp and I drive my chair in. GM decided to use the wheelchair this trip just because he expected the corners to be tight in a doctor's office. So cousin has to jump out of the car to push GM in.

No sooner do we get settled and are leaving the SSR gates then my cell phone rings. Some 5 hours after my smoke signals went up my brother has finally gotten the message and decided to call. No time to answer. I have to be navigator to my cousin. So I let it go to voicemail and the rain comes down harder.

Now Google said the doctor's office was a rather short drive about 10 miles away. It involved using the 417 toll road but it's off John Young Parkway, a road I'm familiar with. It seemed simple enough when I planned it. Then we turned off 417 and the rain became a torrent of hurricane proportions.

Here I am with my sunglasses on because they are the only prescription lenses I have at hand to read signs trying to navigate based on roads I can barely see and signs I can read only when we're practically on top of them. My poor cousin is trying to dutifully follow directions but his rights and lefts are all mixed up. The map says to exit and turn left onto Town Loop Road. We do... and end up in a residential community.

Crap. Ok, I have the doctor's office number. I'll just call them and ask. So I call and tell them we're at the 7-Eleven on Town Loop Road. They tell me to go back on John Young Parkway and take the next traffic light down on the left, the office is behind the Burger King. It should say South Town Loop Road. Oh, ok.

So we exit back onto the Parkway, turn left and find the next road to be something with a B. Maybe it's the next light. Nope. No Burger King anywhere either. By the 3rd traffic light we figure we've been led astray. So we double back and I call the office again. Voicemail. I keep calling as my cousin finds his way past 417 and into a shopping center. After the 6th call I finally get through to the doctor's office. The girl on the other end answers "Hello, please hold" and then never comes back. I hang up and call again. Voicemail. Rain comes down even harder (if that's possible) and GM starts thinking we've entered the Twilight Zone. Does this doctor's office even exist?

I hang up and call again. I get a lady and before she can say more than hello I practically scream "I'm trying to get my father there for an appointment, we're lost and your office people keep yanking my chain!" Ok, the lady asks me where we are. I tell her the name of the shopping center off the Parkway. She doesn't have a clue where that is. Uh oh. So I begin rattling off stores I see in hopes something rings a bell. She tells me they are behind the Burger King. What Burger King, I snap? I see every other restaurant but a Burger King. She tells me they are south of 417. Ok, so are we. She tells me they are beyond a shopping center. Ok, we're in a shopping center. She tells me you see an Applebees on the right. Bingo! We have an Applebees in this shopping center.

She tells me we're very close then. Just exit back onto the Parkway, go down one traffic light and the Burger King is on the left. Turn left. So cousin drives back out and we get to the first traffic light. No BK. My blood pressure goes up a notch but we decide to go a bit further before I start with the obscene phone calls to the office. Ah, the 2nd traffic light reads S. Town Loop Road. And there on the corner with the tiniest sign ever made is a Burger King. We turn left.

I immediately see a medical office complex with the correct address on the right. I tell my cousin to turn right. He turns left. (I later discover something I didn't know about my cousin. He's dyslexic. Brilliant man, college graduate and runs his own business. It just never occurred to me he had dyslexia too.)

We finally get to the doctor's office and find a van accessible spot. The rain lets up a bit. We are 15 minutes late after starting an hour early. But GM is in relatively good spirits. Cousin pushes him into the doctor's office and we think fondly of our warm winter jackets. The office is set to a chilly 68 degrees. The waiting room is tiny and fully loaded. So GM and I sit in our respective wheelchairs and wait. The receptionist tells us it'll be awhile so I decide it's time to call my brother back.

This is my other brother, not the one who is to fly back with GM. I figure he's checking in or something. But when I step outside to call I discover my 3am plane ticket purchases have sparked a controversy back home. Seems eldest brother hadn't bought the tickets like he said he was doing Sunday and now there are no cheap seats left. Elder brother also has a broken cell phone and was out the previous night dealing with an emergency medical issue of his own. I get the inquisition of why I needed to fly home and how dare I change the plan and by the last seats available. Besides Airtran is a much better airline, my brother tells me, even though I know Southwest and chose them for their skill with disabled passengers. A flurry of phone calls ensue with me vowing to just disown my family and GM wondering what all the fuss is about.

I stop answering the phone when GM is finally taken back into the exam room. He's been waiting 2 hours now. He's freezing and the med tech sits at the computer in the exam room silently typing records into the computer for 10 minutes before he even acknowledges us. Turns out he (Bruce) is a nice guy but they are exceptionally busy and overworked today.

