Our May 11 Make a Wish Cruise!!

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

nope nothing yet.... could you do maybe a pic, you know, just to whet our appetites a little....please..... ok...never mind....I'll be patient (DH says I need to work on that!)

 

[momof4ngls]

I'm sorry I have not updated yet. I just haven't had much time to sit and write it all out. We've all been very ill after our trip. We returned on Friday morning (the 16th) at midnight, and had to call 911 later for DS who couldn't breathe. Trip to the ER, several nebulizer treatments, steroids, x-rays, etc., and we were back home, exhausted. Saturday brought flashlight looking in teen throats and seeing disgusting sores, and a trip to the Acute Care Clinic to get Dr. Mom's diagnosis of strep confirmed and get meds. Funny, doc decided they didn't have strep and acted like I was silly for saying so. Said they had Coxsackie. He came back in the room a few minutes later, after the rapid strep had a chance to give them results and announced that both girls had strep. I had already told them that!!! ROFL

Sunday other DS started hacking, wheezing, doing horribly. Treated both boys at home until I could get them into doc on Thursday, where we got prescriptions and nebulizer, since mine is so old I can't even get parts for it anymore. On way to pick up prescriptions, DH called. He needed to go to navy ER because the rash he'd called me about an hour before, that was just on his lower legs at the time, had now spread all over his body. U-turn, trip to ER for DH, doc said the virus causing his cold was also causing his rash. DUMB NAVY DOCS!!! Next morning *I* develop same rash and *I* have no cough!!

Trip to Acute Care Clinic where NPs had no clue, even sitting with skin book, trying to figure it out. Yesterday DH got worse, trip to navy ER, where we both checked in for the heck of it. Mind you, I've determined that I will NEVER be seen in that ER again, even if I'm bleeding to death! I figured they might take DH more seriously if we were both sitting there with this rash, though. Luckily got a PA who didn't think he knew everything and he listened to my concerns about Rubella or Strep without rolling his eyes or laughing hysterically like military docs like to do when you have an idea of what might be wrong. He diagnosed us with scarlet fever, gave each of us a painful, horrible shot of penicillin, lots of meds to take, and sent us on our way.

I need another vacation!!

 

[MODisneyfan]

I'm sorry I have not updated yet. I just haven't had much time to sit and write it all out. We've all been very ill after our trip. We returned on Friday morning (the 16th) at midnight, and had to call 911 later for DS who couldn't breathe. Trip to the ER, several nebulizer treatments, steroids, x-rays, etc., and we were back home, exhausted. Saturday brought flashlight looking in teen throats and seeing disgusting sores, and a trip to the Acute Care Clinic to get Dr. Mom's diagnosis of strep confirmed and get meds. Funny, doc decided they didn't have strep and acted like I was silly for saying so. Said they had Coxsackie. He came back in the room a few minutes later, after the rapid strep had a chance to give them results and announced that both girls had strep. I had already told them that!!! ROFL

Sunday other DS started hacking, wheezing, doing horribly. Treated both boys at home until I could get them into doc on Thursday, where we got prescriptions and nebulizer, since mine is so old I can't even get parts for it anymore. On way to pick up prescriptions, DH called. He needed to go to navy ER because the rash he'd called me about an hour before, that was just on his lower legs at the time, had now spread all over his body. U-turn, trip to ER for DH, doc said the virus causing his cold was also causing his rash. DUMB NAVY DOCS!!! Next morning *I* develop same rash and *I* have no cough!!

Trip to Acute Care Clinic where NPs had no clue, even sitting with skin book, trying to figure it out. Yesterday DH got worse, trip to navy ER, where we both checked in for the heck of it. Mind you, I've determined that I will NEVER be seen in that ER again, even if I'm bleeding to death! I figured they might take DH more seriously if we were both sitting there with this rash, though. Luckily got a PA who didn't think he knew everything and he listened to my concerns about Rubella or Strep without rolling his eyes or laughing hysterically like military docs like to do when you have an idea of what might be wrong. He diagnosed us with scarlet fever, gave each of us a painful, horrible shot of penicillin, lots of meds to take, and sent us on our way.

