Make a Wish (and other organizations!) - Wish Trippers...UNITE!! Volume 2!

[yinyanggirls]

Linda, those pics are adorable. She looks elated. I hope you get the chance to finish the TR and to do a short one for next week. I'm sorry to hear that Lydia's medical issues are causing so much worry again. It seems to cycle doesn't it? I was so happy when Phoebe's seizures stopped and now they are back and it's so frustrating! Please keep us updated and know that there will be lots of prayers for her!

 

[thatkid]

according to the orlando weather site, there's going to be thunder storms most of the time that i'm there.. this is good for me with the sun sensitivity, but will it affect my sea world plans? Do they cancel shows etc. because of weather?? I don't mind being out in thunder storms, but they may be different than the ones i'm used to.. does anyone know what the Florida ones are like??

 

[yinyanggirls]

according to the orlando weather site, there's going to be thunder storms most of the time that i'm there.. this is good for me with the sun sensitivity, but will it affect my sea world plans? Do they cancel shows etc. because of weather?? I don't mind being out in thunder storms, but they may be different than the ones i'm used to.. does anyone know what the Florida ones are like??

I'm not familiar with Florida storms, but I hear they are short lived. It may be a good thing, meaning all the locals with annual passes are going to skip that week. I would go over the park maps before you go and keep in mind where all of the indoor rides and shows are so you can hop on in if you need to. I know at Dland they close anything that's out in the open, and that's just for rain, not thunderstorms. (Those are rare in CA)

 

[MomTo4+more]

Deyki has a new health concern. Yesterday he woke up and told me he hurt behind his ear. I looked and his lymph node was greatly enlarged and very firm. It hurts if you touch it, but it isn't read or warm to the touch. I took him to the ER. They said it does not appear to be infected. They were concerned though and did blood work to check his white count. His labs came back okay, but they don't know what is causing this.

His energy has been a bit low for a week or so, but that happens sometimes with his sickle cell. They said to bring him back if it shows signs of infection, grows more, or isn't gone in a week. Tonight he has a bad headache. I don't know if it's related or not. Something about the look in his eyes tells me that something is just not right, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I am not sure how concerned I should be. Not sure how much to take the wait and see approach or how much to push for an answer. I think I will call his doctor on Monday. I'm open for suggestions on how to proceed or how to make his pain less.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Deyki has a new health concern. Yesterday he woke up and told me he hurt behind his ear. I looked and his lymph node was greatly enlarged and very firm. It hurts if you touch it, but it isn't read or warm to the touch. I took him to the ER. They said it does not appear to be infected. They were concerned though and did blood work to check his white count. His labs came back okay, but they don't know what is causing this.

His energy has been a bit low for a week or so, but that happens sometimes with his sickle cell. They said to bring him back if it shows signs of infection, grows more, or isn't gone in a week. Tonight he has a bad headache. I don't know if it's related or not. Something about the look in his eyes tells me that something is just not right, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I am not sure how concerned I should be. Not sure how much to take the wait and see approach or how much to push for an answer. I think I will call his doctor on Monday. I'm open for suggestions on how to proceed or how to make his pain less.

I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I could help. I can understand why you are worried. I tend to be a wait and see kind of person, and usually I'm right, but one time it could have been bad. Phoebe had RSV and I thought it was "just" a cold. Her pulse ox was showing in the 70s when I took her to the ER. The only reason I did that was because we were out of state and only emergencies were covered, so I was pretending it was an emergency. Little did I know it was! You know where to come for compassion. I hope someone also has advice.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Does anyone know if GKTW has a safe that guests could use while they are out at the parks?

 

[Momofwishkid]

Deyki has a new health concern. Yesterday he woke up and told me he hurt behind his ear. I looked and his lymph node was greatly enlarged and very firm. It hurts if you touch it, but it isn't read or warm to the touch. I took him to the ER. They said it does not appear to be infected. They were concerned though and did blood work to check his white count. His labs came back okay, but they don't know what is causing this.

His energy has been a bit low for a week or so, but that happens sometimes with his sickle cell. They said to bring him back if it shows signs of infection, grows more, or isn't gone in a week. Tonight he has a bad headache. I don't know if it's related or not. Something about the look in his eyes tells me that something is just not right, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I am not sure how concerned I should be. Not sure how much to take the wait and see approach or how much to push for an answer. I think I will call his doctor on Monday. I'm open for suggestions on how to proceed or how to make his pain less.

