The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 4

[Eeyorecln]

This is what is wrong with my knee: Patellar subluxation

The kneecap is designed to fit in the center of this groove, and slide evenly within the groove--this is called patellar tracking. In some patients, the kneecap is pulled towards the outside of the knee.

patients who experience an unstable kneecap have a patella that does not track evenly within its groove on the femur.

So I have to have physical therapy for the next four weeks - twice in the office and then a rigorous home routine - which he said will be pretty extensive and be ongoing

He said my knee buckles b/c my muscles decide they are sick of working so hard so they just shut down. I need to be particularly careful on steps as it is common to happen on steps and he doesn't want me to fall

No knee brace yet but I told him I was going to WDW for an all-girls trip at the end of May

now for the BEST part: he is a Disney fan and promised he would have me ready to go!!!

he said if my knee doesn't seem better at my next appt we will think about a brace for the trip

and he said it isn't a problem that they treat with surgery unless nothing else works after a long period of time!!

I'm glad that the apt. went well.

 

[kc10family]

Aww, thanks Now if only I could figure out the stork or cabbage patch thing, I'd be set!

Are you over your fatigue? Or do you feel blah still?

 

[rosiejo]

Calgon take Paula away!! The poor girl needs a weeklong Calgon bath!!!
Just come to us anytime and vent!!

Ok come on - help a poor english girl out... what is calgon?? Over here its a tablet you put in the washing machine to prevent the build up of lime scale and the song goes "washing machines live longer with calgon"!!

 

[kc10family]

Another person from my era. I was born in 1967. Glad to know there are quite a few of us.

Born "in the Summer of '69" the same day we landed on the moon (that should explain a lot)

 

[weluvdisney]

Ok come on - help a poor english girl out... what is calgon?? Over here its a tablet you put in the washing machine to prevent the build up of lime scale and the song goes "washing machines live longer with calgon"!!

Calgon is bubble bath over here. The woman in the commercial goes "Calgon Take Me Away", as something stressful happens to the person in the commercial. And then you see this person soaking in a tub full of Calgon bubbles.

 

[rosiejo]

Thanks everyone, for the congratulations! It's so nice to come here... you all are as excited as my family! It was a very quick response, which was nice They are sending the written offer letter tomorrow, so when I get it we can move forward with the house-hunting!!!! That's what I'm most excited about

I'm a little late but...

CoNgrAtULatIoNs

 

[Eeyorecln]

Ugh, have to vent...

I ordered my Narnia DVD's from Disneyshopping.com to get the 20.00 Gift Card with prepurchase; I got one for me and one for my sister's birthday this Friday. Yesterday I came home from work to find, well, no DVD's. I checked my email for the tracking number and put it in, and it was for a package that was delivered to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 1st...odd. Then I see an email with my "20.00 Gift Card"...I open it thinking it is telling me that the GC was shipped seperate from the Movies, but no, its a coupon code for 20.00 off a purchase before 4-17, and there was only one even though I ordered 2 copies of the DVD. So, I call and talk to a guy that tells me that USPS forgot to recycle their tracking numbers, um, okay, and that if my second "gift card" doesn't show up by tomorrow at 5:30 to call back. I then ask why it is a coupon code and not an actual GC and he says he doesn't know but people have been calling to ask all day.

So, I decide to email the guest relations departarment about this and get a response this afternoon that says that the GC is one per person, not one per pre-order like it has been in the past and that if I don't recieve my DVD's in 10 WORKING DAYS to call back. Now I'm angry; before I even ordered the DVD's I called to inquire about the GC's since one is a gift and was told I would get 2 of them, and they was told yesterday that I would get the second one also. I call and get told that it was misinformed and there is nothing they can do about it so I asked to speak with a supervisor. Wil, the supervisor, was kind enough to sort it all out for me and is sending me the second 20.00 GC by snail mail and an additional 10.00 one for the inconvenience.

Anyway, it all worked out but the frusterating thing is that I could have gotten it at work for cheaper and still got the poster, but no GC's and not paid 11.00 shipping. I really wanted the Gift Card though, I had planned to use it at my Disney Store for Disney Dollars for my trip in June and now I can't. Plus, I wouldn't have had to wait a week and a half to get my DVD's, although Wil told me it should be here by Friday.

Apparently they have had LOTS of calls about the gift card and shipping issues this go-around...

