The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 13

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

We have like no rain right now. It has rained all day but just a steady rain. No downpour and the winds have yet to get too high. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get much worse.

Our house flooded, 5 feet high in the basement, with Isabel in '03 at high tide in the middle of the night with the storm surge, it was between 8 and 12 feet high.
They are calling for a 3 to 5 feet storm surge.

Robyn - Let's hope it stays away from you all. I have not been following the weather forecasts so I am not certain where it is headed.

 

[ReAnSt]

Does anyone do the Mr. Potato head in the box.

If so I read on the budget board that they got some new pieces in.

Speaking of Potato head parts. My AC Moore store now sells the parts individually and the potato separate, they are not Disney parts though. They cost 79 cents apiece. They had bags, different face parts, etc.

 

[tmfranlk]

Update on Kate from Tammi -- Tammi can't get to her computer now so she called with news from Steve. Kate's surgery went/is going well. The doctor feels he will be able to repair eveything and Kate ought to be waking up and home in about 5 hours. (I am hoping I got it all correct, Tammi.)

As I was talking on the phone with her the two chairs on my patio skidded the whole length of the patio in the wind! Ernesto is here and blowing up a storm and dumping tons of water on us. It's coming your way, Robyn.

That is great news Kate!! I hope that you are back to your old self before you know it. Happy walking!

 

[babytrees]

Hope all of you in Ernesto's path are safe tonight.

I am glad we decided to do mommy and me time as it looks like it's going to rain here (finally!!) and poor Jimmy( ) said he'd work the game tonight, not me!!

 

[ReAnSt]

I have to sit on my hands and bite my tongue at some of these meetings....I'd like to know where their common sense went!!

I don't think that feature was ever installed or they never got the upgrade. I don't think it went anywhere they just never had it to begin with.

 

[ReAnSt]

Welcome back Lindsay. I hope your trip went well.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Hope all of you in Ernesto's path are safe tonight.

I am glad we decided to do mommy and me time as it looks like it's going to rain here (finally!!) and poor Jimmy( ) said he'd work the game tonight, not me!!

Poor Jim, Enjoy your time with Abi

 

[ReAnSt]

Here's an update on my mom for those who have asked. Good and bad news, but considering June's news I guess it should all be considered good. They can tell mom has a had a recent stroke. They think it is mild, but have to do more tests. They know she now has two blood clots in her lungs, not sure if this was a low pressure or high pressure (vein vs. artery) stroke. Good news is that her breasts cancer from nine years ago has not metastasized. One of the compression fractures they found does seem to be compressing her spinal cord, and that's why they think she can't walk. Her legs aren't paralyzed -- she has some feeling, but when she tries, she can't move her upper leg to take the step. They have called in a neurosurgeon who is currently in surgery. He will look at the scans and will decide the next step. The complication is the blood clots. The pulmonary specialist I talked to yesterday said that they were treating mom with blood thinners, which should dissolve the clots, but if surgery is required they will have to put a filter in her vena cava to try to catch additional clots.

So, bottom line is I'm trying to finish up work so I can go over and catch the doctors. I stopped on here because you guys are my family and I wanted to ask for prayers and PD. You all have been so supportive over the last few weeks, and I know I keep repeating myself but you have been true lifesavers.

I already sent PD and prayers out for June, Caroline (Dawn) and Kate, so here's some more for anyone else who needs it.

Marci

Sending prayers and to your family.

 

[Glynis]

I am totally jealous! And to think I was stoked about my 20 minute trip to Target the other day.

Ooo, that Chick-fil-A was so yummy! I had a chargrilled sandwich (minus the bread), with a fruit bowl. It was so yummy! I didn't get to Barnes and Noble, though. Oh well, something for another day!

 

[Glynis]

I murdered my science teacher because I hate myself....


Now before anyone calls the ::cop: on me because they think I am follow the instructions below.

I received this as an email. It can be pretty funny, although mine is quite disturbing - type out the sentence you end up with in a reply and share with us your response.

Pick the month you were born:
January--I kicked
February--I loved
March--I smoked
April--I dry humped
May--I choked on
June--I murdered
July--I did the Macarena with
August--I had lunch with
September--I danced with
October--I sang to
November--I yelled at
December--I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a Mexican
6-------a gangster
7-------my cell phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19-------myself
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an ipod
29-------a permanent marker
30-------a llama
31-------A homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White----------because I'm cool like that
Black-----------because that's how I roll.
Pink------------because I'm NOT a homosexual.
Red------------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I hate myself.
Purple---------because I'm cool.
Gray----------because I was drunk
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange-------because I hate my family.
Brown--------because I was high.
Other-------because I'm a ninja.
None--------because I cant control myself

Now type out the sentence you made and share it with us.

