After I got home from the trip I emailed
Disneyland to see if they could maybe extend the expiration for that hopper day I couldn't use. I wasn't expecting much since the policy says you have to use the hopper within 13 days, but thought I might as well give it a try. A CM wrote back and offered me a new Hopper that doesn't expire for a year! I'm so happy, because aside from missing out on the trip, losing that ticket was a bummer. And, of course now we HAVE to go back this year lol.
At first I thought it would be hard to go back since the whole thing was so traumatic, but now I can't wait to return for a splurge make-up trip! I'm thinking of November or May.
Thanks again for all the kind, supportive messages from everyone! I really appreciated it.