The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 4

[tmfranlk]

A day with no DDA....my moments of horror today!

It was a scary few minutes earlier today. I was trying to check email from my work computer and got "FORBIDDEN" messages. I was a little freaked out because Monday I have to start working 6:30-3 everyday and was hoping to use my down time then to visit the DDA. Thank goodness it seemed to be a temporary issue because now I can get on the DIS and email again! YEAH!! Now I can keep up with the day time DDAers and be ready to play with Terra when I get home. I so hate that I'll have to be gone so long everyday.

 

[triplefigs]

I don't have an answer for you about which time to go (Sorry -- I'm stepping back since I want you to go in December so that I can meet you!), but I wanted to tell you.....

YES -- it is okay for you to be worried about it. You've spent your kids' lives trying to do everything you can to help them over the hurdles they have faced. You've just been through a particularly hard time with the schools/evaluations etc.

As the mother of two children who have minor medical issues, mostly just learning disabilities, I have struggled with these types of things, and I don't have to worry about the major medical issues that you do. I accept that my kids will always struggle in school and with related issues, and that I probably haven't always made the "right" decision, but I'm going to do my part to make it easier when I can and realize that there isn't always a cut and dried "right" answer.

As you consider the pros and cons, I seem to remember that Rees got very sick after your trip last year. I am one of the many that has an immune system that fails me when I've been under a lot of stress and not gotten rest. Do you think that he's likely to get sick after stressful (even if it's what we consider happy stress or stimulation) events?) Or more likely, just because of the time of year with cold/flu season so not likely to make a difference? I know that you were careful not to go commando, so this might not have even been a factor.

Bottom line -- You are doing a wonderful job with your figs! I think that is the main theme of what your DDA friends are saying.

Hang in there and know we are always here for those big (and little) decisions.

Yes, you are correct. Rees got very sick at the end of our trip due to too much stress on his little body. I talked to his therapists and Pediatrician about it today, and they all said December is the best for him. Also, Rees is refluxing again (he had HORRIBLE GERD as a small child and was hospitalized for months at a time, was on feeding tubes, didn't eat anything orally, had to have a major surgery called a Nissen Fundoplication). Well, the Ped is sending us to the GI doc in 2 weeks cause he thinks the Fundo has loosened up. That surgery is MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR. Rees was in the hospital for a week and 2 weeks recovery at home. It would require him to get a feeding tube again.

Also he had surgery on his foot 15 months ago for a tendon release, and it is tight again. So that is definitely one major surgery and likely 2 within this year. He already misses so much school for being sick legitimately, that I can't afford for him to miss 5 days of school.

So good news is, I get to see you and Marti/Hunka/Matt at Disney~ That's a great reason to celebrate. Looks like we'll go Dec 15-22 or 23. My only problem now is the plane tickets.

 

[Glynis]

I have 2 OT questions:

1. What are some Easter activities/traditions you do with your kids besides egg decorating and hunting? Glynis, I'm putting you on the spot because I know you'll have something



2. Has anyone taken a permanent method of birth control (or are thinking about this now? I'm struggling with this right now. (Feel free to PM me if you prefer, and sorry if it's TMI for some).

I do have some things that we do. I can post them here, or I can PM you if you want. Are you looking for religious or secular activities? I love to share what we do.

 

[triplefigs]

Denise: (I'll also be selfish and say that as much as I'd like to meet you there, if you don't go, that make the week I go less crowded! )

 

[lovesdumbo]

So I am totally confused...I spent 10 minutes talking to a CM about this whole AP thing...

She said...if you have an AP...yes you can buy a base ticket, upgrade the ticket and then add the dining plan, but you DO NOT (she says) get an AP rate for the room. you get whatever the going rate is. something about no double discount

or you get the AP rate and buy the DDE card (20%)

does this make sense? is she right?

That is correct. You cannot get a package with dining (free or paid) and also get an AP discount on the room.

