Trip of Extremes and Dreams! Tons of Pics! 11/30 -12/10 Update Highlight to the End

[SkyGirl]

Before our update of the next day, and DD announcement of the Yak&Yeti ADR, and after the sadness, how about some giggles!

ADVENTURES IN CHEMOBRAIN!!!

1. All my life I have loved road trips, long or short. I remembering driving into the Pennsylvania countryside with my Daddy to my Uncle's farm. It took all day and we would listen to the radio and drink Dr. Pepper's, that you could only get in the country. I remember driving around looking for crushes house with my mom when I was in junion high (GO MOM!). When DD was 9 months old, Mom and I took her on a long road trip, just staying somewhere interesting and then going somewhere else. Three weeks on the road and three weeks of fun. When she was 14 months we drove from Pittsburgh to Ft. Lauderdale - it took sixteen days!! And it was one of my favorite memories!

Enter Chemobrain! Whenever I have stress here in Ft. Lauderdale, I take a drive that takes me from downtown Ft. Lauderdale to the beach, to some local neighborhoods to the other end of the beach. I follow the same roads, same turns. The only thing that changes is the music. Well, chemobrain got me soooo lost that it took me hours to find my way back home! And I was too embarrassed to call for help at home to say I was lost on a drive I've done a thousand times!!

2. Grocery shopping has never been a chore for me. I enjoy it. Being a foodie I get almost a high in the produce department! I save money and get the best ingredients I can. I'm even so good that people stop me to ask my advice!

Enter Chemobrain! I started buying in bulk. Not in bulk like at a membership grocery store, but I would bring home seven bottles of Tylenol, or nine rolls of paper towels, twenty cans of hairspray, 12 jars of salsa, 2 dozen muffins, a bag of dog food for a 100 lbs dog, and you've seen Diva, 2 gallons of milk when only one person drinks it. And by that night, I'd forget that I bought it all!!! I'm still finding things that I'm shocked I bought!!

3. Bathroom Duties! Don't worry, no TMI coming! We all have a hairbrush, we all have a toothbrush. We use both more than once a day.

Enter Chemobrain! I was bald, would walk into the bathroom, unsure of which brush I used for my teeth. For days on end!!

4. Vocabulary and a way with words! I've always been very proud of my vocabulary being pretty large and my grammar being nearly perfect.

Enter Chemobrain! What words? Which grammar? Huh? This drives my Mother and DD insane! I will forget, right in the middle of a sentence what I'm talking about or just one word and it will take me minutes, not moments, to get back to the point! I call people by the wrong name, I can't remember jokes or the names of songs or television shows. I would feel like a moron and have said that chemo stole my IQ, but luckily I have a family that laughs WITH me (and at me behind my back!)

5. Pulled up to Walgreens to pick up the monthly bag of meds.

Enter Chemobrain! They ask for my name ..... it is ......... wait ........ okay, I remember. Now they as for my birthdate! GET OUT? That is like, 40 odd years ago! It takes ..... moments. But there it is! Whoo, I can get my meds and go. No, now they want my address for ID. Are they serious? My address has numbers in it. And is either a drive or a way or a street or ....
I have to call DD on the cell to ask her. She sighs, "Are you at Walgreens?"



And now, back to our regularly scheduled DIS!!!

to you all

 

[momoftriplets]

5. Pulled up to Walgreens to pick up the monthly bag of meds.

Enter Chemobrain! They ask for my name ..... it is ......... wait ........ okay, I remember. Now they as for my birthdate! GET OUT? That is like, 40 odd years ago! It takes ..... moments. But there it is! Whoo, I can get my meds and go. No, now they want my address for ID. Are they serious? My address has numbers in it. And is either a drive or a way or a street or ....
I have to call DD on the cell to ask her. She sighs, "Are you at Walgreens?"



And now, back to our regularly scheduled DIS!!!

to you all

OMG!!!! That is TOOOOO Funny!!!!

I'm sitting here, at my desk, trying not to ! Thanks! I needed that!


You do realize I am laughing with you & not at you, right?

