Holding account usage-even possible?

[squirrlygirl]

We have a trip scheduled Feb. 11-15 for our anniversary. My mom is supposed to watch the kids for us. Last night she called and said her SO is in the hospital with a severe heart problem. He almost didn't make it yesterday, but is currently stable. They won't release him until they've figured out how to fix it. He's being transferred Monday to a heart hospital.

So there's a good chance my mom will be otherwise occupied taking care of her SO. And last night when she called me was day 30 out from our trip. I felt like a complete jerk worrying about this (I didn't say a word to her! But still...) but I'm trying to figure out what to do about our points.

We have a June use year. If we cancel it'll now go into a holding account. I could use the points to extend our April trip by 2 nights, but I can't even try to use them until Feb. 11th. Are we even going to be able to find availability for spring-time this close? I'm worried that DH's boss isn't going to let him take any time in May off, and it's not enough points to try to do a weekend
(39) Taking the kids is not an option because A)they can't miss any more school and B) then we don't fit in a studio.

Do I resign myself to losing the points? Ugh. Really, I am quite worried about mom's SO...

 

[castleri]

Depending on what is wrong you may be surprised at how short the recovery period is so things may still work out. We will hope that it is something that can be easily fixed.
I am calling today to try to book for March using holding points so will have a better idea of what it will be like. I am hoping to get a 2 bedroom for 2 nights and will take anything rather than lose the points - just hope I can get two nights at the same resort.
I am not certain but you may be on day 31 today depending on how they count it since there are 31 days in January if today counts as day 1. I would certainly call and find out. If not you could cancel the first day which would go into holding and then cancel the rest which should put those points back into your use year for use in April if you can get the rooms or bank them into next year. At least you would only have one days worth in holding then and you could try for the extra day in April when the time comes up with those points. Before you cancel check with your mother about how things are going and what treatments they are talking about. It seems they would have moved him before Monday if it was really terrible unless they are trying to stabilize him more first. that all will work out for your Mom and her SO and for your family as well.

 

[CarolA]

I booked a weekend at BCV this week using holding points for Febuary 29th. So it's possible.

You will have to be flexible.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I just spoke with member services. I am on day 29. He said you do not count the day the reservation starts, but you do count today's day. He also said you cannot just cancel one day and leave the rest of the reservation intact, so I cannot cancel just the first 2 days. Since I'm inside the 30-day window, it's all or nothing.

I know it's possible that he'll be recovered, but it sounds like they're not sure how to fix the problem. He's in the cardiac care unit waiting for a bed to open up. He's not allowed visitors or flowers

AT this point it looks like I might as well keep the ressie until I hit 60 days out for the days I want to try to add on our April trip. If push comes to shove maybe I can convince my dad that he wants to take a trip to Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Anyone else able to watch the kids for you?

 

[squirrlygirl]

Not that A) can stay at my house so the kids can still go to school B) can handle that many small children C) are willing, and D) I'd be comfortable leaving them for 4 days with.

My mom is the only one that fits the bill. We tried the in-laws with all but the baby back in September and have vowed never to do that again.

 

[JimMIA]

Holding account itself isn't such a big problem. If you are flexible on dates and resorts, you should be able to use the points. Your big problem is that you have the end of you UY staring you in the face and may not be able to make a trip during that period.

As your Mom's SO's illness shows us all, there are things more important than losing points. Good luck, and tell your Mom that she and friend are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[squirrlygirl]

As your Mom's SO's illness shows us all, there are things more important than losing points. Good luck, and tell your Mom that she and friend are in our thoughts and prayers.

Which is why I fully expect, even if it means me insisting, that if he needs her, that she do that instead. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I will pass them on when I hear from her again.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

I hope everything works out for the best. I think (never done this myself) one thing you could also try is to see if you can make a trade with someone on the Rent/Trade board?

 

[jekjones1558]

He also said you cannot just cancel one day and leave the rest of the reservation intact, so I cannot cancel just the first 2 days. Since I'm inside the 30-day window, it's all or nothing.