GM gets his bandage taken off along with sutures removed. For all that surgery he only has a small bruise at the hip and a tiny incision on the thigh. It looks wonderfully healed. They take him back to xray and the doctor comes in to give his finale report. The rods and pins are looking very good and he tells him to follow up at home with his doctor. He asks when we are leaving. Friday. He asks if GM is headed to the rehab hospital then. Apparently this doc is big on rehab hospitals. No, we're headed home for home health care. Ok, doc writes GM a prescription for PT. We ask to see the xrays. They look like GM's hip has been crucified. He's got one long rod nailed through his hip and another through his femur. Both are pinned in place. Tiny cracks are all over the bones.

We finally get to leave the doctor's office at 6:30pm. We're the last ones in the place. Pako calls during the appointment. She was running late too on the bus but we decide to keep coming, just late. All we need to do now is get back to SSR, grab GM's scooter and pick up my glasses. The rain even eases up a bit.

But by the time we get back on 417 again here comes the return of Hurricane Frustration. It should be easier this time. After all we only need to go in the reverse of the way we came. But 417 dumps off in a place unrecognizable. By the time the rain stops and the sun shines I see a sign pointing right to Disney World and see Osceola Parkway overhead.

We make it back to Disney property at long last. Stop at SSR for a bathroom break, grab the scooter, exchange phone calls with Pako (she's chilling at the bar with a mate). Then we try to look for my glasses. They are not on the table by the computer. Not in the bathroom either. My cousin begins ripping up the bed to find them. GM is getting tired and agitated. I figure just forget it and I can see without (or use sunglasses to read).

We jump back in the van and head to Animal Kingdom Lodge. All goes well until we try to find the actual entrance road to the front gate. Do not attempt the first two rights after you pass the traffic light. Not unless you want to end up in construction zones and cast parking.

We make it to AKL and Boma's with the dinner crowd rush at 8pm, 3 hours after our intended reservation. The ressie was under Pako's name so I try calling her. No cell phone service. Ok the bar's not large, but I remember Linda is supposed to work tonight, so I ask the CM's at check in for Linda. She'll know where Pako is. The CMs don't know who Linda is. They are new college program students. I'm about to pull out my camera and pics from the previous night when GM calls out "There's Linda!"

We look up and there she is, headset dangling from her right ear but a cheery smile on her face. She tells us Pako has been holding our table and come right this way.

There we find Pako with her fellow coworker Toomie, sipping Botswanian alcoholic cider. They've been having a good time and didn't mind the wait at all. We introduce my cousin and the 5 of us get along famously. Cousin and I have to go up and retrieve GM's food. The place is crowded creating food lines but they have the potato bacon soup I love and the Butternut Squash GM loves. Cousin just keeps filling up his plates, which he likes.

By the end of the night GM is quieter and exhausted. Time to take him home again. We pause to take group pictures and share a few stories. We also exchange contact info.

The rain has stopped and the sky clear when we exited. It is a full moon tonight. That probably explains half our problems for the day.

Tomorrow is another so we tuck ourselves in, take our various pain meds (me for my back and GM for his leg) and go to sleep knowing that even if my brother doesn't manage to finagle a ticket for himself we at least have our flight plan set for Friday. Also we never have to see that doctor again.

 

[BroganMc]

Tuesday, 10/14...

was to be the day we arrived home after our relaxing 3 week Disney trip. But on the 6th day of GM's resort rehab program, we hit a setback. GM wakes up early and takes his BP. It's back to normal but his heart is racing. 122 beats per minute.

A new visiting nurse (Sara) comes to see him and raises a red flag. She tells him if he doesn't calm down he'll end up in the hospital by the end of the day. (Yeah, that'll work.) She also notes the swelling in his leg. The one even the doctor didn't seem to care about the day before. GM tells her he had a long day the day before, overdid it a bit and he's been worrying over how he was getting home this Friday. He also tells her the hospital docs changed his meds and he's not taking a diaretic anymore. No fluid pill?! She puts 2 + 2 together and figures out that's probably causing his heart problems. So I speed dial his cardiologist at home and put her on the line. Cardiologist prescribes Lasix and debates whether GM is already in heart failure. These medical types love using the big scary words to ease patient's minds, don't they.

Cousin really starts to flip out. I go into my calm, controlled nurse mode. Start talking very quietly to everyone and reassuring them that it'll be ok. All the while I'm screaming inside worried to death my dad's in A-Fib again and gee aren't my siblings right he should be in a rehab hospital. But I send cousin off to get the Lasix (and get him out of the room to calm down). I tuck GM back into bed and do my best to reassure him about the trip home. He's asked my brother to get a ticket somehow but I promise that even if it's just the two of us we'll manage.

PT Julie arrives and I intercept her at the door. Nurse Sara said PT was ok today, but I want to make sure this PT doesn't overdo it and send GM into A-Fib like the hospital. She looks over GM, baselines his abilities and notes how strong and improved he has been doing. And when he gets up to visit the bathroom she whispers to me that she's very worried about his heart it's jumping all over the place. Cousin returns with the Lasix and we agree to see how things go for the next couple of hours. GM is having no other symptoms of distress besides the heart rate and he's adamant about not returning to a hospital. He'd end up spending most of it in the ER anyway.