 

[DisneyJo]

However, I'm reading DD's finished novel, which is wonderful, so everyone is dealing with having pizza!! I'm locked away in my room reading and editing, just amazed by her talent.

What a wonderful thing to say you're such a great Mom

ADVENTURES IN CHEMOBRAIN!!!

OMG you're so funny, it's great you can laugh about it

 

[SkyGirl]

OMG!!!! That is TOOOOO Funny!!!!

I'm sitting here, at my desk, trying not to ! Thanks! I needed that!


You do realize I am laughing with you & not at you, right?

Ya gotta laugh!

What a wonderful thing to say you're such a great Mom

OMG you're so funny, it's great you can laugh about it

Thanks! I am a great Mom, if I do say so myself! LOL Really, I've always felt that the reason I was put here on earth is so that DD would be born. She is just too amazing to be just a "normal" person. We've always had such a close and special relationship. We're so lucky.

I did my best to laugh as much as I could through chemo and radiation. It made things so much easier. I remember seeing people there who were miserable and let it show. The difference between them and the people like me, was incredible. Everytime I wore one of my "Cancer Sucks" tee-shirts, the staff and the patients, most of them, would love it! It was just another way of fighting back.

 

[disneydusted]

Our cable has been knocked out from the storms here so I am catching up.... First let me say that I am so sorry for your shock in hearing about your cousins. It is always hard to take that kind of news in.
Second... your attitude still amazes me, you are such a positive person! Your chemobrain stories make me want to give you a big hug You are a true survivor!
Last.... what a great list of ADR's!! You guys are going to be eating really well! Yummmmm!

 

[SkyGirl]

Our cable has been knocked out from the storms here so I am catching up.... First let me say that I am so sorry for your shock in hearing about your cousins. It is always hard to take that kind of news in.
Second... your attitude still amazes me, you are such a positive person! Your chemobrain stories make me want to give you a big hug You are a true survivor!
Last.... what a great list of ADR's!! You guys are going to be eating really well! Yummmmm!

Hi Disney Dusted! I missed you and wondered where you were!

I can't remember what movie it was, I think it was "Michael" with John Travolta, and he kept saying "Ya gotta laugh ..." and I just find that's true in life. Finding that silver lining is the only way to get through the darkness, no matter how dark it gets. I still suffer from post traumatic stress from the cancer (it was the greatest shock of my life, needless to say) but I am truly a person who looks for the humor no matter what is happening. Even when I found out about my cousins, after the initial grief, I forced myself to remember they were with their Dad and my Dad, who adored them, and I had two more people who loved me in Heaven.

So excited about our ADR's! DD had a list of back ups just in case, but she got all the ones that we wanted! And because my tastebuds have changed from last year (chemo strikes again) this year with be even yummier!!



Here's a brand new picture of DD and her DBF. I like him very much, especially considering I beat his behind in Trivial Pursuit all the time and he is my most worthy opponent!!! LOL

 

[jaycns]

Here's a brand new picture of DD and her DBF. I like him very much, especially considering I beat his behind in Trivial Pursuit all the time and he is my most worthy opponent!!! LOL

Okay, I gave a shout of happiness when I read the news about your health, some "awwww...too cutes" when I saw those pictures of you and dd from yester year and some laughs at most of the rest of what you posted. I am sending you huge hugs and prayers for comfort on the news of losing your cousins. And I am loving the plans you have so far! An extra day...WOO HOO!

And this picture of dd and her dbf...STUNNING! What are they all dressed up for?

Sorry for being MIA but you know I was here in spirit.

I just read your entire PTR in one sitting if that counts for anything.

HUGS, congrats on your health, LOVE those outfits (especially the red striped one) and KEEP POSTING UPDATES!! *please*

 

[SkyGirl]

Okay, I gave a shout of happiness when I read the news about your health, some "awwww...too cutes" when I saw those pictures of you and dd from yester year and some laughs at most of the rest of what you posted. I am sending you huge hugs and prayers for comfort on the news of losing your cousins. And I am loving the plans you have so far! An extra day...WOO HOO!