Boy, I learn something everyday. I didn't know that being able to cancel days off the beginning or end of a trip changes at the 31 day mark. I think you can still do this outside the 31 day mark without canceling the whole reservation, right?

 

[Chuck S]

Boy, I learn something everyday. I didn't know that being able to cancel days off the beginning or end of a trip changes at the 31 day mark. I think you can still do this outside the 31 day mark without canceling the whole reservation, right?

I never heard that rule, either. I wonder if it is something new, an undertrained CM, or just something that no one has had to deal with (or report on the boards) because under most "family emergency" situations I guess most folks cancel the whole reservation anyway.

 

[castleri]

I recently (in the last two months) changed the days on a reservation changing the first and last ones and didn't have a problem so maybe this is something to do with the 31 days rule or I wouldn't have suggested it earlier.
Sounds like your plan to wait until the 60 day mark is a good one. I just got off the phone with MS and was unable to get the resort I wanted but can get another one. Have decided to call again Monday since she said there were plenty available and I can see if we can adjust our dates to work around this situation. Will continue to keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[JimMIA]

I know it's possible that he'll be recovered, but it sounds like they're not sure how to fix the problem. He's in the cardiac care unit waiting for a bed to open up.

There are so many different kinds and degrees of cardiac problems that there's no way to know about recovery at this point. You said "He almost didn't make it," and on the surface, that doesn't sound like a quick recovery, but that really depends on the specifics of his situation.

Not every patient with a heart issue is near death. There are several cardiac situations which can be very painful and very scary, but they don't do damage and the person recovers quickly. The fact that he made it to the hospital is encouraging -- about 40% of the patients who suffer an actual heart attack (myocardial infarction) do not even make it to the hospital.

It's the weekend, and you're not going to learn much today and tomorrow. They'll be doing a lot of tests and the cardiologists will look at those on Monday. Don't expect any real news until Monday or Tuesday.

AT this point it looks like I might as well keep the ressie until I hit 60 days out for the days I want to try to add on our April trip. If push comes to shove maybe I can convince my dad that he wants to take a trip to Disney.

That sounds like an excellent strategy.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I don't know much about hearts, but it was something like ventricular tachycardia. He did NOT have a heart attack, but he did almost die becuase they couldn't get the heart to beat normally, and when it did flip, it went too slow and they had a hard time reviving him. The only reason he got anywhere soon enough is because he had just dropped my mom off at work, whose office just happens to be in a complex of a brand-new medical facility her company just built. I haven' t heard from my mom yet today, and for all I know he just needs some type of medication and he's fine. I just don't know. I do know they won't let him leave until this is fixed because next time he might not make it somewhere. He's been having "spells" for weeks but this was the first time it was more than a few minutes--it lasted an hour and a half.

 

[JimMIA]

Okay, ventricular tachycardia is an electrical malfunction in the heart. In V-tach, the heart is beating so fast it can't completely re-fill during the rest phase of the heart beat. So the heart pumps a greatly reduced amount of blood -- not enough to oxygenate the organs and sustain life.

V-tach is one of two rhythms which are "shockable," either with an automatic external defibrillator (AED) like you find in many public places, or with a Lifepack carried by paramedics. The shock attempts to "re-boot" the electrical system of the heart.

One common outcome of a shock is a very slow (30-40 beats per minute) somewhat disorganized heart rhythm caused by the primary electrical node of the heart not firing. There's usually not enough blood pressure to feel a pulse, but you can see the heartbeat on the screen of the Lifepack. If that's what happened (and your description is right on the money), the medics literally saved his life.

Where he goes from here obviously depends on what caused the V-tach, whether any damage was done during that episode, his overall medical condition, etc, etc. It will take several days and many tests to determine that.

Good luck, and know that we're all rooting for you!

 

[squirrlygirl]

Thank you for that information! I tried to follow what my mom told me, but she was so worked up that it didn't all make sense, and I'm not even sure she understood what she was trying to describe. Nor was I sure I got the name of it right!

I appreciate you taking the time to help me understand.