I need another vacation!!

OMG... I hope that everyone starts feeling better soon..

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

I'm sorry I have not updated yet. I just haven't had much time to sit and write it all out. We've all been very ill after our trip. We returned on Friday morning (the 16th) at midnight, and had to call 911 later for DS who couldn't breathe. Trip to the ER, several nebulizer treatments, steroids, x-rays, etc., and we were back home, exhausted. Saturday brought flashlight looking in teen throats and seeing disgusting sores, and a trip to the Acute Care Clinic to get Dr. Mom's diagnosis of strep confirmed and get meds. Funny, doc decided they didn't have strep and acted like I was silly for saying so. Said they had Coxsackie. He came back in the room a few minutes later, after the rapid strep had a chance to give them results and announced that both girls had strep. I had already told them that!!! ROFL

Sunday other DS started hacking, wheezing, doing horribly. Treated both boys at home until I could get them into doc on Thursday, where we got prescriptions and nebulizer, since mine is so old I can't even get parts for it anymore. On way to pick up prescriptions, DH called. He needed to go to navy ER because the rash he'd called me about an hour before, that was just on his lower legs at the time, had now spread all over his body. U-turn, trip to ER for DH, doc said the virus causing his cold was also causing his rash. DUMB NAVY DOCS!!! Next morning *I* develop same rash and *I* have no cough!!

Trip to Acute Care Clinic where NPs had no clue, even sitting with skin book, trying to figure it out. Yesterday DH got worse, trip to navy ER, where we both checked in for the heck of it. Mind you, I've determined that I will NEVER be seen in that ER again, even if I'm bleeding to death! I figured they might take DH more seriously if we were both sitting there with this rash, though. Luckily got a PA who didn't think he knew everything and he listened to my concerns about Rubella or Strep without rolling his eyes or laughing hysterically like military docs like to do when you have an idea of what might be wrong. He diagnosed us with scarlet fever, gave each of us a painful, horrible shot of penicillin, lots of meds to take, and sent us on our way.

I need another vacation!!

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok...just ignore me....I will wait patiently for you to all get better and then bug you about starting the report. Seriously....get better soon!

 

[The Grays]

Hope you all get back on track soon. To bad you are not closer, we have a nebulizer we are no longer using. DW has ben trying to find someone to give it to.

Prayers are with you

 

[frdeb1999]

So sorry about all your problems!! Hope you and your family feel much better very soon!!

 

[Tarabra]

OMG Melissa. I had to go back and search our meets thread to see who it was that had Scarlet Fever and it wasn't you guys before the cruise. Kinda weird that you guys got it too. I wonder if it is going around the country or just from the ship.

 

[encmerk]

momof4ngls,

I know this is not a disney related question, I do have to ask. My DH is in the military also and we have a DD5 who was born a month early with respitory distress. Since then she has severe allerigies that cause several asthma attacks each year along with pneumonia every year. (every year since she has been born.) I have begged for the past 3 years for a neublizer to no avall. I swear that my daughter sleeps and feels better after a neublizer treatment than using an inhaler. Do you have any recomendations on how I can get one through the military? I am looking for advice.

Thanks,
Courtney

P.S. We are tricare prime, and I have offered to buy one if they would give me the medicine. (They still said no.) Help!!!

 

[momof4ngls]

Okay, we all seem to be better, although I'm still itching. LOL I can start posting what I wrote the night before our cruise, though, and by the time I get to the actual cruise, I should be able to keep up with it.

Second installment:

Bon Voyage party thrown by Make a Wish:

MAW gave Snow White her choice of places to have her Bon Voyage party and after much deliberation between Olive Garden and Red Robin, she finally decided Italian was the way to go. She invited her friends, dreamed about the fuss they would have, and finally the day arrived, 3 May. Olive Garden was very accommodating and reserved the family area, despite their typical “no reservations” rule.