So I put on some nice, soft classical music. My cousin pulls up a makeshift bed beside him and GM tries to drift off to sleep. He's still worrying about that flight home and how we'll get from SSR to the airplane so I volunteer to go talk to Disney and find out the procedure details.

I find Jason, the manager here at SSR. I tell him our wirry for the day and he gets details about Magical Express. Seems we have already been entered in the system with our flight number. That must've been magic because even I didn't know the flight number. He hands me a voucher for ME and phone numbers for Southwest. He even arranges some balloons for GM to cheer him up.

I call a friend who has been in heart failure for years. My friend I can tell anything too because she's pretty much heard and seen it all. She calms me down about the A-Fib worry and tells me stuff that make me realize GM just needs a day of rest.

Sure enough by mid-afternoon, GM's pulse starts returning to normal. The VNA checks in repeatedly to have him check his vitals. When they see the heart rate start coming down, they are satisfied to let him sleep.

Over dinner that night, my brother has called with news he failed to get a ticket so I calmly go over the plan for Friday, just me in my powerchair and GM in his scooter. GM listens intently asking the what if questions that worried him. I must've started to believe my cousin for now I know I can handle this flying exercise too.

GM is satisfied and crawls back into bed to mull over the idea of it just being the two of us.

 

[marshmallow]

Oh my goodness, I go stressed just reading about all you went through. I am glad you very able to get GM stabilized. The nice thing about reading this now is I know you are already home safely.

 

[loribell]

It is a good thing I do not know where your brothers live. I want to come up and smack them upside their heads. I can not believe they continued to do this to you. Big hugs coming your way.

 

[plutosbestfriend]

It is a good thing I do not know where your brothers live. I want to come up and smack them upside their heads. I can not believe they continued to do this to you. Big hugs coming your way.

I would like to know what your brothers have to say for themselves. They don't sound like they were much help to you or GM. Glad you are back home safe and sound. Big hugs and for you!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Caught up now

What a Monday! It had to be a Monday As frustrating as it was, I'm glad you found the Dr and still got to go to Boma for dinner

Are you sure Tuesday wasn't just another Monday? That had to have been so hard on all of you. I know that worrying about what's gonna happen can make things that much worse Good job keeping yourself calm and helping GM & cousin calm down

Sure hope Wednesday turns out better

 

[BroganMc]

Wednesday... the Day Brogan Ran Away to Disney

Ok so time for confession. I am not perfect, practically or otherwise. By Tuesday evening it was clear my dad had just needed a day of rest and was perfectly fine. He was so fine that when I was in the shower, he and my cousin decided to take off on their own.

I sat in the shower (finally getting to wash my hair after 5 days of running around taking care of everyone), heard them leave with a "Bye see ya later" and promptly decided to have one right good pity party for me. All I kept thinking about was that Halloween Party I had meticulously planned, cancelled, rescheduled, and cancelled to reschedule again.

See it was supposed to be on my birthday. A sorta consolation prize to make up for the fact no one in my family (ok my brothers and their families) wanted to celebrate it with me next year (or any year previous when I invited them). It was just gonna be GM and I. We each had a set of costumes to chose from (I had brought 5 alternative outfits, GM two). I had dinner at Cindy's Castle scheduled just for the two of us. And on my birthday, GM had his surgery to put the rod & pins in. Cindy's got cancelled but I had postponed the party for the next Saturday thinking at least my cousin and I could go.

Well that Saturday, GM exercised too much and went back into A-Fib in the hospital. So I had rescheduled it for the following Thursday thinking he'd be home by then, settled or at least in the rehab hospital the doctor raved about here in Orlando. No, that Thursday GM was released from the hospital and we spent the day getting him settled at the resort (with me running out to Walmart to buy him clothes and other supplies he needed). I had cancelled and postponed for the Thursday before we were set to leave town. It was my night of last resort. Surely my brother would be flying into town to take GM home and there'd be more than enough people around. After all, my cousin and I were going to take the van home by AutoTrain on Friday anyway.

But of course, as I sat in the shower brooding, I realized that with my cousin set to take the van home Thursday and no brother arriving to town that day, even I couldn't sneak off to see Mickey in costume. And GM had decided he would not do anymore parks for fear of overdoing it again.

I knew he was being smart. After all he is 76 with heart problems and a broken leg. Tuesday had been a nightmare of anxiety. A good daughter would just write off this year's trip and be content to have the chance to play nursemaid and companion to her recuperating dad. But all I could think about was how unfair it all was. The train tour I had scheduled... cancelled. The castle dinner for my birthday... cancelled. Even my inaugural trip to BWV when I was going to really explore the resort became a bed & bath between hospital trips. And didn't GM and my cousin just take off without me anyway?

