Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[Pea-n-Me]

Hugs and prayers to all who need them.

Laura, sweet!! One thing you could consider if you ever do want to sell credits in the future is Craigslist. They have a whole section for tickets. You meet the buyer locally at a neutral location with wireless internet, and accept cash only. Bring a laptop and book the person's fare right there; they take down the flight #s and give you your cash. All set. It works out well for both of you - you get to sell your credit for cash, and they get a discounted price on their fare. I'd much prefer to take a trip, though! Good for you!

Waiting to hear how trips were for those just coming home.

Dawn, how are you holding up?

Well we have another wake to attend today. Hard to believe, but another young person (50's) related to the family passed away this week unexpectedly. He was at BILs funeral last month.

 

[snappy]

I am back and I am happy but tired.

The trip was wonderful, but the drive home absolutely did me in. No more driving for me. I felt great after flying up on the 22nd. . . last night and this morning I really am draggin' my betuskie, if you KWIM? Our clothes drier went down the night before our trip so I am faced with doing laundry at my mom's today.

Meeting Sha and her sweet mom, I tell ya was one of the highlights of my entire trip. I am not sure if you can see it from the pictures but Sha is a knockout redhead, she is stunning. The way she lavishes the love on her mom, you can tell she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I felt I had known her mom all my life, she was so dear.

We lucked out with the Florida wether as the rain showers the first days gave a double bonus (for us) of dropping the temps significantly and leading some guests to leave the parks. The rain also brought in a front that dried the humidity to the lowest I have ever had there in the summer with cool breezes day and night. The last 2 days were hotter midday but the mornings and evenings were magnificient with the strong breeze.

I thought it would be tricky having DD17's boyfriend with us but it was just the oppositie. He jumped in and took out trash and did ice runs when we needed it (why do the BWV full size villa fridges lack icemakers???). He also kept up with DD17's room key, park ticket, camera and phone. He made sure she had her sunblock on, which she willl never do when I pester her about it. He was sweet to DD12 and her friend and a delight.

DD17 and the boy friend were able to do their own thing when they wanted to between the easy walk to Hollywood studios and Epcot and the buses to water parks and Downtown Disney. I was surprised how many times they went with the rest of us though, and we had lots of our meals together. I even bagged a reservation at Cali Grill to celebrate graduation. They brought out Dd17's and her BF's (they graduated together) desserts with a big wafer of chocolate with Congrats! written on it in white chocolate. So cute. They loved the sushi there.

Having the friend for DD12 was a blessing as well. They shared meals, talked incessantly, took pictures and just generally were cooperative and appreciative.

I think it may have been our best trip ever. We will definitely invite friends again. The boyfriend had an interesting impact on DD17 as compared to last year when she brought her girlfriend that lives in Texas now. Maybe DD17 has just matured but she was never moody or demanding. My sister noticed a big change in DD17 at the graduation party we had at her house just before our trip. She just seems happy and it really shows and helps the family dynamic like you would not believe.

WE did 3 nights at the WL which was great but we were not upgraded to courtyard view like I had hoped. We DID have adjoining rooms which helped immensely. The kids loved the lodge, the pools and the hot tubs expecially the ones on the villa side.

The Boardwalk was amazing. I read over on the DVC board to request a unit over the Big River Grill and I knew to ask for upper floor. I think we had the ultimate location. The view was breathtaking of the boardwalk, the lake, the big ball at Epcot, both day and night. What I did not realize was that I would be able to view both the Epcot and MK fireworks each night. What a wonderful surprise that was. Walking to Epcot and Hollywood Studios was also unbelievably easy. Although I love WL, methinks I will stay at the Epcot resorts from now on. I want to try the Swan and the Dolphin too, I know Linda and Ann have stayed at either or both of those. I would love your opinions as to which is the best???

I was sad to leave, but 9 nights/10 days away was enough. Best thing, DH and I decided (well I decided and he concurred) to add a few nights to my RFTC trip in October using the bounceback deal to celebrate out 30th wedding anniversary. It is actually August 5th but with 2 leaving for college and one starting 7th grade on August 8th we decided to wait and go when it is cooler and cheaper. Since it will be just the 2 of us I booked the Yacht Club and then we will move to a DVC studio. Hoping to catch some of the F&W festival which we never have made to date. Maybe we will meet up with you Laura. We will be in WDW from Sept 26 through Oct 6 (although DH returns home much earlier). Does anyone know when the F &W festival starts up, is it end of September or early October?

I have read all the posts here and send wishes to everyone but I have just up my energy to post the trip report. I'll try and respond later when I have more pep.