We arrived to a beautifully decorated table, thanks to the MAW volunteers. There were also four backpacks sitting on chairs at the end of the table, one for each of our children. These backpacks were filled with activities, snacks, hair ties, jewelry, notebooks, sunblock, and just an amazingly generous assortment of items to make 8 eyes twinkle with joy. It made me so happy to see that twinkle.
We all had great meals and better company. We signed paperwork, received the DCL tickets, went over the beautiful itinerary MAW had made up for us, including the plans they had not yet shared with us, and they gave us an expenses trip to help cover food, tips, the dolphin excursion in Nassau, etc. They are sending us on this amazing trip AND paying for most, possibly all, of our expenses! MAN, you just can’t get better than that!

Then, after dinner, the MAW volunteers brought out the AMAZING cake they had purchased to help celebrate Snow White’s party. They had purchased the cake from The Village Baker and it was just BEAUTIFUL!!! It had these flowers on top that were so well done, we couldn’t figure out if they were real or icing until we cut into the cake! Then we actually ate some, and it was just spectacular! Snow White loves strawberry cakes, so that was what I had suggested to MAW when they asked about her favorite cake. Well, this wasn’t a strawberry flavored cake, this was a moist, delicious white cake with strawberries between the layers!!! Then the cake was covered in white chocolate! Snow White is a very odd child, you see, and she does not like chocolate, except for white chocolate. I’m really thinking that maybe aliens replaced my Snow White with a spy, ‘cause it’s just hard for me to imagine a child of mine NOT liking chocolate, but so far she has kept her alien antennae well hidden. I’m watching for her snow white skin to turn green when she thinks nobody is watching, however. This strawberry cake, covered with white chocolate and decorated so beautifully, was… well… I just don’t have the words to describe how very perfect and amazing it was!

It was truly a day of dreams for Snow White! Unfortunately, when she has such an exciting day, she will often pay with a day in bed the next day or two. This was no exception, but she said that dream party was worth every second of pain and illness the next day. I have to admit to a moment of hiding in the restroom, crying my eyes out after seeing Snow White in such pain yet again. I just hope she can get through the excitement of the cruise without having any problems. Please keep her in your prayers!

 

[momof4ngls]

momof4ngls,

I know this is not a disney related question, I do have to ask. My DH is in the military also and we have a DD5 who was born a month early with respitory distress. Since then she has severe allerigies that cause several asthma attacks each year along with pneumonia every year. (every year since she has been born.) I have begged for the past 3 years for a neublizer to no avall. I swear that my daughter sleeps and feels better after a neublizer treatment than using an inhaler. Do you have any recomendations on how I can get one through the military? I am looking for advice.

Thanks,
Courtney

P.S. We are tricare prime, and I have offered to buy one if they would give me the medicine. (They still said no.) Help!!!

Courtney,
You are just going to have to be stern with them and tell them this is what you want! Remind them that your daughter does much better after a neb treatment and you know it will be beneficial. Also let them know that you KNOW Tricare will pay for a nebulizer.
I had a doctor in Hawaii who refused to give me meds for my neb, stating that there have been studies showing that an inhaler works just as well. I researched it myself and found lots of papers written on it, but they ALL referred to ONE study, showing that at five minutes after using the inhaler, and five minutes after beginning a nebulizer treatment, the patients had the same results. However, at 15 minutes after treatment (when the neb treatment had been finished), the patients having the neb treatment were doing much better. I may be very off on the times, but that's the basic idea of it. This was also a study done on children, btw. Also, if an inhaler is just as good a treatment, then why do they always administer neb treatments when you end up in the ER? It just doesn't make sense. SO... I printed up all the info I had found, made a new appointment and confronted my "doctor" with the pile of papers and my new knowledge. He simply said, "Well, of course I'll give you the meds, I never said I wouldn't!"
We are also Tricare Prime, but we are able to be assigned to civilian PCMs here, so all of us except DH see civilians and that's been a huge benefit for us! If we had continued going to the military doctors, I have no doubt in my mind that they would have NEVER found my daughter's condition. They had no desire to figure out why she was having the problems she was.
I hope you are able to get the treatment your daughter needs. If they continue to refuse, then ask for a "second opinion", and try to get that with a doctor outside of the facility where your daughter is treated. Have they sent your daughter to a pulmonologist? If not, try going that route; maybe that will get the results your daughter deserves.
There are some AWESOME doctors in the military, but it can take time to find them. They also seem to be in the specialty clinics, IME. Good luck to you!

