NOW is the time! It's MINE & I AM WORTH IT! (friends welcome to tag along!!)

[goldcupmom]

Woohoo!!! A girls' only trip to WDW!!! How exciting for you both!!!

It sounds like both trips would come out to be about the same amount. I think it just depends on how much you are planning on spending on food if you choose the value + Ft. Wilderness option. Will you be doing QS or TS meals? If you think you will lean towards mostly QS meals, then the value resort + free dining might be the way to go. Plus, you wouldn't have to change resorts, you could get ME from your hotel, and you and your DD could visit family and then come back to your own room.

In any event, you're going to WDW....How exciting!!!!!

Hopefullly I will be able to pull this trip off!! Most likely I will book room & just buy discount tickets rather than the package. If I buy the package it willbe just for T - Th nights at likely ASM, then go stay in the motorhome free Fri & Sat....besides, DD LOVES the little ones & driving the 'beep, beep' all around FtW. W/ the package, we would def to the QS as neither of us is likely to want to feel obligated to sit down & eat each day. Snacking is fine.

I'm trying to think how to justify all this to DH as even being thrifty, it ain't cheap!!

Still hivey today....3 weeks. UGH!!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Julie, good job booking airfare!

As for what's the better deal, I tend to lean towards the package just becasuse then you have no hidden expenses to worry about. We are doing the QS Plan in March, I am done with the full serve DDP unless I can ever get it for free. Too much hassle and the full serve menus all look the same these days. But that's also a good deal for the room only at Pop and then you'd have tickets for a few other days another trip. I just like to prepay with a package and have it done!]

As for dh, tell him its probably the last trip you can do with dd at WDW while she's still a kid and you are going. Tell him its a late birthday present to yourself!

I am so happy you are going.

And so sorry those hives are still hanging around. I hope the new meds help!

Oh, and if you do the QS, I'll tell you the best places to go for your money where you can really maximze those cs credits!

 

[toystoryduo]

As for dh, tell him its probably the last trip you can do with dd at WDW while she's still a kid and you are going. Tell him its a late birthday present to yourself!

Great idea, Amy!

Oh, and if you do the QS, I'll tell you the best places to go for your money where you can really maximze those cs credits!

I hope you'll share those with me too!


Julie,

I really hope that you and your DD can take this vacation. I think you both will have such a wonderful time together. I'm sending lots of your way.

How are the hives today? I'm sorry that you're still having to deal with them. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Have a nice evening!

 

[traceycooper]

Great that you can organise this trip Julie - lucky you
I cant believe those hives are still around you must be soooo frustrated & fed up!!!
hope you have a great rest of the week

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hey Julie, hope things are going well! Have you told your dh about the trip yet?

 

[goldcupmom]

Well, I haven't cancelled air, but trip is on hold for the moment. DH found that his pay cut has been extended thru the end of the year, possibly permanent for everyone & probability of no raises next year...again.. UGH!!

And, the hives are no better. Very early Sat. morning I woke & had to literally PRY my mouth open & separate my tongue, cheeks, teeth was that dried out. Eyes horrid, too. So, I went & bought Kids Zyrtec at 5 mg instead of 10mg adult & decided to split the dose. Seemed to help the dryness a bit. Added the pepcid the Dr had said. For the last several days I have had sporadic chest tightness, wheezing feeling (but peak flow ok), etc. So I took myself off the zyrtec & pepcid and back on benadryl as of 6 a.m. today. Called my PCP & she wants me to come in at 10:30.

And of course, I have much support, love & empathy here. Saturday I made the comment to DH that I didn't know how long I was going to be able to deal w/ the zyrtec & the dryness & he said "I can't care about your dry, itchy skin because I'm tired & my back hurts". UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

This is truly driving me NUTS! And really disrupting my life!!

To top it off, on the zyrtec it seemed I was getting less of the smaller hive & more that are larger & hang around for a few days. This morning early I woke with one on the side of the bridge of my nose, just enough so that my bifocals don't sit right, which means I can't see quite right out of my right eye. And when I told DH that, he just rolled his eyes at me......

I did luck out yesterday & got a cancelled appt at an allergist on 9/17 & I go to a dermatologist on 9/14. Hopefully someone can figure out something.

And Tuesday DS20 left his headlight on while he was at school all day. Car wouldn't jump, so had to go back down , remove his battery, charge it daytime yesterday (& of course power went out just about the time he finally got it out so he didn't get it fully charged before he needed it, so had to use my car) - the battery in a vet is behind the drivers seat under the shelf - NOT easy to remove. Thankfully, the car started this morning once he charged the battery.

So, all in all, I'm having a crappy week....hopefully y'all aren't! Prayers appreciated!