Due to the not all great news around here I thought I would share some off the wall emails I received.

Sending prayers, and to everyone who needs them.

Here's mine:

I kicked Chuck Norris because I'm cool like that.

 

[MinnieMouseMom]

Glad to hear from you, Kate!

Wonderful pics, Amy & Denise!

My mom and Stephanie went shopping and when they came back they had this for me (Stephanie picked it out for me):

http://www.locknalarm.com/store/product.php?productid=4&cat=1&page=1

 

[MinnieMouseMom]

Oh, I forgot...

I ran over a permanent marker because I'm cool like that LOL

 

[ReAnSt]

Abi loves marine life and wants to be a maine biologist or vet when she grows up....but if she works with sharks....I will be a tad worried every day!!

That is still one thing I would love to do. My favorite teacher spends his summers off of remote islands SCUBA diving with sharks for weeks at a time. When I went to Jamaica with him in high school we did marine science studies and had to learn and collect and identify 90 marine creatures, their habitats, their phylums and other information. This trip could act as our midterm depending if our teacher allowed it to count most did. For our test, all the creatures were in containers spread out on the tables we had 45 seconds at each station to answer whatever question was asked about each critter. Then we moved on to the next station till we travelled to all the different stations.

 

[Glynis]

I said hello on a separate thread but was encouraged to come by here and introduce myself as well. I have been lurking here for a month or two so it is well past time.

My name is Suzanne and I have two beautiful kids. Michelle, 6, is the reason we are going to WDW in October. She was diagnosed June 1, 2005 with Aplastic Anemia, her body wasn't making blood cells. After trying some drugs which didn't work, she had to have a bone marrow transplant, November 11, 2005. We live in California but decided to have the transplant in Wisconsin. Michelle had some complications that kept us there longer than we hoped. We ended up staying there for 9 months. DH was there off and on and my mom brought DS out. My son Ian, (will be 4 Sep 11) had a hard time this past year with mommy and sister being gone so much. He came to visit but it wasn't the same as having us home.

Make A Wish granted Michelle's wish to go to Walt Disney World! We will be there October 7-15 and are staying at the Poly! The kids are thrilled and can't wait to go down the volcano slide. I have some special events planned for them, tea with Sleeping Beauty for Michelle and I and a pirate cruise for Ian. We are looking forward to spending some quality time together as a family.

Anyways, I came here to get some cool creative ideas. The trip is getting close enough I need to start working on things before time gets away from me. I am looking forward to meeting some new friends and getting some new ideas.

Suzanne

Welcome, Suzanne!!!! It's nice to have you join our group! Not to be nosy, or anything, but did the bone marrow transplant work? How is your daughter doing, now!

There are so many people here on this thread that have been to WDW numerous times, and they can help you make this trip extremely special!!! I, myself, have never been, but I'm anxious to hear how everyone else's trips go!

I hope you feel like you can come here and ask your questions. We are a friendly group! Thanks for introducing yourself.

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi you all.
I hope this finds all of you well.
We still don't have internet yet.
I'm using the internet room @ work.
Just wanted everyone to know.
WE MADE IT TO SUNNY FLORIDA.

The area is beautiful.
I have been running errands.
Got Ramiro registered in school.
All ready for Tuesday.
Well I need to go.
Catch you all later.

Welcome home, Jo!!! I hope that you are enjoying it. Wish Ramiro the bet of luck from us all at his new school. Enjoy your new life and we'll look forward to seeing you more when you get hooked up.

 

[Glynis]

A drunk man in an Oldsmobile

They said had run the light

That caused the six-car pileup

On 109 that night.

When broken bodies lay about

"And blood was everywhere,"

"The sirens screamed out eulogies,"

For death was in the air.

"A mother, trapped inside her car,"

Was heard above the noise;

Her plaintive plea near split the air:

"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"

She fought to loose her pinned hands;

"She struggled to get free,"

But mangled metal held her fast

In grim captivity.

Her frightened eyes then focused

"On where the back seat once had been,"

But all she saw was broken glass and

Two children's seats crushed in.

Her twins were nowhere to be seen;

"She did not hear them cry, "

"And then she prayed they'd been thrown free, "

"Oh, God, don't let them die! "

Then firemen came and cut her loose, "

"But when they searched the back, "

"They found therein no little boys, "

But the seat belts were intact.

They thought the woman had gone mad

"And was traveling alone, "

"But when they turned to question her, "

They discovered she was gone.

Policemen saw her running wild

And screaming above the noise

"In beseeching supplication, "

Please help me find my boys!

They're four years old and wear blue shirts;

"Their jeans are blue to match.""

"One cop spoke up, ""They're in my car, "

And they don't have a scratch.

They said their daddy put them there

"And gave them each a cone, "

Then told them both to wait for Mom

To come and take them home.