By the time I finished washing the soap out of my hair and got dressed my self pity turned to annoyance and a healthy dose of anger. When I realized they had taken off with my refillable mug as well (and moved all my stuff to get to theirs), I was ready to ditch the lot of them. I even phoned that friend of mine and told her I was ready to move to her state and change my name. Anything to get away from my family and the mound of responsibility I get with only grief as payment.

Instead, I caught up with GM and my cousin in Artist's Palette, recovered my mug and told them I had to escape for a bit before I killed everyone. I promptly hopped a bus at the Springs and wound up in EPCOT.

I wanted to ride a few things and remind myself that I could be more than someone else's caretaker before I settled into another month of that at home. This was to be my last day in Disney and I wanted to say goodbye properly.

First I rode Soarin', but kicking up my heels to the hidden fireworks didn't lighten my mood this time. I was feeling bad about abandoning GM in a snit. After all, he couldn't help it that he broke his leg. So I found my way outside to a clear phone signal and called him. He was perfectly fine, enjoying the sunny skies over SSR with my cousin. They decided to get a jumpstart on the van packing and GM told me to just stay out and enjoy myself why I could.

So I hopped on Figment's ride and started to feel a little bit of joy seep back into my soul. It was still nagging me that GM wasn't here to enjoy it (or would allow himself that), but I was determined to get over my funk. Negativity was strictly forbidden.

Next I remembered what Sundee (the caring activities counselor we have at SSR) told me when she saw me head off that day... there's lots of good food at F&W. So I rolled up to Greece and promptly downed a spinach and cheese pastry. I love those things. Then I hopped a Friendship ferry across to Morocco and picked up a Grande Marnier Orange Slushie in France.

In Louisianna I watched the live band put on a show, thinking of how GM likes zydeco and picked up a couple CDs for him from the French Market. I had another cup of potato leek soup in Ireland and tried a boxty. Discovered I do not like pancakes and onions, which is what boxties are. Then I moved on to China for some potstickers.

The sun was beginning to set by then so I looked up my internal list of Disney things I wanted to do this trip. It was too late to try the ferry from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness. Fantasia Golf was no fun alone. But I could hop the monorail and take a journey to Magic Kingdom. I had yet to ride Haunted Mansion this trip and knew I'd torture myself this winder if I didn't at least ride HM before Halloween.

I called GM along the way as he and cousin settled in for dinner and a movie. My guilt wouldn't let me stay out all day so I promised I be back before fireworks. As it turned out I arrived at Magic Kingdom during twilight. The place was beyond packed with people already lining up for the 8pm Spectromagic. The wind had kicked up making the night air downright cold.

I made a beeline for Haunted Mansion and was treated with a ride stop right over the ballroom. I never get that chance to study the ghostly birthday celebration. But I think next time I'd like to get caught in the attic with that murderous bride or the cemetery with the glow-in-the-dark ghosts. When my doombuggy headed for the exit I thought about my life. The family that never does quite what you want them to do. The work that's fun but easily gets pushed aside when family crisis claims your time. Those dreams and ambitions you have for yourself and the torturous question of are you really doing what is intended for you? I asked God to give me a sign, something to tell me this role of mine as GM's buddy and dogooder caretaker was the right course. I guess you can say He answered for as my doombuggy slid by the mirrors, who did I find hitchhiking in mine but that old man with the wild hair. I laughed. I guess if you have to be stuck with the old man he could at least have a penchant for wild hairdoos.

From there I made my way down Main Street in a mad dash to escape Spectromagic before I got cut off. Seeing the size of that crowd and shivering myself in the night wind I was glad GM called off anymore park touring this trip. I wanted to get home myself.

My bus let me off at the Springs where I picked up some dinner, caught a glimpse of the movie at the pool (Mary Poppins) and headed back to our apartment. What I found was GM happily snoring, the TV droning on something sports, and my cousin off at Walmart shopping for some method of carting GM's walker around on his scooter.

One more day of lounging around SSR and then we'd be home in the cold north.

 

[loribell]

You know sometimes we need to have a pity party. I believe you were due! Your last day sounds like a nice day just for you. I am glad you got to do it.

 

[BroganMc]

Thursday... Our Last Day When Dreams Do Come True

The day started on a surprisingly good note. GM's morning BP and Pulse was very normal. The swelling in his legs went down so much we saw wrinkles reappear. His pain was minimal and he felt terrific.

