To thank you for your support and try to answer some of your questions ~

[4nana]

I want to thank everyone for your overwhelming support. I really do appreciate it! If my misfortune helps someone else, then something good has come from this.

To try and answer some of your questions:

I am a believer everything happens for a purpose, so I kept the faith and tried to have a positive outlook, rather than be depressed and make myself more upset. I spent 48 hrs. making lemonade out of lemons.

Our family is very close and had been very much looking forward to being together, so I would be lying if I said my situation did not put a damper on everyone's spirit. My DH and grown children had a difficult time accepting Mom's confinement, and the grands could not understand why Mickey would not let Nana out of the room. After all, this was their Xmas gift and where was Nana?? Two of our grands we only get to see once a year as they live in Seattle. Unfortunately, not much activity went on family wise the first 2 days.

Upon arrival, the 7 grands had a beautiful arrangement of 7 roses (2 pink and 5 red), balloons, candy and a mini stuffed Mickey waiting in our room, which really brightened the place! They were ordered from Shirley at "The Perfect Gift’. I had called her earlier from Radisson to say hi and she kept my surprise hidden. Thank you Shirley! Their little card about broke my heart.... "Thanks for bringing some ‘Magic’ to our lives".
Some Magic!

Luckily we had been blessed to at least afford a cat 9 with a window. Little did I know that window would become my 'lease on life' as I now had 2 days to watch the waves go by and meditate on the picture of above our bed:
" A Dream is a Wish your Heart makes."

DH stayed with me the first day. By day two, I convinced him that I would be fine and he should keep his Well Being Massage appt and try to enjoy himself of the ship. He said he vented the whole hour to the young lady, so I'm sure it was not fun for her!

He and my middle daughter made the Dis meet and explained why 4Nana would not be coming. The Dis members support really boosted my spirits, as did the cards they slipped under my door. Thanx guys! Target and I became fast friends as we had been emailing previous to cruise, our families met and we have continued to stay in touch. I really appreciate her support.

Guest Services were in and out during the day and called several times a day to be sure I had not left my room as a Medical Alert had been placed on my card. They also brought me a magazine, a book of crossword puzzles, a book to read and a VCR.

My family was full of never ending surprises! Our son had surprised everyone w/Walkie Talkies and left one with me so everyone could keep in touch and keep my spirits bright. My son-in-law brought me the embarkation family picture so I could be reminded what happy times were ahead. My oldest daughter surprised me a 'Minnie Mouse' Wish pearl necklace, hoping it would bring me luck. My middle daughter did some video so I could see what the ship looked like. My youngest daughter made me a friendship anklet. Needless to say, I have been blessed with a wonderful family that I treasure beyond words^i^.

I was allowed to order anything from the dining menu I wanted. I missed the formal dinner, but my son had our asst. server bring me the infamous MM bar that I'd read about and drooled for over 2 yrs. The formal family photo shoot was canceled and rescheduled for Semi night.

After I was released ~ it was party time and some tears were shed. We had fun doing a lot of family activities trying to make up for lost time. No, unfortunately we did not recapture the Magic, nor do I know if we will cruise with Disney again. I feel life is short, there is much to do and many ships to try….. but then ~ who knows, maybe someday I will get that Magic feeling back.

Life is full of surprises....some good, some bad. There are definitely a lot worse things that could have happened. I am going to move forward now, hopefully a stronger and wiser person and thank God for my many blessings ^i^.
One lesson learned ~ after 56 yrs. I have learned to CYA! LOL

Wishing everyone the best life has to offer for 2003!
Sandie ~ 4 Nana

 

[jkester]

Your family sounds wonderful- they really were creative in thinking of ways to keep you involved while you were kept in your room.

Thanks for posting your experience. Best of luck to you in the new year.

Rhonda (James' wife)

 

[TeamMom011]

Thanks so much for posting. You are truly blessed with a great family. It sounds like you have a wonderful husband and you've obviously done much right in raising your children.
Even if you don't see fit to plan another Disney Cruise (and under the circumstances who could blame you?) please continue to visit these boards. We all appreciate your calm and reasonable point of view and you would be so missed if you wandered out of our lives. {{{{hugs}}}} from people you don't even know

 

[AnnMorin]

I loved the "movies" of the ship and the walkie talkies!

 

[rae519]

4nana
You dear heart! I hope God blesses you in abundance because of your optimistic and positive outlook on the unforeseen and unpreventable challenges in your life.
You are the example that others should follow!

Best wishes!
Rae

 

[mrsltg]

Geez, 4 NANA, talk about making lemonade! I'm impressed! Although, my DH and I are sitting here laughing over the fun that we have had tormenting the crew by using my key card (if I were the one confined) all over the ship just to have guest services keep coming back to my cabin and "re-exposing" themselves to my illness! Some other fun ideas were licking the crew members when they entered the cabin "want some germs", fake sneezes, getting the names of crew members who checked on me then calling med services and telling them that so and so looked ill or was ill when they were in my cabin.... We really are terrible people! Kudos to you for handling this situation with grace and dignity!

Erin