"I've searched the area high and low, "

But I can't find their dad.

"He must have fled the scene, "

"I guess, and that is very bad."

"The mother hugged the twins and said, "

"While wiping at a tear, "

"He could not flee the scene, you see, "

"For he's been dead a year."

"The cop just looked confused and asked, "

"Now, how can that be true? "

"The boys said, ""Mommy, Daddy came "

"And left a kiss for you."" "

He told us not to worry

"And that you would be all right, "

And then he put us in this car with

"The pretty, flashing light. "

"We wanted him to stay with us, "

"Because we miss him so, "

"But Mommy, he just hugged us tight "

And said he had to go.

He said someday we'd understand

"And told us not to fuss, "

"And he said to tell you, Mommy, "

"He's watching over us."

The mother knew without a doubt

"That what they spoke was true, "

"For she recalled their dad's last words, "

" I will watch over you."

The firemen's notes could not explain

"The twisted, mangled car, "

And how the three of them escaped

Without a single scar.

"But on the cop's report was scribed, "

"In print so very fine, "

An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109.

This had me crying. What a beautiful poem!

 

[triplefigs]

UPDATE ON CAROLINE!​

​

I just got a PM from Dawn, and I told her I'd post for her.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Apnea Monitor. The dr said he has no problem sending us home with one. He said the insurance won't like it, but with the episode she had he wouldn't have any problem justifying it. He said Home Health will come out and work with us on it.

He's increasing her Reglan to the maximum dose and said maybe we'll go home tomorrow, but he has no problem keeping her a few more days if he's not satisfied with her progress. She was spitting up while he was in here so he saw everything first hand. He said his goal is to keep it from being so forceful that it comes up through her nose.

We've already talked to the nurse about getting signed up for the infant CPR class. I've had it several times but I definitely need a refresher. We also talked to him about what else we needed to know in case it happened again and he said just have lots of bulb syringes where we can easily get to them and suction her nose and mouth.

We also discussed that when both Christopher and Caroline had these episodes they were strapped in the infant carrier and she hasn't been put in that position since she's been in the hospital. He said tomorrow we're going to feed her and put her in and watch what happens. I'm just so thankful that we can go through some of these scenarios while we're in the hospital. I'm still skittish about being home with her, even with the monitor.

We're so blessed to have a high level NICU here. I just took it for granted that there were hospitals like this everywhere. My MIL is on the Board of Directors here and she educated me on how specialized things are here. We've also been very lucky that the head Neonatologist has been here for the last few days, and will be here throughout the weekend. We absolutely love this dr.

It seems so strange that football starts tomorrow and we're not a part of it at all. We gave our tickets to my SIL and her husband. This game won't be on TV so we hope to catch it on the radio or possibly the Internet. I had to laugh last night, though. Brian's mom brought us a gift from family friend. She made Caroline these beautiful bibs and burp cloths, and one of the cloths had a purple and gold tiger print band at the bottom and had "I spit purple and gold" embroidered on it. How appropriate on all accounts I love the new picture of the kids in their crimson! It's the wrong color, but they're still too cute for words

Thanks again for the advice and support. I know things could be much worse than they are, but she's my baby and I just can't imagine my life without her. I'm so scared because I still feel this is a life threatening condition for her. I know you understand that feeling as well. We went through this with Christopher so we know what we're facing.

 

[Glynis]

Okay, after the week from he)), my DH and I are leaving tomorrow to visit our friends in a little town called Arbovale, WV and will return on Monday night. I am taking Stephanie's Pal Mickey and will take lots of pictures. However, not sure when I will get them posted because my puter is giving me some trouble with my Kodak Easy Share.

I will be thinking about all of you wishing you could be with us with our friends. To sit on the front porch listening to the creek and the wind rustling the trees. Watching the dogs run about and having their cat Calie sit on my lap wanting to be scratched. Hearing the Ginuea hens and their prissy rooster talking to each other. Good food, lots of good wine. The men will try to save the world at least one night while we are there downing a good bottle of scotch till 2 or 3 am.

I will also be keeping Caroline and June close to my heart.

Take care and read ya on Monday.
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Also, I had asked Chanon to send me the brocure about DL and it came today with lots of pxie dust included

I also asked Paula for the DL survey and will be filling it out.
I am also about 99.9% sure I will be going to DL
Watch and see if I add a ticker.

Terry - Don't tease me!!!!! Please, please, please come to DL!!!!! I've never told you this, but every time I see your picture I just have to smile! You look EXACTLY like my mother's best friend! Same smile, same beautiful face, everything. I would absolutely ADORE to meet you in person!!!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi All!