Just know I carried you all in my thoughts throughout my trip. I was especially thinking of y'all in treatment and Avery.

Linda, I am sorry for your lump scare. I hate that you went through that but am glad it is resolving.

Later guys. . .

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA!

DD's appointment went well yesterday. We discussed the issues and tried a few things. Our OT says she can definitely help get her back on track, so it's going to be a busy yet productive summer. I have faith in her. She worked wonders for both my kids before. The good news was that after we meet deductible, insurance should pay 80% of our visits.

Today is "pack for camp day". DD is heading to church camp tomorrow. She'll be gone a week, home for an overnight, then back for a week as a counselor in training. We won't know what to do with ourselves...childless for two weeks.

I hope the OT goes well and DD sees improvement soon!
You will be shocked at how quickly those 2 weeks go! I was off work last week and I ended up with something on the calendar every single day! I'm off this week, too, but DS has exams so he is out at 12:30 and school is over on Wednesday.

GAGWTA!

Avery was hospitalized from the wee hours early Friday morning until dinnertime, apparently a kidney stone which is side effect of one of his chemo drugs
They are hoping it dissolves/passes in the next couple of days...otherwise the Make A Wish Trip departure Saturday may be an issue. So any stone-zapping thoughts and pixie dust would be greatly appreciated!!

Merry--enjoy your week! DD is gone for a week now too, house/dogsitting, but it's less than 20 minutes away, so I visited today and went with her on the 3 mile walk through the woods around a reservoir that is these 2 Weimeraners' daily romp. Except for the mosquitoes it is a lovely walk. We saw a loon on the water, which is a treat. Then took her to pick out/order a cedar blanket chest that is a graduation gift. Then out to lunch. A very nice morning/early afternoon

Again...GAGWTA!!

Tons of good wishes and Pixie Dust for Avery! I hope the trip is magical!
Sounds like you had a very nice time with DD!

Hugs and prayers to all who need them.

Laura, sweet!! One thing you could consider if you ever do want to sell credits in the future is Craigslist. They have a whole section for tickets. You meet the buyer locally at a neutral location with wireless internet, and accept cash only. Bring a laptop and book the person's fare right there; they take down the flight #s and give you your cash. All set. It works out well for both of you - you get to sell your credit for cash, and they get a discounted price on their fare. I'd much prefer to take a trip, though! Good for you!

Waiting to hear how trips were for those just coming home.

Dawn, how are you holding up?

Well we have another wake to attend today. Hard to believe, but another young person (50's) related to the family passed away this week unexpectedly. He was at BILs funeral last month.

Linda, I am sorry to hear of another loss for your family!
That's a great idea for airline credits. Not that I have any. I had some after our December trip that I didn't think we would use, so I sold them to a friend. Then lo and behold, we flew SW in April to visit my mom. Oh, well! My friend bought the credits at face value so we didn't lose anything.

Laura - Yay for another trip!! Not the least bit crazy!!

Snappy - I am so glad you had a nice time! It is good to hear that all of the kids had fun and didn't squabble with each other! We're trying Cali Grill in August for the first time. DS claims he likes sushi. We shall see!
We stayed at WL last summer and it was nice. Right now we're booked there for 4 nights in August but I am hoping to get one more night at AKV on points. Being off has given me lots of time to tweak our ressies AGAIN, so the plan keeps changing. 9 nights is our typical stay. DH is usually ready to come home by then. I am never ready to come home, which is why I wanted to do 16 nights this time around. At first DH said he was only going to come for one week, but then he decided to stay for the whole time.
Congrats on your anniversary trip!! Aug. 5 is my birthday. We went to WDW in October of '05 and it was lovely! Unfortunately the truancy board came after me so we haven't been able to do that again.

Mom has her surgical consult tomorrow. It feels like it has taken FOREVER to get to this point! Hopefully her ultrasound will show the tumor is greatly reduced and her surgery won't be too bad. Since the uterine biopsies were all benign MAYBE she doesn't have lymph involvement. That would be fabulous!

 

[snappy]

Crossing my fingers for your mom tomorrow, jackskellingtonsgirl. Sixteen nights are alot. When are you going? Once we stayed in an offsite 4 br pool house for 3 weeks. It felt like I morphed into a Florida resident. With the job now those days are over. I like onsite better anyway to allow the teens who can wander by themselves that freedom.