Our morning ritual was slightly more complicated though. The visiting nurse had to come and do a discharge visit. My cousin had to pack up the last things and drive to Sanford to catch the train. My stuff kept appearing and disappearing as my cousin and I crossed purposes on the packing. Since it was only GM and I flying home together we decided to take only two carry-on bags: one for my laptop and electronics and another for our clothes. We figured we couldn't carry anything to be checked so that meant divesting ourselves of all fluids and sharp objects. My cuticle scissors, our soaps and shampoos, even the tube of toothpaste had to go. And I had to print maps to the train station and home to my house for my cousin.

My brother called and said he was working with the airline to get past security to help us at the gate in Baltimore. I also needed to return those Halloween tickets for a refund. I figured GM and I would take a ferry to OKW and have lunch or early dinner at Olivia's. The rest of the day we'd spend resting.

But by the time the nurse had left and my cousin was on the train, we decided to stay in and wait for PT Julie to come. I went off to AP for some drink refills, returned the Halloween tickets, and returned in time to see Julie take my dad through his last PT session. She had some good advice for GM about the plane trip. When to take pain meds and how to handle his stiffness. And she advised him to go do something with the rest of his day in Florida.

As soon as she left, GM and I talked about what we'd do with our last day. The day was warm and dry. That cool breeze of the night before left. But GM had no desire to head out for another meal. He wanted a nap and then to go to the Halloween Party.

The Halloween Party? Didn't I just return those tickets?

Well yeah, but we could go and see the parade and fireworks.

But all our costumes are on a train out of Sanford.

You could do a little trick-or-treating. Costumes aren't required in Disney. Besides we didn't get to do that for your birthday and this is our last day in Disney. I feel really good and if I just get a little nap now I can save up the energy for later.

Not one to argue with the change in wind, I dutifully went off to buy a new set of tickets and leave GM to his mid-day nap. The weather was absolutely perfect. Sunny, warm but not stale or humid at all. At Concierge I ran into another new friend Katima. She'd seen me so many times over the last two weeks asking for maps, cancelling and rescheduling events. When I told her I was there to rebuy Halloween tickets she just laughed. Turns out she's changing jobs to Member Services so I vowed to ask for her next time I called. She printed me a map of the orlando airport while we were talking so I could figure out exactly what our trek would be like in the morning. And she sent me off with strict orders to just enjoy the day.

I'd only been gone about 15 minutes and knew GM needed another hour of uninterrupted sleep to be happy so decided to keep myself scarce. I passed by the photoPass guys behind AP and hopped the ferry to DTD. I couldn't shop and risk overloading our two carry-on bags so opted instead for a ferry ride to Port Orleans.

I wanted to get a closer look at those TreeHouse Villas. I had already discovered the golf cart pathway to them in Grandstand (and snapped a few pictures for posting later). This ferry ride gave me a close up view of the houses along the canal, where I was surprised to find decks built and added to the frames of half a dozen houses already.

I stayed on the ferry at Riverside for a round trip. I was just coming home when GM woke up from his afternoon nap. A quick rest stop, an extra jacket for GM, microwaving our leftovers and packing a snack bag and we were off for the Congress Park bus stop.

We just missed the Magic Kingdom bus so decided to trek to Springs instead. Along the way I spotted Sundee at the Community Hall window. I knew she was scheduled for afternoons and this would be my last chance to see her this trip. So I raced over to the window to tell her two quick sentences, "I can't stay because I'm headed to the Halloween Party. Thank you for all the hugs."

Now I can't remember if I had told you all about the lovely things this lady did for me while at SSR. I met her last Spring when I was donning my sparkly pink fedora. She knew me as "pink hat lady" and I knew her as the bubbly grandmotherly type ice cream sundee. She used to work over at Fort Wilderness leading the campfire program but came to SSR last year. She's a round bundle of joy known to zip around campus in a sporty red scooter.

The day I checked in and did my flower arrangement, she guarded my flowers while i raced back to the hospital. The day of GM's surgery, the day I had gotten into that "discussion" with my brother, and as it happened my brithday, I returned for my flowers and really just needed a hug. Sundee came barrelling out of CH and wrapped her arms around me and just squeezed tight. For a moment it was like being hugged by my mom again. And the day my dad's heart raced here at the resort and both he and my cousin were in a panic, it was Sundee who talked me all through how she handles the flying with Southwest and her scooter. She knew how much I wanted to do that Halloween Party and how startling it was to see GM change his mind about it. So when I came to tell her we were going and goodbye, she again came barrelling out of CH, wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. No way was she letting me go without one last hug goodbye.

I promised I'd e-mail later when I got home and got settled. We still had that NYE party to plan (no I didn't forget DISsers). But the Magic Kingdom bus zoomed up and I had to dash across the street.

GM and I loaded on the bus along with a dozen costumed partiers. We arrived at the gates promptly at 7pm with the party in full swing. It was a bit of chaos with day visitors exiting and partygoers entering. Our mission was to head directly to our parade spot in Liberty Square before the 8:15pm parade.