Thanks for letting me vent!

I can imagine that would be frustrating, I'm sure they're going to get plenty of complaints as a GC and coupon are 2 different things. Sometimes, we order things from internet for the GC that we use for gifts to family. You can't give a coupon, and having to use it before 4/17 isn't much time. I definitely would not be thrilled.

 

[rosiejo]

Well, now you're giving me a complex! I was going to post some pictures from our trip too, but between calling me a "posting monster" and accusing me of impersonating my husband, I don't know...

Amy

I have to step up to Vicki's defence, that was me making the accusations :

Go on - show us more pictures, we love to see them you're such a cute family

 

[rosiejo]

OMG -- the radio station I listen to said that the Lost tonight was the last new one until May.....but the preview for the next show, shows new things and they said it is next Wednesday. Woo Hoo! We don't have to wait so long for more info!!!

Hmm - my download schedule says the next one is due on April 26... I'm two behind so please no spoilers

 

[Glynis]

Of course, it was! What haven't you seen or heard! You are such a lucky lady. Footloose was filmed by you and you know Marie Osmond and could have met Donny Osmond!!! You are so down to earth for being so close to so much royalty!!! I love that in you.

Well, I wasn't around when Footloose was filmed, but did have many friends that were. It would have been so cool to have been an extra in that movie. I love it!

 

[kc10family]

Paula, what's the current situation with your SIL? When is your BIL arriving in MI? Where in MI is she? Hope the news sounds better as you hear more.

BIL-J (John) did not make his flight out of Sacramento so he had to wait about 6 hours for the next one.

He got into MI and off to the hospital. SIL-T (Tammie) was very happy to have him with her.



Well come to find out SIL-T doesn’t have a tumor IN her stomach… it is on her spine and around her kidney. They can’t operate because it could paralyze her if they nick the spine. They put the shunt in last night and will be giving her a radiation treatment today sometime.



I didn’t know cancer is categorized by number, but it goes from 1-5 with 5 being terminal. She is categorized at a 4A (not sure what the A is all about). So it doesn’t sound all that good. They think the cancer is in her lymph system as well.



MIL says to me this morning, “I think I will go out to MI on the 17th during Easter break because other wise I wont be able to go until summer.’ In the words of SIL-A (April) ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

What ever!!!! I think she is out to lunch.



BIL-J should be talking w/ the Dr today and give us a full report tonight. I will let you all know how it goes.



I can’t thank you enough for all the prayers and PD.

 

[bethbuchall]

They get NO days at all for family vacations, etc. I'm just afraid he may have just gotten into the groove of things (it takes him a while) and then I take him out for a week (albeit it would be so fun!. We would go during the 8th full week of school. Then he has to totally regroup and try to get back on track, and it might take him a couple of weeks to get back into the groove. The more I think about it, the more it worries me. And I'm afraid of what the school will think of me taking them out 7 weeks after they start Kindergarten, when I have a child with "issues". And, my kids, especially Rees, get sick a lot, so they may miss a ton of school for legitimate health reasons, so I don't know if I want to take a chance and add to it. I won't know his teacher until school starts Aug 7. So, what's a mom to do?

I've bought the airplane tickets, but I do have trip insurance so I could cancel and just be out my trip insurance amount. I'm hoping AirTran will have a special for December, but it is more expensive now and we're not taking a chance on Delta. We could drive since it'd be over the Christmas break.

So with this new info, WWYD? Is it ok if I'm having a pity party and mad that my child has to be "special" where things are ALWAYS going to be that much harder for him? And I know that several of you face the same issues with your children. Ok, pity party over. Back to normal.

I'm going to start at the bottom, because that is the easier question to answer. It's definitely ok to have a pity party and be mad that your son is going to have a more difficult time with everything than other kids are. Then after the pity party, turn the energy positive and do everything in your power to lessen that struggle and to help him learn how to face the challenges. And you already do that! You are a terrific mother, and all three are very lucky to have you in their court.

As for the first question, can you sit down and list out all of the pros/cons for each date and rank them? Have you already done this? I miss a lot when there are a ton of posts to catch up on...sorry! I personally don't have a backbone, so faced with your school officials and policies, I'd probably go in December. I have taken my kids out of school several times, though, and it was definitely worth it. I think that you should weigh Rees' needs on top of everything. Really think about which would be better for him, the lower crowds or the more consistent routine.

