~How TWO trips became...who knows? ~ It's a TRIP! and an upgrade.... 4/22

[that's nice]

Welcome back!
Sounds like you had a very busy schedule! Now you relax! LOL

 

[Sandy321]

Are you from Chicago?!?!?! I can't believe I missed you?

We would have been hard to stalk, since most of our concerts were "private" - Jails, detention centers, shelters, etc... We did have a couple of public programs, though!

actually about 35 miles in a suburb - but I would've loved to come out and hear the concerts - and Ed Debevic's is a riot!!

(my loss - I should've paid more attention! I so would've loved stalking you!!)

 

[KathyRN137]

Welcome Back!!!


Kathy

 

[Sandy321]

talk about relaxing!! *beg!

 

[maroo]

I am so sorry...because I think I have failed to fill you guys in on what is going on in the world of Lauren and her family this week.

I have posted this on the Wish Trippers thread...but I forget that most of you guys over on this board don't really read all of my ramblings over there...


On our way home from Chicago, Lauren's paternal grandmother was rushed to the ER in extreme pain. Lauren's grandmother has severe rheumatoid arthritis, but this has not stopped her from caring for Lauren on a very regular basis and gardening, etc. She is very healthy otherwise.

When she got to the hospital, the pain medicine did not really help much.

They did an immediate CT on Saturday, which showed she did not have a ruptured disc (which was the initial thought). They scheduled the MRI for Monday. The MRI showed a blod clot pressing on her spinal cord. By Monday, she could not move her legs or her hips.

However, because she was on a blood thinner, they had to stop the blood thinner ASAP and start medicine to quickly thicken her blood. They had to wait till Tuesday to do the surgery.

The surgery was a success - they drained/removed the clot. The neurologist, though, said it was one of the biggest clots he has ever seen. Although he acknowldged that no one knows for sure, he did say that there was damage to her spinal cord and they are not sure that she will ever walk again. In fact, his best guess is that she has a 20%ish chance to walk again.

She has been moved to a regular room from the ICU and will be going to a rehab hospital on Monday.

This has massive implications for this family...not only having to figure out how they are going to care for Grandmother (her house is not accessible yet and is old), but also how to fill in the gaps in caring for Lauren. Lauren also has a cousin, one of only 3 grandchildren to Grandmother, that was hit by a car when he was 9. He has a traumatic brain injury. She also cares for him, too.

Also...quick update on William. William took a genetic blood test to see if they could figure out what is up with his GI difficulties and they have determined that he likely has Celiac Disease. They have not started the diet yet, but as soon as they do it strictly for a week, then they will be able to tell us for sure if that is what it is. Right now, though, they are just keeping their heads above water and not too worried about crossing that bridge at this point.

This family has been through so much illness and tragedy. Please pray for them.

And on the pre-trippie front...I should have ADR's to report in the next few days. I think my ADR call in day is Saturday.

 

[maroo]

Welcome back!
Sounds like you had a very busy schedule! Now you relax! LOL

You know...the plan was to come home and relax some...but with everything going on with Lauren's family, it has not worked out that way. Instead we have had hospital visits and despite Lauren being pretty sick of spending time with me instead of her parents, we have spent more time together this week since her parents are at the hospital, etc.

And now I am sick. Just a sinus infection/bronchitis - and probably because I have not gotten to rest.

Anyway...I DO plan to get some rest this weekend! And do some more Disney Planning!

actually about 35 miles in a suburb - but I would've loved to come out and hear the concerts - and Ed Debevic's is a riot!!

(my loss - I should've paid more attention! I so would've loved stalking you!!)

Aw man!! You really must subscribe! I can't believe we missed each other! I had no idea you were from the Chicago area. We were ALL OVER Chicago and may have been been in your neck of the woods. But, most of our concerts were private - held in jails, detention centers, homes for the disabled, schools, etc. The one really public concert we had...well...you would have not wanted to be down there. It was dangerous, honestly. Not something we will probably repeat. But we are glad we had such a great crowd of people and it was a diverse crowd, which is refreshing! But we could have met at the Pier or shopping, at the zoo, etc.

Welcome Back!!!


Kathy

Thanks for the welcome! I am finally getting caught up on the DIS!

talk about relaxing!! *beg!

 

[maroo]

We are back on topic now!

And all of this refers to the SEPTEMBER trip!

I got up quite early this morning (6 AM on a Saturday is just way too early) and called the ADR line. I talked to Jada and was able to secure ALL of my ADR requests! Then I went back to sleep...which I was also quite excited about, to be honest.


Here is what we ended up with...I made a few changes!


We got our early morning Crystal Palace - 8:05!! I can't wait to meet Pooh!

We got an 8:00 PM ressie for California Grill on Labor Day! Wishes is scheduled for 10:00, but we will leave ourselves a little time to get seated, since it is Labor Day and get a good spot in the observation area to see Wishes! I am super excited about this!