And this picture of dd and her dbf...STUNNING! What are they all dressed up for?

Sorry for being MIA but you know I was here in spirit.

I just read your entire PTR in one sitting if that counts for anything.

HUGS, congrats on your health, LOVE those outfits (especially the red striped one) and KEEP POSTING UPDATES!! *please*

Jay! I'm so happy that you're back!! I've truly missed you!

DD and her DBF were going to his sister's wedding. He was one of the groomsmen. She helped out with the wedding planning. They had a wonderful time.

 

[SkyGirl]

Day Six!!

This will be an Epcot day. We always have such a wonderful time there.

Lunch was a big discussion because we both have our favorites. DD really wants to eat at Norway. Ewww. I've seen the pictures and they just don't appeal to me. The soup looks good but that sandwich .. But she is really excited about it. Then I remembered that Mexico is right next door and while she's tired of that food, I love it. So for the very first time in all of our Disney'ing, we are going to eat food from separate places! I'm going to get Mexican and walk back to Norway with it and we'll eat together Yum, both of us happy!!

Dinner is going to be at Akershus. I still can't believe I agreed to this! We ate there once years and years ago when DD was little and the food was just awful. Now, I know a lot has changed so I'm not worried about the food much, but the characters! Disney Princesses who are going to talk to me!! I'm shy with characters!! However, I've decided to just use my standby from last year that worked so well. "You're my favorite!" And perhaps this year I'll get to keep a list of kisses!!

This is a picture I took in the UK. I love that they put a Pooh Bear in that window!!

And now for a flashback. I'm putting these pictures up of Mr. Toad for DD. It was her favorite ride in all of Disney when she was little!

 

[DisneyJo]

I love the photo of your DD and her BF and I'm so pleased you like him, even if it is because you can beat him at Trivial Pursuit


Great idea about eating different things, we've already decided we're going to do that more in August, or buy 1 meal and share it then a few countries later buy another and share etc.

I've read some good things about dinner at Akershaus lately!

 

[jaycns]

I love the photo of your DD and her BF and I'm so pleased you like him, even if it is because you can beat him at Trivial Pursuit


Great idea about eating different things, we've already decided we're going to do that more in August, or buy 1 meal and share it then a few countries later buy another and share etc.

I've read some good things about dinner at Akershaus lately!

What a great idea about buying one meal at a few different countries and sharing them. I am going to borrow that great idea! It sounds like a whole lot of fun and very tasty to boot! Thanks for the great idea!

 

[SkyGirl]

I love the photo of your DD and her BF and I'm so pleased you like him, even if it is because you can beat him at Trivial Pursuit


Great idea about eating different things, we've already decided we're going to do that more in August, or buy 1 meal and share it then a few countries later buy another and share etc.

I've read some good things about dinner at Akershaus lately!

Hi Jo!! Yes, it seems the area of my brain where I keep totally useless information was not damaged at all by the chemo. Now ask me if I turned off the stove and I'm going to have to go and check, but ask me what famous actress once lived with George Clooney and gave him a pig as a gift: Kelly Preston and the pig's name was Max.

Did I leave the stove on? Again?

That is a great idea to share at different countries but DD and I are not that nice. We do not like to share food and just getting a bite of something is a struggle. I'm eating my Mexican and she's eating her Norwegian!!! We are just bad like that!

I hope Akershaus will be good and I hope those princesses will pretty much say a quick "hi" and leave!!

 

[SkyGirl]

What a great idea about buying one meal at a few different countries and sharing them. I am going to borrow that great idea! It sounds like a whole lot of fun and very tasty to boot! Thanks for the great idea!

Jay, it really is a great idea that Jo had!! Take pictures for your TR when you do it!!

What? I'm serious!!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

I seem to have lost my readers, except for a few!!!!

I don't know if it is because it got boring or because it is going so slowly (the trip isn't for sooo long!) or if I'm just super boring!!

I know that isn't true because I am entralled with my own voice and all my brilliant ideas!!