GM spotted the funnel cake house just as we rounded the corner and asked for a bit. So I jumped in line and the next thing I heard was, "Hey how's Grandpa Mohawk doing?" It was Mickey the Barber on another night out. The last time I spotted him he was in EPCOT and GM was in the hospital. This time I was pleased to say, "Ask him yourself, he's right behind you."

While Mickey and GM caught up, I snapped a picture. I was pleased to see GM immediately going to primp his hair as Mickey walked off. Having that haircut really does liven GM's spirits. He's like Samson.

We settled into a spot by the Liberty Bell, munched on our funnel cake and leftover chicken nuggets. The castle show of villains was going off with fireworks and GM started planning a list of activities for the night. I guess he was catching a bit of Disney spirit. Now he wanted to trick-or-treat and roam the park.

The parade was excellent. Gravediggers sparking the pavement with their shovels. The skeleton zydeco band singing "It's Good To Be Bad". And GM was busy making friends with all the characters. The pirates loved him. The gravediggers high-fived him. Even the Queen of Hearts stopped to say hello. It was just like old times when his usual sparkly mohawk captures the center of attention. Now it was GM's wide, childlike smile.

From there we did a swing through the park picking up candy. I must say the candy was excellent this year. M&M's, Snickers, Musketeers and Skittles mixed in with Goofy's Candy. My other brother called just as we stopped for a bathroom break. If he had thought we'd be all bundled up in bed, he was surprised to find us park-hopping instead. I think we need to pity my siblings. You see as much as we are known for having troubles, what with GM's age issues and my disability, the two of us alone together are indominatable. Few things keep us down, and never for extended periods. So it's hard to figure out exactly what we need or want.

Alas by the time we headed for our fireworks spot, GM's leg began to ache. Since the swelling had gone down, sitting on the broken bone started to feel more painful. His energy for the rest of the night started waning but we managed to hold out just long enough for fireworks. We didn't make it to our exact fireworks spot early enough but found one just a little more to the right. A tree blocked most of the castle but we ended up with a more central spot for the panoramic Scream-Along. And I busily snapped pictures and caught GM on video laughing and smiling with glee.

On the way out we snagged a young college student CM named Samantha. She was holding the "See You Real Soon" sign and happily obliged us with her photography skills. I wanted one last picture with my dad in Disney for my birthday.

We ended up telling her the synopsis of our trip and all the wonderful things Disney staff had done for us over the last few weeks. From Manager Simon and CM Carol at BWV who took such good care of me when I arrived bedraggled and terrified at the trouble my dad got himself into on the way to Disney, to my guide Ricardo and SSR Manager Jason who miraculously finagled us the room for an extra 5 days for GM's first week of rehab, and all the CM's along the way who laughed, cried and never once refused a request for help. All of these folks helped us turn a disaster of a trip into a grand adventure. It made Samantha cry to learn what sort of company she chose to work with, and I guess maybe the kind of guests they worked for.

We left her with promises that we'd be back for New Year's, healed and raring for another less complicated Disney adventure.

 

[BroganMc]

Now I can give you a brief overview of our travel day home, but I want you to remember one thing before I go on. This trip the one thing I was most pleased to learn, the one thing I expected and was never disappointed, was just how truly wonderful the cast members at Disney are.

When I left church the day my dad fell and the church ladies fretted over sending me out into the world alone, they knew that I would be alright because I was headed to Disney. We hear a lot on this board about the things that go wrong. And sure there are mishaps and annoyances, but they are minor compared to the magic and goodwill Disney bottles in its employees. None of them do it for the money and I guess that's why they are so good. Whenever I'm there I wish I lived in Florida and could apply for a job at Disney instead. At the very least I am so glad I decided to join DVC and make Disney a second home for me. After all, home is where you are best understood.

As for our travel day home, it worked almost exactly as I had envisioned days before. We woke up, packed our carryons, loaded them on the back of my powerchair. I propped open the door with a doorjamb leftover from Walmart, loaded GM's walker on his scooter and took one last look in the drawers.

If anything went wrong it was the one drawer my cousin and I forgot to check when loading the van the day before. It was filled with my extra shoes. So that meant we needed to buy a bag to check. I came away with one of those black & white Disney tote bags and a DVC luggage tag.

We ate breakfast while waiting for ME. The lift-equipped ME bus arrived promptly at 9:30am and the driver loaded us both in the back. He dropped us off at Terminal A, closer to Southwest. We rode the elevator up to level 3, were ushered past the jammed JetBlue ticket lines and right up to Southwest's gate. Agent Rosemary hopped in and out behind the ticket counter to red tag our medical equipment (tells the airline what our equipment is, how to handle it and that it is not counted as luggage). We ended up checking two bags (the shoes and our clothing duffle bag) which indicates that we'd have no problem checking luggage in future.