I grabbed an 8:45 AM Chef Mickey's ressie for 6 people on my last day - A little DISmeet we have been cooking up with a future wish family! (I will use only one credit for this...Sharon will not be here for this meal).

Then I grabbed Teppan Edo for a dinner spot. I chose Teppan Edo because Sharon spent 6 years in Japan and will enjoy spending some time chatting with those CM's! Plus, we love habachi!

Then I grabbed a Boma Dinner ressie for us. This WAS going to be Jiko. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided it was not worth it to spend all of our TS credits on Signature meals...probably not a great use of our precious credits. But this will be just as good for us...some good African style food and we will get to hang out at the AKL, which I am excited to be able to explore!

Then I grabbed a Boma breakfast for us. Yummy! This was my favorite Disney meal on our Make a Wish trip - so I am excited about this!

And then...last but not least...(actually, I did book this last, because I knew we would be able to get it!)... Brown Derby!! This has been highly recommended by a few of you guys! We are actually doing lunch here, because that is the way the schedule worked out.

And right this second...I am having second thoughts...should I have booked DINNER here instead?! I am sure dinner would be a better use of the credits? Is the food completely different?

This leaves one TS credit. It is possible I will end up using this on the last couple of days of my trip...but I have NO IDEA what those last two days will look like yet...I am still waiting on a lot of details. I will probably be doing mostly counter service on those last few days. And I have a lot of CS credits left because we have a meal or two planned at GKTW and we plan to eat breakfast in the room most mornings (to save time and be able to sleep in!)

Here are the counter service meals we are planning...

Sunshine Seasons - another DIS meet with a former wish family!
Flame Tree BBQ
Beaches and Cream (Ice cream for lunch, anyone?)
Earl of Sandwich (is this even on the Dining plan?)
Tangerine Cafe and
Casey's (of course!)

The rest are up in the air and will depend on where we are!


so...what do you think? Did I do ok here? This is my first ADR planning adventure!

I still have several places on my "master list"...O'hana, Citricos, Jiko....but I am sure I can get to those places in due time!

 

[KathyRN137]

We got our early morning Crystal Palace - 8:05!! I can't wait to meet Pooh! Hooray!! Love seeing that near-empty Main Street!

We got an 8:00 PM ressie for California Grill on Labor Day! Wishes is scheduled for 10:00, but we will leave ourselves a little time to get seated, since it is Labor Day and get a good spot in the observation area to see Wishes! I am super excited about this! Mmmm. I'm thinking about this for future reference...

I grabbed an 8:45 AM Chef Mickey's ressie for 6 people on my last day - A little DISmeet we have been cooking up with a future wish family! (I will use only one credit for this...Sharon will not be here for this meal). Sounds fun!

Then I grabbed Teppan Edo for a dinner spot. I chose Teppan Edo because Sharon spent 6 years in Japan and will enjoy spending some time chatting with those CM's! Plus, we love habachi! The Chefs here are so entertaining!

Then I grabbed a Boma Dinner ressie for us. This WAS going to be Jiko. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided it was not worth it to spend all of our TS credits on Signature meals...probably not a great use of our precious credits. But this will be just as good for us...some good African style food and we will get to hang out at the AKL, which I am excited to be able to explore! I've heard better reviews of Boma... Jiko seems to be slipping.

Then I grabbed a Boma breakfast for us. Yummy! This was my favorite Disney meal on our Make a Wish trip - so I am excited about this!We did this awhile back... very good!!

And then...last but not least...(actually, I did book this last, because I knew we would be able to get it!)... Brown Derby!! This has been highly recommended by a few of you guys! We are actually doing lunch here, because that is the way the schedule worked out. Never been here, but it sounds great. I've read that you must try the grapefruit cake!

And right this second...I am having second thoughts...should I have booked DINNER here instead?! I am sure dinner would be a better use of the credits? Is the food completely different?

You wouldn't be a true DISer if you didn't have second thoughts! But, remember... work your ADRs into your schedule, don't work your schedule around your ADRs!

Nice job!

Kathy

 

[BrandyC1974]

Hi. I just came over (from your response to my pre-trip report). I read you report with Lauren. I enjoyed it.

Wow! Three trips in two years!! You are so lucky. I haven't read through yet, but will after I post. I can't wait to read about your trips.

 

[TarzansKat]

Excellent ressies!

I have to say lunch and dinner at the Brown Derby are quite similar, if not virtually the same menu, so as far as value goes, I don't think it'll really make a difference for you.

 

[tinytreasures]

Sunshine Seasons - another DIS meet with a former wish family!

I can't wait to see you again

 

[maroo]

You wouldn't be a true DISer if you didn't have second thoughts! But, remember... work your ADRs into your schedule, don't work your schedule around your ADRs!

Nice job!