Tracy, if I don't get to your journal soon, I hope you have a wonderful trip to WDW!

 

[goldcupmom]

So, I went to my PCP. she said that Zyrtec nor Pepcid could cause tight chest (but it is in their allergic warnings) and that what is causing my chest pain is "whatever is causing the hives". told me to continue the zyrtec & maybe start singulair. Also gave me an albuterol inhaler.

When I told her I had an appt at an allergist, she LAUGHED & told me that I shouldn't be upset when they don't find anything. I understand they might not, but I think that since it has now been over a month, that maybe we should rule out some underlying disorder, or something!

Am I totally off base? The 1st Dr. I saw said if I still had after a week on zyrtec that they needed to do bloodwork to rule out a parasite, an autoimmune disorder or some underlying blood disorder....who is correct? My gut says do the tests.

And, to top it off, my heart has been doing it's flip flops most of the day & feeling like missed beats....stress, lack of sleep, possibly hormones, etc....what fun!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, I am so sorry you are going through all of this.

Listen to your gut, I never think female intuition is a bad bet. And keep us posted and hang in there.

If you haven't already, check this website: www.allearsnet.com You can click on the menus and price out everything you think you and your dd would eat. You may be able to save money by not doing the QS Plan. I hope you get to go but understand your dh's paycut may not make it possible. If you've got your airfare, that's something right there! I really hope it works out. Of course I'd probably shut my power off to finance my Disney trips so I may not be the best authority on this. But I always price out my trips in a variety of ways to see what the best deal is. You may be able to save some money here and there. Like don't get the park hopper, drink the free ice water, stuff like that. It all adds up and makes the trip more affordable.

Hang in there, I am so sorry you have had this kind of week!

 

[traceycooper]

oh dear Julie - i deffinatly agree with you that you need to see the allergist!
sending lots of and your way

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Julie,

Sweetie, I am so sorry that the hives are still causing problems for you. I definitely think you should listen to your gut. If your gut says do the tests, then I think you should insist on the doctor doing the tests. I am praying for you, WISH sis!

 

[goldcupmom]

Quick update & prayer request. Hives still going strong, breathing hurts at night & Sat - Mon evening & overnight as the hives flare I couldn't put weight on my right ankle fairly ok by morning. Last night ankle was swollen. and by 10 p.m. my rt knee wouldn't bend or straighten & can't walk. I was up all night w/ that &breathing pain. UGH!! going to try to get in to a dr. SOMETHING is NOT RIGHT!!!

Can't get in to yet a different Dr. in the group til 2:45......I HATE NM!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending prayers your way.... Please update us when you can.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie sending some prayers and some hugs to you. I so hope the allergist helps you out, keep us posted and just know your Wish Sisters are here for you! Hang in there sweetie.

 

[goldcupmom]

Back from Dr. GRRRRRR!!!!!!!.. She walked in , asked me how I was & when I started to tell her that today is 5 weeks for hives & was going to explain, she cut me off & said she had read the other Drs notes & 'unless you have anything totally new, there is nothing I can do for you". Started to tell her about my ankle & knee & again was cut off to be told that 'histamines cause retention & swelling & that is what it is" "continue the zyrtec" and LEFT!

She popped up as I was leaving to say that I should come in to a Dr when there is something to look at and then maybe they could help.

So, I guess I'm on my own until the derm on 9/16 & allergist on 9/18 unless the breathing actually becomes shortness of breath not just tight & end up in ER. I'm so happy!

In the back of my mind I think there is not only a stress link, but maybe a hormonal link to this as I typically would get 1 hive, small on chin or hand right before TOM, & this started when I could tell my hormones were whacked & when it should have been mid- cycle. I wouldn't be too disappointed if I had no more TOM as I've been in peri for 10+ years, but not if this is an unending battle.

I'm thankful that I'm not totally covered & not terribly itchy, but..... I guess I need to keep up w/ the positive mantra that God knows why I have them & when they will go away. Wish He'd share the secret!!!

Thanks all for your support. You know I really have no support at home (but my 2 yorkies are really good listeners!)

Praying that tonight is a better night & I can get more than the 2 - 3 hours sleep I managed last night.

Unfortunately, even planning a WDW trip is not promising at this point as I would hate to go down w/ DD & be miserable. Guess I will hold on to the plane tickets & wait til after the allergist on the 18th. Maybe see if I can book a room that is refundable. Don't know, can't focus or get too excited about anything at this poing.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh Julie, I am so sorry you didn't get any answers, professionalism or sympathy from that doctor. What an idiot. The only advice I can give?

Go shopping!
Drink some wine!
Watch about 10 great chick flicks!
Do no housework!
Do no errands!
Do no cooking!
Eat Taco Bell!
Take a kickboxing class and kick some butt with that doctor's face in your mind!