But I do have some readers and here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAY SEVEN!!!

Day 7 is our first MGM day! I can't believe we are waiting 7 days to go, but it fit perfectly where it is. EMH's get in the way and no park hopper! But this will be an exciting day. So many favorites: TOT, RnR, The Great Movie Ride, the Osbourne Lights, good table service restaurants! The whole laid back vibe of the place is super!

As far as RnR: last December I got a horrible headache on the ride and wasn't sure if I should do it again. After all, no "do-overs" if you have a brain bleed or something else! However, so many people from the DIS have spoken about the headaches they get and how fast they go away. That is exactly what mine did. I now feel safe to go on and am soooo excited! I LOVE that coaster!

For lunch we were unsure of what we were going to have! MGM counter service is just not the best. Last year it was the Commisary and Backlot Express. EWWWWW Both meals were just so gross.

We talked about Studio Grill (I think that is what it is called) but their menu is made up of mostly things I'm allergic to! After much talking, I remembered that Starring Rolls has sandwiches that looked pretty good. I had seen them in past TR. So that is our decision, to go there for lunch.

Dinner is going to be at 50's Prime Time! I love it here. The food is just okay but all the play-acting, the way it is decorated, the little televisions -- sooo much fun!! DD had her 16th birthday there and it was so great. Exciting!

We will watch Fantasmic this night and I am not getting wet like last year! LOL I could not warm up after that.

We are so excited for this trip. It just doesn't matter that it isn't until the last day of November! We talk about it all the time, think about it everyday and are still planning! And, I realized that my hair will possibly be a few inches longer!! That makes me so happy and excited!

Here are some pics of DD at MGM years and years ago! This was where Playhouse Disney is now -- it was a counter service place, I think, done up as Beauty and the Beast and it changed with movies as they came out. I don't remember what it was called, but it was great.

 

[DisneyJo]

What a great idea about buying one meal at a few different countries and sharing them. I am going to borrow that great idea! It sounds like a whole lot of fun and very tasty to boot! Thanks for the great idea!

Steal away

Hi Jo!! Yes, it seems the area of my brain where I keep totally useless information was not damaged at all by the chemo. Now ask me if I turned off the stove and I'm going to have to go and check, but ask me what famous actress once lived with George Clooney and gave him a pig as a gift: Kelly Preston and the pig's name was Max.

You definitely didn't lose your sense of humour

That is a great idea to share at different countries but DD and I are not that nice. We do not like to share food and just getting a bite of something is a struggle. I'm eating my Mexican and she's eating her Norwegian!!! We are just bad like that!

I seem to have lost my readers, except for a few!!!!

I think with the summer now here people don't log on as often, also I read so many TR's that I hardly read any preTR's, I read yours though

I know that isn't true because I am entralled with my own voice and all my brilliant ideas!!

So many favorites: TOT, RnR, The Great Movie Ride, the Osbourne Lights, good table service restaurants! The whole laid back vibe of the place is super!

I'd love to see the Osbourne lights, they look so lovely!

As far as RnR: last December I got a horrible headache on the ride and wasn't sure if I should do it again. After all, no "do-overs" if you have a brain bleed or something else! However, so many people from the DIS have spoken about the headaches they get and how fast they go away. That is exactly what mine did. I now feel safe to go on and am soooo excited! I LOVE that coaster!

That's great, I can't wait to ride ToT again without worrying about DD, I won't be doing RnR again though it made me feel funny

After much talking, I remembered that Starring Rolls has sandwiches that looked pretty good. I had seen them in past TR. So that is our decision, to go there for lunch.

Oh we ate there and it was really nice, huge sandwiches, do mak sure you get everything you're entitled to on the DDP there though as we didn't!



I know this is not my preTR but look what came today I didn't even know it was included in our package, we booked through WDW UK and it did say something about a backpack but I didn't know what it was!

It's a plastic backpack with WDWUK on it, a plush Mickey, autograph book, colour-in postcards, stickers, wallet, pencil, crayons, eraser and note pad

Sorry for the hijack


BTW do you mind if I use your name when replying?