Kathy

thanks! This is true...we just sorta go with what we know will work for us. I just hope it works!

Hi. I just came over (from your response to my pre-trip report). I read you report with Lauren. I enjoyed it.

Wow! Three trips in two years!! You are so lucky. I haven't read through yet, but will after I post. I can't wait to read about your trips.

Awesome! Glad you could join us!!

I do feel very, very fortunate! I get to introduce a few people to WDW, too, which will be so much fun!!!

Excellent ressies!

I have to say lunch and dinner at the Brown Derby are quite similar, if not virtually the same menu, so as far as value goes, I don't think it'll really make a difference for you.

Thanks!

And I am so glad to know that lunch and dinner are similar. It is free...so there is certainly value in THAT, right!

Sunshine Seasons - another DIS meet with a former wish family!

I can't wait to see you again

He he!

So, am I making our DISmeet "public knowledge"?? I was not sure.

I can't wait to meet up with you guys again!

 

[kdzbear]

You did great with your reservations! I love Boma, but I have never tried it for breakfast. I think the Chef Mickey's reservations is the best!

 

[maroo]

You did great with your reservations! I love Boma, but I have never tried it for breakfast. I think the Chef Mickey's reservations is the best!

Ha! I figured you would like that CM ressie!

I Boma!! All I have ever had was breakfast and it was wonderful. My friend told me, before I left, that she would actually crave Boma breakfast food after she gets home...and I totally know what she means! What I would not give for some of that food right now. Yum!

 

[maroo]

Shifting Gears...

Ok...think MARATHON weekend! January 2010! Marathon discussion is all in PURPLE! Because I am afraid I will be PURPLE when I get done.


So...I need to start thinking about the Marathon Weekend trip, because I have LOTS of decisions that need to be made for that weekend.

Option 1: Team in Training
Charity: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Amt to be raised: This is in the thousands - but I am not exactly sure how much
Dates: Thursday, Jan 7 - Monday, Jan 11 (with the option to extend the trip dates at our own cost)
Training: This is done as a group - they give us a schedule and we have times that we meet as a group to do long runs, etc. We are assigned a trainer that helps us get ready for the race!

I like this option because it provides real-life trainers and I should be able to make a friend that I could possibly room with for the trip, which would be nice! I would be able to do this in a group setting and have accountability as I train.



Option 2: DISboards Team
Charity: Give Kids the World
Amount to be Raised: Undetermined, but less than TnT!
Dates: TBA
Training: On my own!

I LOVE this charity! You guys probably know that already! But I am not even sure that this will end up being an option and the training on my own has me a little nervous.



So...that is where I am on the Marathon Weekend. I have not really introduced that trip yet...so I figured I would fill you guys in on where I am on that.

What do you guys think? Should I go for Option ONE or Option TWO?

 

[If U Had Wings]

Both sound like great options. I guess the biggest decision would be how much money you feel you can comfortably raise. The trainers and support would be a great help with option #1.

 

[maroo]

Both sound like great options. I guess the biggest decision would be how much money you feel you can comfortably raise. The trainers and support would be a great help with option #1.

I am not exactly sure what the requirements are yet...I had heard $4000. But some of that I have already raised, for whichever option I chose. I think I have about $400 so far from babysitting?

I work at a cancer clinic, so I think raising the money would not be terribly hard and they also help us, too.

I have posted a message on the DISUnplugged board to see if Option 2 is even still available! They may leave me only one option.

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, gosh, I don't even know. They're both very worthy causes. And if you're worried about training on your own, perhaps you could buddy up with someone on the DIS and compare notes, you know? Heck, I'd buddy up with you if it would get me in shape. I won't necessarily run a marathon, but it's actually been my dream to do so at some point.

 

[KathyRN137]

Having that Option #1 support is a real plus... esp since its your 1st marathon...


Kathy

 

[maroo]

Oh, gosh, I don't even know. They're both very worthy causes. And if you're worried about training on your own, perhaps you could buddy up with someone on the DIS and compare notes, you know? Heck, I'd buddy up with you if it would get me in shape. I won't necessarily run a marathon, but it's actually been my dream to do so at some point.

Aw man!!! That would be so cool. This is just a half marathon (13.1 miles) and I would love to have someone on the DIS to virtually train with!

And at some point...you would totally get a kick out of doing the half marathon at DISNEY! You get to walk/run down main street...and through the castle...

Having that Option #1 support is a real plus... esp since its your 1st marathon...


Kathy

Hmm... Now, I know that you guys have actually DONE this...So this carries a LOT of weight in my book.

Maybe I could virtually train and get a local trainer?

I have sort of started...in April I was able to go 4 miles in the under 16 min/mile pace (which is basically speed walking)...but I really need to kick it in gear. My goal was do 5 miles at that pace in May and 6 miles in June...so I am behind already.

And the DISboards are still not sure if they will even have a team yet...so I am sorta in holding?