 

[momof4ngls]

Third Installment- The Trip Begins!


Leaving Seattle:

A local transportation company donated a trip to the airport and back. Isn’t that awesome? They picked us up at 5:30AM. Now, this is not nearly as early as I thought they’d need to pick us up, but I was awake until 2:30, sewing the fish extenders that I had neglected for far too long. After getting those finished, very unlike my original vision of them, but still okay… I was exhausted and figured I’d be asleep before my head hit the pillow, as the saying goes. NOPE!!! I slept for about 15 minutes and then woke up, WIDE awake. I think I was afraid I’d oversleep, or our transportation would arrive early and I’d not hear the doorbell, etc. So, I read. That allowed my poor angry back a little time to relax somewhat, and allowed me to escape into a Ted Dekker created world for a little bit. Of course I left the book at home, so now I have to wait to find out how “Skin” ends. Don’t ruin it for me, though, or I might have to send Buzz to use his laser on you!

A long drive to the airport, all of use wearing our special Make a Wish buttons, and we arrive to see one of our MAW coordinators waiting for us with his wife and a luggage cart. Let me tell you, that luggage cart was sorely needed, as nobody heeded my advice to only bring 6 outfits and to pack lightly. <smack forehead> The three bags I had intended to check turned into FIVE bags! We got checked in, checked the bags, and the MAW coordinator ran ahead to talk to security. We got up to security and had NO wait, as they sent us through a special no-line area! Of course, this was after our wonderful MAW coordinator and his beautiful wife wished us a wonderful trip.

I think that security area is the first one where I did not feel rushed to get all our belongings, shoes, etc., into bins and then through the machine, then to get it all situated on the other side. They seem to have things running very smoothly there and I felt comfortable and stress-free this time. Why stress going through security you might ask? Because I’m a pleaser and I obsessively worry over inconveniencing others. So when people are standing behind me, waiting for me to take laptops out of bags, remove shoes from four children, etc., I stress out. LOL

We had an hour still, at that point, before they were scheduled to board the plane, so we had time to spend a small fortune getting everybody breakfast from Starbucks AKA Starmillions in my house. I really do need to by stock in that place, ‘cause even the simplest thing costs a fortune! I do love me a “Nonfat, 7 pump chai latte (adding two pumps of Pumpkin Spice when it’s that time of year), though!!

About 45 minutes later, one of the gate agents came over and told us they would be announcing our name soon to allow us early boarding. WOOHOO!!! I do enjoy getting all settled in before others are waiting in the aisle for us to get out of their way! The flight staff was all very helpful and friendly. They gave us two extra DigEPlayers to use (I’d only rented two), brought the children all some pilot’s wings with sticky on the back, which made it easy to add them to the MAW buttons. 

That was one LONG flight, however, with two little boys who just did not want to sit still and focus on anything (even a movie) for longer than 5 minutes. I didn’t know a child could use the restroom as often as those boys! We had a very gracious man sitting on the other side of the aisle, however, who made sure I knew he didn’t mind when Buzz knocked his glass off his tray and onto this man’s lap, etc.

We finally arrived in Orlando. DH, Buzz, and Tink all went to get the luggage while Snow White, Pooh, and I checked into the Hyatt. How odd to have a hotel in the middle of an airport! Okay, maybe not so odd for some of you big city folk, but I’m from a small town in Oklahoma (that was for you, Mom) and it was sure an odd site for me! The rooms at the Hyatt are gorgeous, beds comfy, and staff wonderful.