You will love the Cali Grill. My favorite sushi si the snake in the grass. We had a great appetizer too, it was a ravoli to die for. The desserts were crazy good too. Our waiters there are always attentive. I was shocked I got a reservation at noon on the day we went. They take a $20 per person cover charge that you are assessed if you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation or are a no show. Maybe that is why I got the ressie same day??? For our anniversary trip we are going to try the steak place at the Yacht Club, I understand it is good and a good adult pick for us for this trip.

I would be in trouble with the truancy board, IF we had one here. I have taken DD12 out early from kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades and this year for the last day of school. As long as you get an OK ahead of time here, it works, but this is Catholic elementary school and we have a great principal. High school is very different.

I love Merry's idea of having a contact list. I am in!!! I REALLy don't want to lose touch with any of you sistas.

Sha, thanks for posting the pictures of our meet at Hollywood studios. My fav is the one of you and your mom, what lovely smiles in that one. What a great memory. Tell your mom hi from her Disney survivor friend. I felt like I could be her sister, can I adopt you as my niece?

I need to get DH to load our pictures to the computers but right now he and DS19 are dealing with the lawn. It got a bit out of control during our absence. I'll have to go through the pictures and see what is worth posting. Between DD17 and myself we have close to 1000 pictures. I won't subject y/all to THAT!!!!

I have a lot of shots of DD17 and the boyfriend. I found mickey ears with grad cap and tassel for each of them and had them personalized at Le Chapeau in MK. I have a feeling the pictures with the grad ears on will be priceless. They are both pretty photogenic so we will see. I was surprised how they enjoyed wearing them in the parks until it got too hot the last two days. They really got into the Disney spirit. When I thanked them for coming on the trip at the grad dinnerat Cali Grill, they thanked me profusely, hugs all round, and I proceeded to cry. It was one of those moments a mom holds in her heart forever.

 

[Sha]

You will love the Cali Grill. My favorite sushi si the snake in the grass. We had a great appetizer too, it was a ravoli to die for. The desserts were crazy good too. Our waiters there are always attentive. I was shocked I got a reservation at noon on the day we went. They take a $20 per person cover charge that you are assessed if you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation or are a no show. Maybe that is why I got the ressie same day??? For our anniversary trip we are going to try the steak place at the Yacht Club, I understand it is good and a good adult pick for us for this trip.

I love Merry's idea of having a contact list. I am in!!! I REALLy don't want to lose touch with any of you sistas.

Sha, thanks for posting the pictures of our meet at Hollywood studios. My fav is the one of you and your mom, what lovely smiles in that one. What a great memory. Tell your mom hi from her Disney survivor friend. I felt like I could be her sister, can I adopt you as my niece?

Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, it was great meeting you too! I will tell mom Hi and everything... Please PM me your email and home address. I just think I realized something yesterday... The Grays is your DH?? or am I way off? I was looking at the posts for Master Mason's Bday that I did and saw the same avitar...
I can be adopted... niece... sister... LOL

Love the idea of a contact list myself. We sort of talked about that when we met up. And LOVE CG!!!! and the Yachtsman is wonderful too! I am suppose to be packing.... and I havent gotten anything done yet!

Sending prayers and pixie dust!!! and lots of hugs to everyone who needs them!

 

[snappy]

Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just think I realized something yesterday... The Grays is your DH?? or am I way off? I was looking at the posts for Master Mason's Bday that I did and saw the same avitar...

not sure what you mean about the grays, is that another poster? My DH does not post here.


Make me curious iof we have a twin family from another universe (could there be another wacky family like ours????)

 

[Sha]

not sure what you mean about the grays, is that another poster? My DH does not post here.


Make me curious iof we have a twin family from another universe (could there be another wacky family like ours????)

its another poster and that is the ID

wasnt sure so that is why I asked

 

[Sha]

Meeting Sha and her sweet mom, I tell ya was one of the highlights of my entire trip. I am not sure if you can see it from the pictures but Sha is a knockout redhead, she is stunning. The way she lavishes the love on her mom, you can tell she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I felt I had known her mom all my life, she was so dear.

thanks! thats so sweet!!!! got me tearing up here!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OMG I was if The Grays was snappy's DH!!

My DH registered, but has never posted. He has exactly one PM - from me!!

(PS Sha - I was a little confused by that bday thread.)

 

[snappy]

The Grays sound interesting. I need to do a search on the user thread and see what the joke is.

Anything to keep from starting on the laundry.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

LOL, Laurie. There's no joke, really. He's one of the newer posters on the Photography Board. I guess it just seemed funny that he'd never "revealed himself" as your husband. (Hmmm, that sounds strange...)

