Cancelling issue (long)

[FreeTime]

Hi all!
I know that you are all probably tired of hearing about the issues that I have with family going etc, but I have another one. We were all set to leave on 5/29 and I just found out yesterday that one of us has to have their gallbladder removed (does anyone know how long it takes to recover?) As a result we are now losing a week or so of vacation for the recovery time and will have to cancel our Dec trip with family. Also we will have to reschedule within the 60 day mark for the points we will be losing in 2 weeks. Here is the problem, we want to schedule our make up trip before 9/1 when our AP's expire. We were going to offer to our invited guests that they are welcome to go by themselves in Dec. We will then use the points that we borrowed for our Dec trip to add on to our make up trip. However, they won't answer their phone (they are miffed with us about something else). So if they don't go in Dec there are additional points that we will need to use or lose. All of this needs to be done quickly so we can change our airfare dates and vacation days at work. Should we cancel their trip without talking to them and make them even more angry?
Thanks for listening. I really need some DVC love today since I have to cancel my much anticipated trip on Monday.

 

[lightningcoach]

I will keep you in prayers. Why don't you try to sell or trade some of your points and not offer it to them? Emergencies always come up and if they can't understand then they are really dysfunctional. (All of us are-it's just what level are you on.)

Sometimes bringing family and friends is more disaster than pleasure. And you can not control someone else's emotions or reactions. It's not your job to please everyone anyways. With that said- I am sending lots of pixie dust your way!

 

[colleen costello]

So sorry for your trouble. I don't like to aggravate friends, but neither could I stand to "lose" points. The one bummer about DVC seems to be the tough cancellation policy. Perhaps a letter to your friends with a simple explanation and a "respond by" date would help?

We have our house for sale and everything is crazy right now. I had to cancel a week at the Wilderness Lodge for fear of losing those points. Now it looks like we may be able to travel after all, and I am mourning the loss of that reservation -- when I call now, everything is booked! If we go, instead of the gorgeous Lodge, I will be crammed into a Moderate (I am spoiled, I know!)

DVC is great, but life is crazy sometimes and I am learning the "31 days or else" policy can be a bummer!

 

[zurgswife]

However, they won't answer their phone (they are miffed with us about something else).

I would either go over there and discuss in person or try to leave a voice message if they have a machine...

Do your best to try and reach them then punt...

Good Luck...

 

[mckryan]

Originally posted by FreeTime
Hi all!
I know that you are all probably tired of hearing about the issues that I have with family going etc, but I have another one. We were all set to leave on 5/29 and I just found out yesterday that one of us has to have their gallbladder removed (does anyone know how long it takes to recover?)

If it's done laproscopically, about 2 weeks. If it's done traditionally, about 4-6. Unfortunately, the docs don't really know until they get in there because what looks like it might go well may not look so good when they see the gallbladder close up. This happened to my DH and he had a traditional gallbladder surgery in December.

 

[canwegosoon]

Go by yourselves and have a great time before 9/1. In my experience I was up and going in 24 hours(a suprise 60th BD for my MIL 250 miles away). I felt a little weak, but had twins 3 months prior, so wasn't too different than I was already feeling
I was probably in top shape with in 2 weeks. I had the LAP surgery (with a C-section3 mos earlier). Sounds like there are many issues here that first need to be settled before trying to go on vacation together. Good Luck!!

 

[songo95]

I had mine out in 2002. Sorry to tell you but it all depends. I was down for three weeks. The dr. Told me 2 to 6 weeks. I couldn't imagine two. But I am a male and a I wimp.LOL Mine was laprscopic and still bothered me for awhile. Good Luck

 

[cramam]

I wouldn't cancel my trip if the surgery can be performed in the next few days. Most gallbladders can be removed laparoscopically(>99%). The normal time to return to work is 2 weeks for a typical patient. You may not be a park commando but you should be able to enjoy yourself. Since you are already in the 30 day window I would wait a bit and see how it goes. My 2 cents

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mckryan
If it's done laproscopically, about 2 weeks. If it's done traditionally, about 4-6. Unfortunately, the docs don't really know until they get in there because what looks like it might go well may not look so good when they see the gallbladder close up. This happened to my DH and he had a traditional gallbladder surgery in December.

I had mine out on a Tuesday and was at a party the following Friday. It was regular surgery, very fast recovery for me. At woman at work had the lapro done on a Wed. and was back at work on Monday.

 

[Beca]

One of my good friends had hers removed via lap, and she was at work two days later. Just know the "no fat" rule really means "no fat". She was "running" to the bathroom immediately after eating fat for MONTHS!!! But, other than that, she did recover VERY quickly!!!

Good luck,
Beca

 

[chainkid]

I had my gallladder removed laproscopically and I was able to go on vacation two days later but not commando style. Eating is alittle tricky if you eat fat and excess heat can make you very crampy. If they do a liver function test prior to surgery they can some times tell if you need the full blown procedure and that is a horse of a different color. I would say if the person is willing to take a relaxed vacation it is doable.

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks everyone! I guess I will wait a few more days before cancelling the trip and see how the surgery goes (either way we are within the 31 days so I guess it doesn't matter to wait a few more days). The issue with not having enough vacation for the December trip I guess will be dealt with whenever I can get a hold of these people!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Why are you cancelling your trip? No greater place to recover then WDW. Take charge of your life would be my advice. I had more serious surgery and the next week I was at a musical I had tickets for, catheter and all, it was uncomforatble sitting so I did leave at the intermission, but the point is I can think of no greater place to recover than WDW, that is what a lot of us do anyway when we are there, recover from the lives we leave when not there. Take charge, don't be a victim, if your friends do not call back then the hell with them, get tough.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree with your strategy to wait it out. I faced a similiar situation with our trip 2 weeks ago. My mom is on new chemo (breast cancer) and she didn't want to go. It was close to the 30 days when she found out and I didn't know what to do. I told myself it's only points and to give it a gamble. Up until a few days before the trip I couldn't get her to commit to it. Family and friends encouraged her to go. Her hair didn't fall out yet, so that encouraged her also. We ended up going and it was great! We took our time at the parks, spent more time relaxing in our 1 bedroom at OKW. She came back with a much better attitude and admitted she was glad she went. Hopefully yours will work out too!

 

[kathleena]

Wow, sorry for the stress in your life so close to vacation. And sorry you have to use vacation time to recover from surgery! And sorry that you are having a broken relationship with your invited guests (but maybe that's better to find out now........)!

And how nice of you to offer them the time anyway to go by themselves. The way they are treating you, I would be inclined to just forget the whole thing and say "sorry" unexpected illness, maybe next time.

But, since you sound like you would be more patient than me I would write them a letter saying that you couldn't reach them by phone, but you wanted them to know..............and would they please reply by...................if they want to use the points in December.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Why don't you call MS, and have the reservations changed to elevator or 1st floor access, near the hospitality house....

In case you can go....

and then see how the operation does go, and if so, take a break and go on vacation.

Maybe just skip the parks, and relax!

If you can't go.... I'd probably just rent out the points. Seems like the family isn't being appreciative, and you have other bigger things to worry about.

Best of Luck, Goldi

 

[Cruelladeville]

Keep those ressies! You will need to recover whether you are at home or at WDW, which place sounds better to you?? You need to walk--slowly--after gallbladder surgery anyway, don't you? If you get too tired, get a wheelchair. Actually, I faced a similar problem. I am having a hysterectomy on June 10, and I have had a trip planned for 11 months where I leave on June 28. Mine involves an incision, too, but I just didn't want to cancel my trip and try to re-book my airfare, so I am going anyway. I will be the person walking VERY slowly