I already purchased my AP voucher at the Disney Store to use for my two May trips and a family Aug trip. I still have DDE that purchased and used for last Aug & Oct. I don't think I'm going to even try free dining. I'm not sure where I want to stay yet in Aug or if I want to think about buying into DVC (can I buy and book a stay for Aug or am I too late already?). I also like the "terms" on a room only better than a package. For room only you pay a 1 night deposit and balance at check in. You can cancel up to 5 days out. With a package you pay in full at 45 days out and pay a penalty for any cancelation after 45 days.

Julie-you may want to consider an AP discount on the room vs the dining package if Disney doesn't come out with some sort of deal for Dec or do you have air as part of that package? You can purchase a Disney Dining Experience membership for $60 that gives you 20% discount off most table service including alcohol. It even good at CS at AK and value resorts that have no TS. Membership is good for a year from purchase (NOT activation like AP).

Hope I didn't just make things more confusing....

 

[triplefigs]

Denise,

I'm sending you several backbones. I hope they help.

I hope this is enough to hold you over for a little while. Please try and get some sleep. It will help immensley.

Becky

Ok, that is hilarious!

 

[triplefigs]

Denise,

If taking your kids out in September is causing you so much stress than you might be better going in December..hey you had a great time last December right??

I stressed so much last October over this situation. Our school has no unexcused absences. If the child misses a test they get a zero, no make ups, no excuses. I hate the school policy so I had to call them in sick for 3 days. That alone..just lying to call them in tore me apart. Swore I wouldn't do it again. So as much as I would love to go to MNSSHP party again I just cannot..August for us will have to do.

As far as them missing anything, I don't think Davis & Brantley Kate will suffer is they miss K but Rees may & you know best on that front. Since you mentioned he has trouble "settling in" to a new routine then December would be better..again you know what would work best for your family & Rees' special needs.

You can have a pity party anytime you want..you have dealt with alot of stuff with your son & this is your venting spot. We'll listen.

Thank you so much. Y'all are the best.

 

[KristineN]

Yes, the CM told you right. You cannot get an AP rate on a room if you're booking a package. The way to get any dining discount using your AP (other than the 10% here or there for lunches) is to become a member of the Disney Dining Experience - you then get a card that entitles you to 20% your bill (drinks of any kind included) at just about all TS restaurants in the World, and food courts at the values/some of the moderates (where there's not a TS restaurant).

Hope this helps!

OK...help me again please...

1. let's just say...I am going in May...Tammi is using her AP for the room...do I get the AP at this point to use to get into the parks?

2. if I go in Sept. for the free dining pkg...does having the AP then serve any advantage for me

3. I am definitely booked Dec 1-10...how will I even know if I can get an AP rate during that time? Bill likes the dining pkg...but doesn't it make more economical sense to get the dde instead?

 

[triplefigs]

First of all, it's VERY ok. You have to be strong so much of the time, and press on regardless fo whatever comes your way... because that's the nature of life. So if you have a few minutes for YOU, and even if it's a little pity party, I say take it!

As far as the trip, here's my opinion (albeit from a childless girl!). When it was just the school, I thought forget them. You will have a very legitimate reason for going, and a doctors recommendation to support it. The kids won't miss much as far as material, and the trip sounded perfect.

With the information and concerns about Rees, though, I think I'm going to be the oddball and say I would understand more if you went in December. I really think that it will be "ok" either way, and you will all rebound and adjust. I just think that the extra time off and not throwing the schedule off too much sounds more beneficil, IMO.

Keep coming back as long as you need to vent and or switch back and forth; I know none of us mind, and we all want you to make the decision that brings you the most peace!

ETA: apparently while I was typing I became less of an oddball. Well, I wouldn't go that far but more people agreed with the December trip than when I started posting!

You are very wise to be so young. And be careful about those cabbage patches... sometimes they have a "Three for One Sale"!

 

[triplefigs]

I pray that all works out for you and your family.

Thanks. How's your life going today? Any word on your SIL?

 

[UP Disney]

I don't do well with sour foods, but I like to torture myself with Sour Patch Kids occasionally.