 

[snappy]

Yeah, "revealed himself" does have a double entendre meaning.

Ok what I don't get is why Sha thought he might be my DH? Did he just return from the world too?

Curious minds want to know??

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Ha - I think she said because he has the same avatar as you.

 

[Sha]

OMG I was if The Grays was snappy's DH!!

My DH registered, but has never posted. He has exactly one PM - from me!!

(PS Sha - I was a little confused by that bday thread.)

Why are you confused about the bday thread?

and yes, same avatar... dog with bone on nose that is why I thought that.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Why are you confused about the bday thread?

Because I know he has a son that age. I thought maybe it was tongue in cheek?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Crossing my fingers for your mom tomorrow, jackskellingtonsgirl. Sixteen nights are alot. When are you going? Once we stayed in an offsite 4 br pool house for 3 weeks. It felt like I morphed into a Florida resident. With the job now those days are over. I like onsite better anyway to allow the teens who can wander by themselves that freedom.

You will love the Cali Grill. My favorite sushi si the snake in the grass. We had a great appetizer too, it was a ravoli to die for. The desserts were crazy good too. Our waiters there are always attentive. I was shocked I got a reservation at noon on the day we went. They take a $20 per person cover charge that you are assessed if you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation or are a no show. Maybe that is why I got the ressie same day??? For our anniversary trip we are going to try the steak place at the Yacht Club, I understand it is good and a good adult pick for us for this trip.

I would be in trouble with the truancy board, IF we had one here. I have taken DD12 out early from kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades and this year for the last day of school. As long as you get an OK ahead of time here, it works, but this is Catholic elementary school and we have a great principal. High school is very different.

Thanks for the good thoughts for my mom!
We leave on August 1 and come home August 17. I have heard great things about Cali Grill, so I am excited to try it! I can't remember if I knew about the cancellation fee? AKL IPO made the ADR for me. We went to Yachtsman Steakhouse once and we were underwhelmed, but we are going to go again and see if we like it better this time. We have DxDDP for 6 nights so we're doing buffet breakfasts and signature dinners.
The truancy thing is just stupid. DS is an honor roll student. Missing 4 days in 4th grade didn't make a bit of difference in anything! But the truancy rules are VERY strict and they threatened to fine me $500 and charge me with a Class C misdemeanor. Our attorney was actually kind of hoping they would, but since DS didn't have any additional unexcused absences they left it at a warning.

LOL, Laurie. There's no joke, really. He's one of the newer posters on the Photography Board. I guess it just seemed funny that he'd never "revealed himself" as your husband. (Hmmm, that sounds strange...)

Poor oogieboogieman has already been outed as my DH.

 

[Sha]

Because I know he has a son that age. I thought maybe it was tongue in cheek?

oh I forgot about Billy's age... LOL.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Poor oogieboogieman has already been outed as my DH.

I'm sure if we ever meet up we'll have a lot to talk about, having the same camera and all. BTW, will you please show him how to post pictures?

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Linda- We thought about doing Craigslist too. I sold some bigger items on there and it went great. I don't have a laptop, but if I did I would probably be dangerous...

jackskellingtonsgirl- I think I have seen your hubby's pictures on the food porn thread...am I right? My hubby has only posted here once, on my username, only because I made him contact a bunch of my cyber friends when I was hospitalized in 2005. I don't think he ever posts on any BBs, he is such an introverted, private person. I'm an introvert who wears her heart on her sleeve! I love my cyber friends!!! Your 16 day trip sounds awesome! You'll have to let us know how the AKV are. I have stayed in a regular savanna room at AKL and loved it! CA Grill is our family's one must do restaurant in WDW. I hate to talk it up too much, I wouldn't want to hype it. We love the sushi there, they have a wonderful filet mignon (I get the sauce on the side) I only had one chicken entree there that was heh, ok. DD and I were sharing and she chose it, so it's her fault! Once, we had been there early in the stay and couldn't get another reservation to go back later in the week. Our server told us we could just show up and eat in the lounge, so we did, had sushi and a flatbread. My oldest dd and I took Laurie there for sushi in the lounge last Sept. and you can see she's hooked now too! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one tweaking plans. My kids are making fun of me. Every time they come home they ask me what I've changed today... I can't believe your school took it that far with the truancy, sheesh! Life's too short...