We were directed through nthe wheelchair lanes at Security and even the TSA folks were super nice to us. Hopping the tram to Gate 129 for check-in and a quick trip to the restroom and we were ready for boarding.

Southwest is truly terrific with disabled folks. They kindly allow us to board first and take our chairs right down to the plane. The flight attendants and baggage handlers were great helping us stow our carryons and making sure we were seated safely. Because we boarded first we were allowed to get seats in that very first row with the extra leg room. GM and I both took medicine for our expected stiffness and pain. Then we settled into the flight sharing our last seat with Sandra, a solo traveller from Australia who's vacationing in the US for 5 weeks.

The plane took off for BWI at 12:35pm and was on time with a touchdown of 2:45pm. Now while us wheelies are allowed to board first, we are also the very last to deplane at the other end. So we waited in baltimore for the baggage handlers to bring up my chair and GM's scooter.

My brother never made it to the gate but as it turned out we had more than enough helping hands around. I counted about 4 baggage handlers and a half dozen flight attendants doing everything from retrieving our carry-ons to reattaching my footrest. And when GM's jury-rigged walker holder broke (it was only a bracket held up with zip ties), baggage handler Matthew offered to carry his walker for him all the way to baggage claim. Matthew even helped me retrieve our two checked bags and was just showing me to the ladies room when my brother came running up calling my name. Apparently he had spent the last hour waiting in line trying to get a pass to get through security to meet us at the gate. (For those of you following, yes I did smile inwardly over that one. A bit of poetic justice, eh?)

Anyway, my cousin had arrived at our house earlier that morning and spent the time moving things about, unpacking and getting us ready to live out the next 4 weeks here as GM recuperates. Both my brothers ended up being there that day, along with my nephew and my uncle. My SIL had sent food for dinner and GM got to tell his story to the whole family.

The last weekend has been a busy one for us. We've had to get help when we could from family (they still have such busy schedules) and develop procedures for how to do things ourselves.

Now I've lived with JRA and its subsequent disability for 30 years. I'm used to limited mobility and all the hazards of living that life. And I've learned one most important axiom... never say can't. I've been busy showing GM the ropes and together we've developed methods of doing everything from the laundry to taking out the trash. Today we did a round of doctor's appointments, blood tests and pharmacy runs. (Seems my cold has turned into infected ears. Too much congestion.)

We still have a lot left to do. And along the way GM is bringing a fresh perspective to this life of temporary disability. At last he's understanding why I do the things I do or fret over the things I fret over. He hates being dependent, hates waiting on someone else for help, and has even learned to abhor non-automatic doors. And I guess I feel satisfied that this life God sent me to lead has given me the skills and perspective I need to show GM the way through.

As for our family, well we try not to be too hard on them. They are actually a very caring bunch but cursed with able-bodied ignorance. They honestly do not know what confusion they cause and would be appalled if they did. Maybe when life calms down for them, kids' schedules settle, and they finally are gifted with the time to think they'll learn for themselves. Until then we just love them for who they are and cherish that we have each other to muddle through.

Now one last parting thought on our journey. As GM and I were getting into the van today (using another jury-rigged method to ensure no one blocked us out of our car), GM thought of that last night we went to the Adventurer's Club in PI before it closed. He said that's why I dragged him there, because as soon as it closed the Adventurers were bound to go off on another grand adventure in the real world. And as we all know adventure is both wonderful and terrifying. There are joys of accomplishments and perils of failure. It's exhausting but never boring. And when you think about it, isn't that the kind of life worth living?

 

[loribell]

You are an amazing woman.

I am afraid our waitlist is never going to come through for NYE and the thing that bums me the most is not being able to meet you & GM. I hope it does come through and we are able to get there. Regardless I hope you have a perfect trip.

 

[Pootle]

I've read every word and as I did so, I'm 'talking to you' in my mind, but a summary would be 'Wow, what a lot you've had to cope with' and what great spirit you show . The pity party was way overdue

I'm currently making plans for my first non-mobile trip (awaiting knee surgery) and was so impressed when you said: "Now I've lived with JRA and its subsequent disability for 30 years. I'm used to limited mobility and all the hazards of living that life. And I've learned one most important axiom... never say can't."

Inspirational attitude, good for you I hope GM has continued to make good progress.

 

[WolfpackFan]

You are a real inspiration to all of us. I think of all my little problems and they are nothing compared to what you have gone through. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

 

[DMKEDM]

You are amazing. My favorite line of all is the one about your family...that you love and cherish them as they are and that much of the problem you encounter w/them is that they're "cursed w/the ignorance of being able-bodied" (or something like that...I suppose I should go back and look for the exact quote, but that's pretty close)...