I'm back with a nasty head cold and a very bad case of post Disney depression. We some very magical moments at Disney but unfortunately had some issues with the hotel-came back to the hotel late the first night to a room without any funiture and a connecting room with about 20 matresses in it. When I went to tell the supervisor who assigned us the room the condition of the rooms the next day she laughed and said it wasn't her fault-engineering had told her the rooms were OK. I need to compose a letter to Disney about the experience as she showed no appreciation for what we went through late at night with no luggage or stuff I had shipped down via UPS (that arrived at 11PM). Her reaction was shocking.

Emma was sick for 2 days at Disney, Joe our last day and Lizzie on the car ride home from the airport.

I need to upload the photos from my camera and I haven't had a chance to even unpack yet. I can't imagine how many loads of laundry I'll be doing this weekend.

Lizzie starts school on Tuesday. Joe goes for about an hour on Wednesday to meet his teacher and 1/2 the class and then starts on Thursday and Emma starts on Monday the 11th.

Good news is my husband actually enjoyed the trip and was OK with my meeting Beth and Anne Marie (I didn't tell him in advance). It was really great meeting then and I was blown away with Paula's SSP!!!!! I need to unpack tonight. Maybe the Tink pillowcase will cure my cold and depression.

Hope all is well with everyone. Maybe I can get caught up some over the weekend while doing laundry.

Here's the photo taken with my phone. I'll post a better version when I upload the other photos.

Welcome back, Bernadette! I am glad that you all had a good time despite some illness. The hotel your first night does not sound fun! I would definitely write a letter. The pictures is great too, but can you remind me who's who?

 

[Glynis]

Before I get started on the update, June I am praying like crazy for you. I know you can fight this!

Kate, good luck on your surgery.

Amy, thanks for keeping me in the loop.

Thank each and every one of you for all of the prayers and good thoughts. I haven't been able to read them yet, but once I called Amy Tuesday night I went back to Caroline's room feeling the power of all of you behind us.

I did read Amy's posts so I didn't repeat too much info, but that was much earlier today and I never had enough time to post this update. I couldn't let any more time go by without telling you all how grateful I am so forgive me if I'm repeating too much.

As you know we were several blocks from the pediatrician's office Tuesday when Caroline choked on a large amount of spit up. She turned blue and sort of gray and the look on her face is something that I'll never be able to forget. I truly believed she would die in my arms before we could get help for her. Once we got to the office all 3 dr's started working on her immediately. She had a focal seizure and they gave her Valium, which stopped it. She was also on oxygen. By that time the paramedics arrived and she was stablized enough to transport her to the NICU.

We are very fortunate to have one of only a handful of specialized hospitals in the country and there is a Neonatologist here 24/7. I know you know all of the tests that she had so I won't repeat all of that. So far everything has come back negative. No pre-existing conditions have shown up and they assure us that she will have no permanent damage from lack of oxygen.

Several days after her birth we realized she had reflux. We knew the signs because Christopher also had it. We discussed it with her pediatrician and the ped. on call, but they weren't convinced she really had it. Fortunately the Neonatologist took the approach that we knew what we were talking about and we would monitor and watch her instead of having to put her through the pneumogram and ph probe, which is very uncomfortable. She spit/vomited so heavily that the nurses had trouble suctioning her. He diagnosed it as a severe case of reflux and started her on meds last night. We believe the Zantac is working already because she's not crying after feedings anymore, but he said it will take a few days for the Reglan to be effective and we'll probably have to play with the dosage to get it right. She is still spitting up fairly heavily, but we do see some improvement. We've also switched her to a formula with added rice, but we're still having to add rice cereal to thicken it up. That helps keep the formula down. We tried to breastfeed, but I'm not going to be able to .

She's still on antibiotics since there are a few tests still outstanding, but she came off the IV fluids yesterday so she's just on formula now. They weighed her this evening and she's up to 6.9 lbs . They also moved us from an isolation room to a bonding room. It's still part of the NICU, but there are 2 pullout chairs so Brian and I can stay with her all of the time. Before we had to go out of the NICU to go to the bathroom, sleep, etc. Here they bring meals to us, we have a private bathroom, TV, phone, etc. I haven't left the room since they moved us here yesterday. She's still being monitored and we're only a few feet away from the nurses station.

As things stand now it looks like we'll be discharged on Saturday. Thank you all again!

I hope everyone is doing well, and here's and for anyone who needs it.

Dawn - You are an amazingly strong woman!!! I will continue to pray for you and Brian and Caroline! Thank heaven you were close to that neonatologist!!!! And thank heaven he listened to you! I'm so glad that the tests have all come back negative! You just concentrate on you and Caroline. Make sure you tell her that all her DDA Aunties and Uncles are sending her pixie dust and prayers! She is such a little fighter! Good for her!

Take care and know that we are here if you need us!