Laurie- What a magical trip! I can see how much your older dd has grown and what a good pick she has made in her BF! I know my youngest dd (11) would LOVE to bring her BFF too! I am so glad you got to celebrate the grads at CA Grill! I have heard the ravioli appetizer is wonderful! I loved what you wrote about Sha and her mom...very sweet! Sounds like you had an awesome location at the BWV! Told you you'd love it! I asked on the DVC board and someone told me to ask for "Village Green". We were in a studio on the second floor, right around the corner from the lobby, above the Wyland Galleries, wonderful! Sounds like your view was the best! I love the convenience! We've stayed at the BCV too, you can't beat Stormalong Bay! Glad you had fun at our WL too! I would love to go back someday, but was spoiled by our courtyard view upgrade too.

Ok, are you ready for this? One of my first thoughts when I started planning my Sept. trip was dang, I'll just miss Laurie and the RFTC...

I am planning on us arriving on either Sept. 26 or 27!!!

In the interest of $ it's probably going to be the morning flight on the 27th, I just have to see how it pans out with SW flights. Hubby, as I said is a resort snob and won't stay in a Value again. It is getting a little tight when us girls are getting ready and there is little privacy...so he wants to book CSR. It looks like with the bounceback rate for Value season it comes out to $117 a night. (Laurie remember how cheap our WL rooms were last Sept.??? Wish I could get that rate again!) Food & Wine Festival starts on Sept. 26! My kids have the 29th & 30th off school so we are coming home on the 30th.

I was doing some Disney math and trying to figure the cheapest way to do this since it was not in the budget (who am I kidding, what the heck is a budget?!?) But I am still on a financial mission with my one credit card to pay it off by the time my 0% offer runs out...so I do have that in the front of my mind. I doubt we are going to fork out the $$$$$ to renew our APs (blasphemy I know!) I have old non-expiring PHs with pluses for the waterparks left. I thought we only had 1 plus left, but I looked on them yesterday I the last thing I wrote on the back was 2, so I'm going to take them with me to GS and have them check. I think we are only going to buy a one day park ticket to Epcot. It's our favorite park and hubby's birthday is on the 28th, so I think we are going to go commando and spend the whole day at Epcot. It looks like Sheena Easton is playing that night..."My baby takes the morninig train..." "U Got the Look"

We can do one (or two) days at the waterparks and fill in with DTD, boardwalk, hanging at CSR, renting bikes, boats whatever. I booked CA Grill for his birthday dinner on the 27th since we'll be in Epcot on his actual birthday. It will be a laid back hang out kind of trip and that's ok. Our trip next week is 9 days for us girls, only 4 1/2 days for hubby. Our longest stay was the whole family, 10 days on free dining a couple of years ago and it was a little much for hubby. I would love to take a super long trip! Take the girls and set up as locals for a month or so...a girl can dream! Anyway, since we will be there on a longer trip soon, I don't mind not doing it all in Sept. We'll be doing our favorites. If I cave on my budget and decide blow the bank I'll add a day at MK...
Whew!

Hi Pop Daddy!

 

[lookingforward]

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been out of touch. I am reading about your upcoming and recently past trips to WDW and loving it. All your plans and experiences sound so nice. The longest I ever did at WDW was 11 days and it was amazing. So relaxing.

I have a deluxe trip planned for December to the GF but now my daughter wants to do a disney cruise. The only disney cruise we went on was a four night that was cut to a three night due to a hurricane. We missed the private island (damaged by the storm) and we were obviously stressed from all the damage we knew we going to return to at our home. SO...I am considering the three night on Dec. 4th...which would put me at my one year post cancer anniversary (Mastectomy date 12/5) while on the high seas. Turns out it would actually be much cheaper than the GF deluxe. What do you all think?

Anyhow, I am slowly plodding through radiation. I HATE it. Truly resent that I "have" to go, and its annoying to go every day. But go I must. My skin is holding up so far. The nurse practitioner was telling me all the possible side effects and she was droning on and on and she said "As you progress in your journey..." and I looked at her and said "Journey? A trip or vacation is a journey...this is a F'in nightmare..not a journey". And she was speechless. I love how people who don't have cancer give it cute little names. (even though I am sure I will someday look at it as a journey...but NOT NOW!).

I went to my cancer center's "survivors day" and realized I don't like cancer centered activities. I know I sound ungrateful and I am NOT...I just don't like being defined by the cancer. Everyone in the support group and the clinics seem totally immersed in it. It will always be a huge part of my life, but I can't relate to some of it. I am being totally honest and please don't think I am a bad person. It was a nice day though, they really tried to do a great job. But I felt like bolting from the room.

I am praying for everyone who is undergoing tests, getting results, having treatment and those who are done with treatment and kindly supporting the rest of us as we get through it. I've missed you guys!