I grew up w/a mother w/disabilities (aftermath of polio and crippling arthritis) and so some of the "cursed w/the ignorance of being able-bodied" was "trained out of me" as a tiny child...we just always knew that Mom's arms didn't work and we were to run and fetch and carry, and do it in a way that wasn't obvious so Mom wouldn't feel bad, and above all--never wait to be asked--my Mom hated to ask for help, too...and she was as indominitable as you & GM...I'm not sure I am not just as cursed as anyone else w/the ignorance of being able-bodied, but your tales and my Mom do make me realize that it's awfully easy to take life's blessings for granted, and that many of the obstacles and challenges of daily life that seem so daunting at the time are in fact merely petty annoyances, easily solved and swiftly over.

YOu are yourselves an example of Disney Magic...and it makes me so happy to know that Disney spread its pixie dust all over you, as you have spread your pixie dust all over us.

Our world is better, I think, because you're in it. I hope these lessons of life that you've taught so entertainingly (and gently) here "stick"...I know having just finished reading this morning, it feels to me like I'll see the world in a significantly different way from here forward! Never again will I curse (aloud or inwardly) about having to carry something too far, or wait too long in a line, or have to make my way through rain...

God bless you, and GM, and your family--and thank you so much for sharing your story, and the generous gift of compassion and understanding that came with it...

 

[dgaston]

There are joys of accomplishments and perils of failure. It's exhausting but never boring. And when you think about it, isn't that the kind of life worth living?

You've brought me to tears with these words. They are an inspiring philosophy to live by.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow! You really do know how to make "lemonade" and make it sound as if it's just what you ordered.

Thank you for telling us your story.

Bobbi

 

[ChelleinNC]

Ok so time for confession. I am not perfect, practically or otherwise

Nobody is, but you come closer than most of us

I always love your reports, but this one was above & beyond touching. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Now, go get yourself healthy, let GM fully recover and get back to Disney so we can read the next report

 

[spiceycat]

what a great report!

thank you!

you are one lady who never say can't.

you are so brave and caring.

would have lived with my mother instead of sending her to a nursing home if I had half your spirit.

but had to continue to work and she knew it. the nursing home was the best for her. but did take her to Disney for her October birthday - before Dec and the nursing home.

you are wonderful.

now this cousin of yours - when do we get to see pictures?

more details please!

thanks for making me aware what life is for and enjoying it no matter what happens.

are you going in May by any chance - would love to meet you!

 

[BroganMc]

Checking back in again for a little post-trip update.

GM and I have settled in nicely at home in the wintery Maryland. Although we're enjoying the warmer 60+ degree weather the last couple days.

His recovery plan is going very well. He does outpatient PT twice a week. His orthopedist up here cleared him for weight bearing already. They had him walking with a cane and trying small steps already. They say he'll be back to normal in about 6 weeks (just in time for our return to Disney for NYE).

Other than that we've settled into a routine at home. Paying bills, doing work. GM is back at work but only one day a week. He's weaning himself back into things and his coworkers have been fabulous about it. He's been moved to the first floor while he recovers. (He does mostly desk jockey stuff and is the director/owner of a lab so has the luxury of working out those schedules.) Then there's the mundane stuff like household chores and errands. I have the keys to the car so set the schedule. Which probably explains why I've been so busy lately.

But yesterday for Halloween we donned our funny hats, went to his PT and treated ourselves to movies at the mall. (Saw High School Musical 3) Then encountered a parade of costumed kids trick-or-treating at the stores. Reminded us of Disney so much we promptly came home and pulled up the video from last year's Hallowishes fireworks. We're both very grateful we got to have that last night in Disney.

are you going in May by any chance - would love to meet you!

Yes we are. Our travel dates are April 26 - May 2 at Marriott's Cypress Harbour and May 3 - 10 at SSR.

We are still scheduled for the June trip with the family (June 21-26). After all the drama of the year, I confess I wanted to cancel it. But when we returned home, my nephew took one look at our Disney paraphenalia and excitedly announced he got to go to Disney for his birthday next year. It's June 25 and he'll be 11. He hasn't been in 4 years and never on his birthday. I haven't the heart to crush his, no matter how crazy my sibs make me.

I'm just waiting to make October '09 ressies and figuring out how I can give a gift back to my cousin. He really wanted to take his parents for Christmas, so I'm thinking about an early December trip for their family. And I feel woefully short of points. I think I may just go ahead and buy some BLT. I did like the studio.

So you'll see us all again.

Oh, and in case this thread gets irevocably lost, I have immortalized it all in Grandpa Mohawk's blog. I'm in the process of adding more pictures but the story is all there to read, including some more details I left out.

 

[marshmallow]

Thanks for the update! I am glad GM is healing so well.