Thanks, but it'll cost you more to send them to me than it did for what you paid for them...I'll just pick some up at Target later, since Kevin has a meeting tonight.

Amy

Have one for me. I dare not buy any because I'm doing so well (except for the angel food cake that DH made the other night - had two large pieces over 2 days). I haven't cut sweets out - just trying to have only one small piece. I'd never be able to do that with twizzlers in the house.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Seriously, I had over 50 folders...of course there was one for him too!

Amy

That might be the saddest thing I have ever heard!!!

 

[triplefigs]

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.

I am very sorry about you SIL. BTW, 4A Cervical Cancer is cancer that has spread into the abdomen and surrounding organs such as the bowel or bladder. Since it is on her kidney, I'm presuming that is why they staged it at 4A. You are in my prayers.

 

[UP Disney]

Whan I was pregnant with Jacob and the time was coming for the diabetes test I was cringing inside. I hated drinking that orange stuff with Katie. Yuck! When I called to set up the appointment, and to make a time to pick up my orange drink, the nurse told me that if I wanted I could eat a king size Snickers bar instead and it would give the same results. I thought she was kidding, but she put the doctor on and she told me the same thing. Well, gee, let's compare the two: nasty orange drink on one hand, or king size Snickers on the other hand... is there really a question here? I was so happy! Unfortunately, with the twins, they decided the orange drink was a better indicator than the Snickers. So sad!

What diabetes indicator? Is that something that do when you are pregnant now? I don't remember any orange drink when I was pregnant for either of my girls.

 

[Tammi67]

Yes, you are correct. Rees got very sick at the end of our trip due to too much stress on his little body. I talked to his therapists and Pediatrician about it today, and they all said December is the best for him. Also, Rees is refluxing again (he had HORRIBLE GERD as a small child and was hospitalized for months at a time, was on feeding tubes, didn't eat anything orally, had to have a major surgery called a Nissen Fundoplication). Well, the Ped is sending us to the GI doc in 2 weeks cause he thinks the Fundo has loosened up. That surgery is MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR. Rees was in the hospital for a week and 2 weeks recovery at home. It would require him to get a feeding tube again.

Also he had surgery on his foot 15 months ago for a tendon release, and it is tight again. So that is definitely one major surgery and likely 2 within this year. He already misses so much school for being sick legitimately, that I can't afford for him to miss 5 days of school.

So good news is, I get to see you and Marti/Hunka/Matt at Disney~ That's a great reason to celebrate. Looks like we'll go Dec 15-22 or 23. My only problem now is the plane tickets.

Denise, prayers for you all.

How has the medicaid battle been going? Are you getting anywhere with that?

 

[triplefigs]

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

Your compassion and friendship is the most you could ever do for me. thank you all so much for helping me through these struggles.

 

[triplefigs]

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.

That's pretty cool. I'd just say hello too. You must have a pretty chandelier!

 

[lovesdumbo]

OK...help me again please...

1. let's just say...I am going in May...Tammi is using her AP for the room...do I get the AP at this point to use to get into the parks?

2. if I go in Sept. for the free dining pkg...does having the AP then serve any advantage for me

3. I am definitely booked Dec 1-10...how will I even know if I can get an AP rate during that time? Bill likes the dining pkg...but doesn't it make more economical sense to get the dde instead?

1. Yes but AP will also get you a discount at Down Town Disney if you plan on any gifts for those you left at home.

2. you can book everyone with just 1 day passes, upgrade the others, save your pass for some future use. SO...that would save you the cost of your pass for that trip.

3. That would seem to be the best-try to get an AP discount on the room and if your staying concierge you can do appetizers and desserts there so you'ld get less out the dining plan.

Another option....use the one day tickets from the Sept package to upgrade the others to AP's for use in December as well. Then you'll also have AP's for any trip next year before Sept-except yours would expire in May but you could upgrade the 1 day ticket you still have from the Sept trip.

 

[triplefigs]

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

I've been pleased with it. It worked well last December, and I like how he is doing each day individually this year.

 

[triplefigs]

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!

Thank you so much. Very sound advice.