We headed to Chili’s for dinner, which was a welcome site after three years of not having one near, but that was a big mistake. No Awesome Blossom, and the food was just so-so. Definitely not worth the money we spent on it! The service was very lacking as well.  Got back to the room and we all hit a wall!! The boys were wired, but we talked them into resting for a while and we all slept for about 4 hours. LOL Now the girls, DH, and I are wide awake and anxious for tomorrow. We’ll have a delicious breakfast with Krispy Kreme AKA “crack donuts” in my house, and Starmillions. TEEHEE Have to love having so many choices available in an airport! Then we’ll head to DCL and start the next chapter. Until then…

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

yay...you are feeling better!!!! and double bonus....you started your tr!!! So glad I went to "borrow" someone's wireless today!! (still no dial-up at my house ....... and they have no idea when it will be fixed ) Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[Amlee]

I'm sorry I have not updated yet. I just haven't had much time to sit and write it all out. We've all been very ill after our trip. We returned on Friday morning (the 16th) at midnight, and had to call 911 later for DS who couldn't breathe. Trip to the ER, several nebulizer treatments, steroids, x-rays, etc., and we were back home, exhausted. Saturday brought flashlight looking in teen throats and seeing disgusting sores, and a trip to the Acute Care Clinic to get Dr. Mom's diagnosis of strep confirmed and get meds. Funny, doc decided they didn't have strep and acted like I was silly for saying so. Said they had Coxsackie. He came back in the room a few minutes later, after the rapid strep had a chance to give them results and announced that both girls had strep. I had already told them that!!! ROFL

Sunday other DS started hacking, wheezing, doing horribly. Treated both boys at home until I could get them into doc on Thursday, where we got prescriptions and nebulizer, since mine is so old I can't even get parts for it anymore. On way to pick up prescriptions, DH called. He needed to go to navy ER because the rash he'd called me about an hour before, that was just on his lower legs at the time, had now spread all over his body. U-turn, trip to ER for DH, doc said the virus causing his cold was also causing his rash. DUMB NAVY DOCS!!! Next morning *I* develop same rash and *I* have no cough!!

Trip to Acute Care Clinic where NPs had no clue, even sitting with skin book, trying to figure it out. Yesterday DH got worse, trip to navy ER, where we both checked in for the heck of it. Mind you, I've determined that I will NEVER be seen in that ER again, even if I'm bleeding to death! I figured they might take DH more seriously if we were both sitting there with this rash, though. Luckily got a PA who didn't think he knew everything and he listened to my concerns about Rubella or Strep without rolling his eyes or laughing hysterically like military docs like to do when you have an idea of what might be wrong. He diagnosed us with scarlet fever, gave each of us a painful, horrible shot of penicillin, lots of meds to take, and sent us on our way.

I need another vacation!!

I am enjoying your TR!

I just wanted to give you a heads up with SF. Once the kids have it, they can very easily get it again. You will need to watch them when they get strep as it can come up on you fast. I first got Scarlet Fever when I was 6. I have had it several times since. I have to watch when I get strep, or bam! I'll have SF before I know it.

 

[pamouselover]

HI PAMOUSELOVER REPORTING IN
Crack doughnuts...love it!!!!!!!!

 

[wilma-bride]

So glad that you are all feeling better. I am loving your trip report so far. Can't wait to read about Snow White's reaction to the Wonder

 

[miztigg]

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Nathan finally met with his wish coordinator and she doesn't think a cruise will be a problem! He is very excited!

 

[ears4all!]

Awesome trip report.......so far at least! So what was your cruise? Was it a four-day on the Wonder? If so, this is great for me. We are going on our first cruise in October, a four day on the Wonder! Great report!

 

[CustardTart]

Lovely report, Melissa! Can't wait to read more! I hope you and your delightful family are better...

 

[marceeinWA]

Yeah, maybe the MAW surprises should stay surprises. I don't want to ruin all their fun. Thank you so much for offering to share with me, though!!

I'm hoping maybe we can save up the money to do a longer cruise on the Magic someday, and maybe see those ruins Snow White wants to see. For now we're just thrilled that we have this amazing opportunity, thanks to Make a Wish!!!

My ds is scheduled for surgery with Dr. E. in Seattle and I would love to chat through e-mail if you don't mind.