Im sorry to hear Deyki is having issues and I completley understand your worry. Im not sure what to say other than if YOU think there is something serious going on then I would push for answers. Call his doctors. You know him better than any one trust your instincts. I hope you get some answers and it's nothing to serious.

 

[StefaniLyn]

Deyki has a new health concern. Yesterday he woke up and told me he hurt behind his ear. I looked and his lymph node was greatly enlarged and very firm. It hurts if you touch it, but it isn't read or warm to the touch. I took him to the ER. They said it does not appear to be infected. They were concerned though and did blood work to check his white count. His labs came back okay, but they don't know what is causing this.

His energy has been a bit low for a week or so, but that happens sometimes with his sickle cell. They said to bring him back if it shows signs of infection, grows more, or isn't gone in a week. Tonight he has a bad headache. I don't know if it's related or not. Something about the look in his eyes tells me that something is just not right, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I am not sure how concerned I should be. Not sure how much to take the wait and see approach or how much to push for an answer. I think I will call his doctor on Monday. I'm open for suggestions on how to proceed or how to make his pain less.

I'm so sorry to hear about Deyki's newest health concern. I would be terrified to be honest. I don't know much about sickel cell, but do know that with most children, you can give them both motrin and tylenol for pain and/or fever because they act in different ways. You should probably ask a doctor or nurse on call first, but it sounds like he would benefit from some pain control right now.

I would take him to the physician right away tomorrow morning and if he/she cannot see you, go back to the ER. Time is precious when dealing with Children's health and they can crash in an instant. I will keep you all in my prayers.

 

[livinlife25]

Hey Maroo, Just wanted to let you and whoever else has been following that Dax hasn't been doing well lately. He has gone inpatient and things aren't looking so good. Please keep this boy in your Thoughts & Prayers!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daxlocke

 

[Khalana]

I am so sorry about Dax, Julie. We are praying for all of you.

 

[livinlife25]

Thank you! But I am not actually his mother.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Just a little bit of "feelgood"....Trust me!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPFLbDk8qJw

 

[chrissid7]

Just a little bit of "feelgood"....Trust me!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPFLbDk8qJw

Thank you for sharing that!! Tears of happiness are great tears and wow that just touched my heart. What an amazing group of girls!!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Just a little bit of "feelgood"....Trust me!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPFLbDk8qJw

Thanks for sharing that! What an ingenious idea!

 

[maroo]

Does anyone know if GKTW has a safe that guests could use while they are out at the parks?

I don't know the answer to this one...

But I would be shocked...stunned...sickened...if anything ever turned up missing. They don't do housekeeping...so no one should be in there (except the volunteers dropping off goodies each day)...I would maybe not leave something out in plain sight, but would have no reservations about leaving valuables in the room. Really. I would stake my own valuables on that.

Linda, those pics are adorable. She looks elated. I hope you get the chance to finish the TR and to do a short one for next week. I'm sorry to hear that Lydia's medical issues are causing so much worry again. It seems to cycle doesn't it? I was so happy when Phoebe's seizures stopped and now they are back and it's so frustrating! Please keep us updated and know that there will be lots of prayers for her!

I second this...I am so sorry that Lydia is not doing well...and hope you will keep us posted.

according to the orlando weather site, there's going to be thunder storms most of the time that i'm there.. this is good for me with the sun sensitivity, but will it affect my sea world plans? Do they cancel shows etc. because of weather?? I don't mind being out in thunder storms, but they may be different than the ones i'm used to.. does anyone know what the Florida ones are like??

I think that they will cancel shows if there is lightening in the area - they watch the radar, etc. But I am glad that there may be some clouds for your trip - that should help you a lot with those UV rays!

Deyki has a new health concern. Yesterday he woke up and told me he hurt behind his ear. I looked and his lymph node was greatly enlarged and very firm. It hurts if you touch it, but it isn't read or warm to the touch. I took him to the ER. They said it does not appear to be infected. They were concerned though and did blood work to check his white count. His labs came back okay, but they don't know what is causing this.