I'm sorry that I'm not much help. I wish that I could do more.

Beth

 

[kc10family]

Did I ever tell you all I think I have a ghost/sprit in my house? Ever so often (no particular time of day or situation) our chandelier tinks. Sometimes it’s one tink (like a spoon on a wine glass) some times it’s two or three in a row. It’s even been three fast then a wait and one or two tinks. At this point I just turn around and say hello and nice to hear you today.

What else do you do?

So they/he/she is here right now.

 

[bethbuchall]

Another person from my era. I was born in 1967. Glad to know there are quite a few of us.

My brother was born in 1967.

Beth

 

[Glynis]

Glynis thank you for the shortbread recipe. I will have to try this while DH is at his class. I get much more done at night when he is gone.

Peach cobbler? I might have to come over ( how long is the drive w/ two toddlers from CA to UT?)


Well, from DL to our house is about 10 hours. I don't know how long it would take from where you are. You know, we ought to plan a DDA meet at DL for all us West coasters. There are a few of us in UT, CA, OR, ID, CO, etc. Then maybe we wouldn't feel so badly about not going in May.

 

[kc10family]

Now that I have caught up and did NOTHING else, I am off to match up socks from the laundry yesterday.

I know, I know… you all want to be me. Matching socks is just so much fun. Don’t worry, I’m sure you will have the joy of matching socks sometime in the near future.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thank you all so much for making me feel loved and less neurotic. You're compassion for my family is overwhelming, and you've got me in tears. i think I may switch back to December. I just couldn't live with myself if I put Rees at even a bigger disadvantage. And, we'll get the GAC again which helps tremendously with crowds and lines. I don't like the crowds, but we can work around them by going EARLY and using TGM.

I'm still going to hold on to both ressies for a while, but I think I know which way I'm leaning. Thanks again.

I posted to you before I read this. I agree with everyone that the stress isn't worth the extra that you will save.

I'm going back and forth about signing up for TGM. Do you recommend it?

Beth

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Did I ever tell you all I think I have a ghost/sprit in my house? Ever so often (no particular time of day or situation) our chandelier tinks. Sometimes it’s one tink (like a spoon on a wine glass) some times it’s two or three in a row. It’s even been three fast then a wait and one or two tinks. At this point I just turn around and say hello and nice to hear you today.

What else do you do?

So they/he/she is here right now.

Sounds to me like Tinkerbell!!!

So let me see if I am understanding you correctly - your DH's sister has really bad cancer - possibly terminal - and her mother is trying to work it into her schedule to go see her My child would not have gotten the words "I have cancer" out of their mouths before I made it there!!

 

[rosiejo]

Well.... I live by the Queen now (and grew up in this town or a nearby one). I'm pretty sure I won't be living by Julie (sorry Julie, but you should just move East ). I like Amy's area, but I don't think there is anything available there from what we've been looking at.

So I guess that's the probability, but who knows ... I'm just excited that I can finally start looking at houses and then actually TALKING to people about them! Well, after we do the financing junk

Jen - have you not been keeping up these last few pages? There is a house available in Amy's area, and it's got a great counter for baking cookies for your future kids!

And if you express an interest Amy will cook you dinner!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Airfare in non-refundable, but I can change it for $250 total or claim it on my trip insurance (not Disney) and only lose $100. I don't know who I'd talk to at the school now. Maybe the people who are evaluating him for his IEP? I just don't want them to think I don't care about his education and how he will adapt (since he does have trouble settling in to a schedule) and think that I believe a trip is more important (even though it is!)

Denise - I know I may be a bit late, but I'm jumping in with my two cents.

For right now, I would keep both reservations - at least for a little while longer until you can better evalulate how Rees is doing, and maybe get some further advice from the school, Rees' therapist, etc. Has there been other incidents that maybe Rees' therapist knows of where it's been more advantageous for a special needs child to take a trip with his family during the off-season times, and how the school dealt with it at that time? I remember you mentioning how the lower crowds might not be as stimulating for him. I don't think anyone could misjudge your decision for Rees if you're taking all aspects of his condition into consideration. And I would certainly hope that no one would suggest that your family doesn't deserve and need to spend time together while the kids are growing - I'm sure that in and of itself is much more vital to Rees' health and wellbeing than anything he would miss that week in kindergarten.

Here's some PD that an answer and resolution presents itself soon!