 

[joelp]

I'm still along for the ride ...

Yea - I think it's a summer thing: lots of stuff going on and it's tougher to get the DD to bed ("Daddy - it's still light outside!!) ...

I need to get back to my PTR ...

 

[SkyGirl]

Steal away

You definitely didn't lose your sense of humour

That's great, I can't wait to ride ToT again without worrying about DD, I won't be doing RnR again though it made me feel funny

Oh we ate there and it was really nice, huge sandwiches, do mak sure you get everything you're entitled to on the DDP there though as we didn't!

I know this is not my preTR but look what came today I didn't even know it was included in our package, we booked through WDW UK and it did say something about a backpack but I didn't know what it was!

It's a plastic backpack with WDWUK on it, a plush Mickey, autograph book, colour-in postcards, stickers, wallet, pencil, crayons, eraser and note pad

Sorry for the hijack

BTW do you mind if I use your name when replying?

When I was in the more intensive treatment like chemo and radiation, the doctors and nurses always commented on my sense of humor. But being raised by a great Dad who had heart problems and always laughed, it wasn't forced. It felt natural and made things easier. When I had almost 2nd degree burns on my breast from radiation, I told the Radiation Oncologist that I knew after seeing that, he'd have to retire. Everyone was cracking up, except him, who kept insisting I would be fine!! He was so loving and so worried!!

Do you think DD will skip ToT? Poor girl!!

That backpack is soooooooo cool!!!! I wish I could book through them to get all that great stuff!!

No highjack here -- I love it!!

Yes, you can use my name!! I'm not undercover this year!!

I'm still along for the ride ...

Yea - I think it's a summer thing: lots of stuff going on and it's tougher to get the DD to bed ("Daddy - it's still light outside!!) ...

I need to get back to my PTR ...

Hi Joel! I'm so glad you are still around! It is so long until our trips, isn't it? I keep dragging this out!!

 

[jaycns]

Of course we are still here! That fuddy duddy memory of yours must be forgetting that you have a whole host of fans! And I would be willing to serve as president of your fan club. We can print up shirts...DORY ROCKS! DORY'S STORY!! Okay, the shirts may be pushing it just a tad...but I am really enjoying your pre trip report.

Trip reports by nature are faster than pretrip reports (most of the time). It's much easier to write about what has happened than to create material about what is yet to come. So, cut yourself some slack...keep writing the great posts, know you are one of my favorite DIS writers and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

And if you want a slow moving trip report, just check out the drainage clog known as mine! I am slower than molasses! There, now you know you are more timely with your pre trip than at least one other person.

PS The picture of your daughter and Beast. I LOVE IT!! What a sweet picture. Also, I am jealous of her. If I could pick a Disney prince, he would be it (in all of his hairy, snarly, grumpy glory).

 

[kimbac3]

I'm still here too!! I've been reading all the posts. My DD16 was having some health problems. She ended up in the hospital - they said she had type 1 Diabetes. Long story short - she doesn't Doctors I was giving that poor girl shots she didn't need.

Then both girls had their dance recital and we..it's been crazy around here!!

Your ADRs look great. I made all mine, I didn't get everything I wanted though. I wanted CRT - I even called from DD's hospital room. (Ok I confess...Disney Dining is programed into my cell phone ). No luck.
I did get the Princess Breakfast in Epcot. DD10 said she was ok with that .

I got my Christmas Party tickets too. We'll be there the same night

I'm currently planning our 100 day party, our 50 day party and our night before party. Basically, I buy Disney themed paper products and we each "Disney" food. Chicken strips, fries, etc... Then we talk about our plans and play a Disney trivia game.

Keep posting your plans!! And I love the pictures!! Were you wearing a Guns and Roses shirt in the Grand Floridian pictures????

Kimba

 

[momoftriplets]

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME!!!! I'm still here, too.

You know (or at least you DID before chemo brain took over) I have to live vicariously through you & Jay, because heaven only knows when I"ll get back to WDW!

~B~