Seriously, take care of you, only you (and the yorkies) and do whatever makes you feel better. Because stress does cause a lot of physical things to at the very least, get worse.

And if all else fails, get on I25 North, come to me, and I'll do all of the above with you. Thelma and Louise will look like nuns when we finish our fun!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Julie,

Sending a gentle your way. I'm sorry that your doctor acted so unprofessionally. Maybe it's time to look for another one.

I agree with Amy....Lighten your stress load as much as possible. Do things that you enjoy doing and keep praying. God knows what you are going through and He is with you every step of the way.

If there's anything we can do for you, Julie, please let us know. We're here for you, my friend.

 

[goldcupmom]

Oh Julie, I am so sorry you didn't get any answers, professionalism or sympathy from that doctor. What an idiot. The only advice I can give?

Go shopping!
Drink some wine!
Watch about 10 great chick flicks!
Do no housework!
Do no errands!
Do no cooking!
Eat Taco Bell!
Take a kickboxing class and kick some butt with that doctor's face in your mind!

Seriously, take care of you, only you (and the yorkies) and do whatever makes you feel better. Because stress does cause a lot of physical things to at the very least, get worse.

And if all else fails, get on I25 North, come to me, and I'll do all of the above with you. Thelma and Louise will look like nuns when we finish our fun!!

Hey, Amy, how close are you to Co. Springs? I seriously want to go see the NewsBoys in November.....just me & DD likely, or DS20.

Last night I slept & this morning I have TWO hives total on my body & 1 on my palm of my hand. progress????? I've thought it before, but......I'm actually headed off to the casino to play my free $10 this week, then have to clean a bit. DH cousins from Los Alamos are coming so DH can try hypnosis on the wife who has severe headaches from trying to wean her off drugs for lupus, fibro, RA, & a host of other things....when I think of her, hives aren't so bad, but.............God gives us each our own to deal with.

More later.... Thanks for praying, Tracy! I keep telling myself that God is in control & knows about each of these hives, but it is so frustrating for me as I do NOT like surprises & it is the not knowing the cause that drives me nuts!! I can deal with the known, it is the unknown that plagues me!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie,

I am only about an hour from Colorado Springs. So if you come down that way, I"ll come meet you for dinner or at least a quick hello and hug! I agree with Tracy. Keep praying and just do what makes you feel good spiritually and emotionally.

Just thinking about you today and keeping you in my prayers.

 

[traceycooper]

Oh Julie, I am so sorry you didn't get any answers, professionalism or sympathy from that doctor. What an idiot. The only advice I can give?

Go shopping!
Drink some wine!
Watch about 10 great chick flicks!
Do no housework!
Do no errands!
Do no cooking!
Eat Taco Bell!
Take a kickboxing class and kick some butt with that doctor's face in your mind!

Seriously, take care of you, only you (and the yorkies) and do whatever makes you feel better. Because stress does cause a lot of physical things to at the very least, get worse.

And if all else fails, get on I25 North, come to me, and I'll do all of the above with you. Thelma and Louise will look like nuns when we finish our fun!!

great advice Amy
glad there is a slight improvement Julie - hope it stays that way

 

[goldcupmom]

I finally made it back to DIS. Still have hives, seem to be fewer, but larger & itchier & over larger areas.....lucky me! Dermatologist on Monday, Allergist on Thursday next week. Hopefully one of them will have a clue. I'm quite concerned about being off the Zyrtec for a week & then not even benadryl for 48 hours. Concerned....well, more like worried sick....oh well....

I've made it walking a few times, worn my Bugg a few days, but seem to now be allergic to the metal plates on it...go figure. All I want to do is EAT, EAT, EAT!! Dove chocolate, M&M ice cream bars, popcorn chicken......you get the picture.

I'm not sleeping well at all, but exhausted from the Zyrtec. If I'm not itchy, I'm having weird dreams. DH, of course, just doesnt' get it! Deep down, I'm still convinced this has to do with stress & hormones. DD suggested that perhaps the train incident triggered it as I have read that chronic hives are frequently triggered by things like a trauma or accident. Who knows??? But I REALLY want to get them stopped!!!

WDW trip still very much on hold, but DNieces were at FtW again over the weekend & I REALLY want to go!! Guess maybe late next week, early the following I will have to decide.

Hopefully I will get to some journals later today or tomorrow. I really miss you all & just because I'm not here doesn't mean I don't love you!!!

Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers! Hives are so minor compared to so many things, but truly these are very debilitating in many ways. And the !@$#$%^! Zyrtec is making me pack on the weight even when I behave!!