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Old 06-08-2008, 04:13 AM   #1
nalexander
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Disney World or Psych Ward: Trip Report Updated 11/11/08

This is my first attempt at a pre-trip or trip report so here goes.

First let me introduce the cast for this trip, then I will explain the title.

Me (Niki)- I am a 33 yr pediatric nurse who loves all things disney. I am an overplanner and freak when it comes to organization. This will be my 3rd trip to disney.

DH (Charles)- a 38 yr Electrical Engineer who likes me to plan everything and relax when we are on vacation, but who will not leave his cell phone off during the trip. He feels the office will explode without him and must take a little time each day to check in and put out any fires. This will be his 2nd trip to disney.

DS (Byron)- at the time of the trip will be 23 months old. Byron is my pride and joy. We adopted Byron. We meet him when he was 7 weeks old and he moved home at 3 months.

Now let me explain a little about my title.
First, as I said we adopted my son. If anyone has ever gone through this process you know how stressful it is. Plus, we choose to do an open adoption so the parents our the ones who pick the adoptive parents. We had multiple delays due to my husband having an FBI file from being in the Navy. After we got approved we had several let downs due to not getting a baby after meeting them or being told we were being considered. Then one day I got a call from my social worker and she asked if we would like to be considered for this little boy. She had to ask due the birth mothers medical history. We said yes. We were then told it was between us and one other family and we would find out in a week. We were picked and meet our new son. Due to delays in the court he was not placed with us for 6 more weeks, but we got visitation. So in January of 2007 our family had a new member.

All was going well until October 17, 2007 when my husband got up one morning and said he was having chest pain. After about 30 minutes he agreed to go the ER. Well after tests were done it was determined that he had 80% of LAD (main artery feeding the left side of the heart). He spent 5 days in the hospital and had a stent placed.

On October 24, 2007 my son was having an elective surgery for hypospadia (misshape of the opening of the penis) since my husband had missed a week of work I was on my own at the hospital for the surgery. It went well.

On October 27, 2007 was my sons first birthday party. Both of our families our from out of town so I had multiple house guest. My husbands parents had been there since his heart problem and my divorced parents drove up together a few days before (I wish I could have been a fly in that car ). I did all the cooking and cleaning for the party. We had about 50 guests. A few days after the party everyone was gone.

At this time I asked my husband if we could go to WDW next year for DS birthday instead of a big party. He said you start planning.

I thought life will be normal again, but I was wrong. I had to put my cat to sleep due to cancer.

Then Thanksgiving was at my house. My husbands family came for the long weekend. I had to work the night before and then stayed up all day and did all the cooking. Plus, I had to work part of the weekend. Did I mention I only work night shift.

Then on December 6. 2007 my mother and father in law were in a car accident that killed my father in law and left my mother in law critically injuried. See was in the husband for 6 weeks then in rehab for 2 months. Of course all the this was 2-4 hours away from my house and we were making weekly trips to see her. Once out of rehab she moved in with my sister in law, but that did not go well and 6 weeks later she was living with me. She has never lived on her own and refuses to do so now, so she will be with me till death do us part.

Right now I am working 3 nights a week, taking my mother in law to appoints 3-4 days a week, caring for my son, and being a wife. I do not do daycare so I am sleep deprived. And do to my mother in laws health she can not watch my son or help around the house at this time.

So see if I don't get a vacation to WDW I will need a straight jacket and a padded room very soon.

Up next our plans start to take shape.
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Old 06-08-2008, 06:24 AM   #2
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Niki:

to you and your family.

I probably speak for all us passporter peeps when I say

I so happy that your family is going on this vacation and I can't wait to read more about it.

Have a great day!!

Kim
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Old 06-08-2008, 07:05 AM   #3
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Niki - If ever anyone needed a vacation...it's YOU!
I've done the night shift before and that alone can wear you down, add all the other stresses you have going on...I think I'd already be in that straight jacket
that all goes well with your planning and I can't wait to hear more details!

(I grew up in Ohio (Canton) so )
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Old 06-08-2008, 08:12 AM   #4
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Wow, do you deserve this vacation Great start Niki!! More please
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Old 06-08-2008, 08:58 AM   #5
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You definitely need this vacation. Lots of and to you.
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Old 06-08-2008, 09:19 AM   #6
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I'm so happy that all of you will be going on vacation - you're going to have a wonderful time and I can't wait to hear all about it!
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Old 06-08-2008, 10:30 AM   #7
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WOW! It really is vacation time for you!!

for you and all your family.
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Old 06-08-2008, 10:48 AM   #8
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Sounds like the Disney Magic is the exact medicine you need. Congrats on adopting your baby boy!
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Old 06-08-2008, 11:25 AM   #9
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I hope that vacation gets here really fast.
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:14 PM   #10
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wow you really do need some disney magic, if anyone is deserving of it, definilty is you and your family
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:24 PM   #11
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I hope you have a magical vacation, you deserve it!!

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Old 06-08-2008, 01:37 PM   #12
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I hope this trip helps heal you and your family and that you can relax and enjoy the Disney magic.
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:43 PM   #13
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Glad you are getting a break...enjoy your vacation...you deserve it! for all you've been through!
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Old 06-08-2008, 03:21 PM   #14
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Have a wonderful magical time.........you deserve it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 06-08-2008, 08:33 PM   #15
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You definitely deserve this trip. I can only imagine what the last year has been like for you. Thank you for sharing it with us and I can't wait to hear about the magic that was bestowed on you during YOUR VACATION!
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