His energy has been a bit low for a week or so, but that happens sometimes with his sickle cell. They said to bring him back if it shows signs of infection, grows more, or isn't gone in a week. Tonight he has a bad headache. I don't know if it's related or not. Something about the look in his eyes tells me that something is just not right, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I am not sure how concerned I should be. Not sure how much to take the wait and see approach or how much to push for an answer. I think I will call his doctor on Monday. I'm open for suggestions on how to proceed or how to make his pain less.

Praying for you guys and hope that you are doing better today!

Hey Maroo, Just wanted to let you and whoever else has been following that Dax hasn't been doing well lately. He has gone inpatient and things aren't looking so good. Please keep this boy in your Thoughts & Prayers!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daxlocke

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this!

I don't think I had his Caringbridge link?? I will check that out - keep us all posted!

Praying for Dax, his family, and all of you guys as you help his family walk this very, very difficult road.

Just a little bit of "feelgood"....Trust me!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPFLbDk8qJw

Wow! Wow! Wow!!!

This is worth sharing EVERYWHERE. Wow.

 

[maroo]

I have an announcement............



Many of you guys were aware of the little fit I threw last month when I found out Wish Families would have to pay $150 for a PhotoPass CD. Very long story short, when I finally was able to reach the people in charge of PhotoPass and explain that I would really like to see these families be extended the same discount as on-site guests - they agreed....

And trumped my request....

It is OFFICIAL!

Disney is giving EACH Wish Family staying at Give Kids the World a FREE PhotoPass CD. This is a $150 value.


PhotoPass has photographers posted at many places on Disney Property and they will take your picture at the entrance of each park and by other landmarks. They will also take your picture at some character interactions. For Wish Families - they are going to try to train the PhotoPass photographers (which is quite a task, since they have so many) to recognize the button and make sure that they take as many pics as they can of Wish Families as they interact with the characters.

Then you will take the code that you get at GKTW orientation and put that in when you get home (they will give you instructions) and you will receive a FREE PhotoPass CD with Free shipping.

This was specifically done because Disney knows that many Wish Families simply don't have the extra cash hanging around to buy those special pictures and they want to make sure each Wish Family has them.


To thank Disney PhotoPass - I would LOVE to start a positive letter writing campaign...I would love for them to get HUNDREDS of letters thanking them for this policy change.

According to my calculation - this is over 1 MILLION dollars worth of goods given for FREE to Disney Wish Families.

Here is the address for sending letters. You can also include a photograph, if you would like. They can display these for their staff to see and know how much of a difference they are making in these kids lives.

Disney PhotoPass
Attn: Maggie V.
200 Animation Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

For those of us that are not taking Wish Trips, for anyone lurking out there, for all of us...Please help us write letters.

And I will make SURE to purchase a Disney PhotoPass when I go to Disney - because I want to support the people that support our Wish Families.

They went above and beyond on this one.

 

[maroo]

Details for the families going in the next few weeks to DISNEY -

The FREE PhotoPass CD information may not be in your orientation packet - when you get back - if you didn't get a code - I have some. Just PM me and I will get you the code that your family can use to get the FREE PhotoPass CD.

I only have a few (they are family specific). They said it may be 2 weeks before they can implement it...but it is coming soon!

If you are lurking...and you are a wish family...PM me with your information and PhotoPass will verify the trip and we will get you a code, too. You don't have to be a DISer (well, you will to PM me? but registration is easy ) or even a regular poster - just let me know if you are reading this, we can verify and get you a code.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Maroo that is great news!! Thank you so much for starting this and I will definetley be sending a letter to them to personally thank them. It is an amazing thing they are willing to do. I know I for one would have had to pass on the Photo Pass otherwise.

 

[kellyw8863]

Maroo, that is awesome! Thanks for all you do for the wish families!

 

[MomTo4+more]

Details for the families going in the next few weeks to DISNEY -

The FREE PhotoPass CD information may not be in your orientation packet - when you get back - if you didn't get a code - I have some. Just PM me and I will get you the code that your family can use to get the FREE PhotoPass CD.

I only have a few (they are family specific). They said it may be 2 weeks before they can implement it...but it is coming soon!

If you are lurking...and you are a wish family...PM me with your information and PhotoPass will verify the trip and we will get you a code, too. You don't have to be a DISer (well, you will to PM me? but registration is easy ) or even a regular poster - just let me know if you are reading this, we can verify and get you a code.

This worked wonderfully and was such a blessing! It was a wonderful surprise. Thanks for arranging it for us!