Disney Day 6

Note: This was written before I was in the Hospital.


Day 6 was our last day in Disney. The kids woke up to a surprise.  St. Nickolas paid them a visit during the night (St Nickolas Day is Dec,6th).  Except, Zachary shoe was missed and Michael shoe had things that Zach would have wanted ooooooops.   We spent the morning challenged by trying to pack all of the kids souvenirs in our luggage without going over the weight limit. Michael took the kids to play video games while Sally and I were left scratching our heads trying to decide what items we should leave behind to make room.  


After we cleared out the rooms, we headed to Down Town Disney.  By this time I was in a lot of pain and was feeling lousy.  Sally's feet were so swollen her shoes no longer fit and she had to wear sandals or was it slippers. Or maybe they were her bare feet formed to look like foot Decor. Kaity still had gift cards to use.  After a couple of stores, I could no longer bare walking around. Zach and I found a place to sit right off the lake.  We sat there and talked.  It was very enjoyable.  Just the two of us and all of Zachary's brain stumping questions.  Michael went off to do his own thing and Sally and Kaity went shopping.Finally Michael showed up and I got a little break. At that point my head was smoking and not because of the weather.  We than met up and ate at Wolfgang Puck Express.  Of course I ordered spaghetti.  It was the only time during the entire vacation I ordered it.  Sally and Michael each ordered a pizza and Zach ordered meat loaf.  The food was brought to the table.  My spaghetti looked good and it even tasted good.  But the pizza's even looked better.  They were paper thin and looked deliciousness.  Made me regret my decision for spaghetti.  Which is the first, because spaghetti trumps over pizza but not that day.  Zach's dish has finally arrived. It looked like something you would see out of a magazine. A magazine with really big and tall things.  It was a carefully plated plate of mashed potatoes, topped with a slice of meat loaf that was about 4" thick wrapped in bacon and had thin fried onions on top of it, with barbecue sauce swirled on the plate.  It looked very intriguing.  Zach took a couple of bites and said he was full, no doubt.  What a waste of a master piece I was thinking.  Sally and Michael didn't finish their food either.  In front of me sat all of this uneaten visual appealing food.  In my former days I would have gave it my all to not let go to waste.  Unfortunately, I hurt to bad to eat and didn't even make a dent in my spaghetti either.I left to Disney weighing 210 lbs came home at about 200. Not very good news,but hope it will improve soon.

The flight home was better then the flight there. The boys seemed to handle it better.  Michael only grabbed my hand a couple of times.  Towards the end Kaity started to get upset because her ears were hurting but she wasn't loud.  We were all sad to leave Disney but was glad to be back home.  


It's been two weeks since we have been home.  Zach and Kaity are still talking about the vacation.  They even asked me today if we will be able to go back.  I am so thankful we were able to go and that I was well enough to enjoy.  The recent postings were never intended to be that far apart.  After we got back, the pain had become worse.  Even with all the pain medication I was taking, there wasn't much relief.  Last week I had chemo and an appointment with the oncologist.  My doctor wanted me to go in for a scan to see what is going on. I asked if I could wait until after the New Year.  I want my family and I to enjoy our holidays.  If it is going to be bad news, I didn't want that to be the focus for everyone.  In the mean time some of my pain medications have been adjusted and some new ones have been added.  As of now, I am feeling much better. I still have pain but I am still functionable with it. The past couple of days I have been eating more as well.  I have lost over 30 pounds since October, so I am glad to be able to and wanting to eat.  


There is so much more I need to say.  I am going to wait for another day though.  
God Bless,
Bill

Disney Day 4

By day 4, the tow started to show.  Sally was then complaining about her feet, Michael was tired, Zach lagged 50 ft behind us, and I started to hurt really bad but tried to act like I was fine.  I had to snicker to myself when I would see my family.  Here I am the one sick with cancer and I look like I was doing much better then they were.  


Sally was on the mission to take the little ones to see what they missed out on at Epcot.  Even though I thought she was crazy, I understood.  This was their first time at Disney and most likely their only time until they are an adult.  Sally wanted to make sure they experience everything they could while they were there.  Exhausting and as crazy it may have been, I wasn't going to fight her on that.  She woke up bright and early to take the little ones.  She told Michael and me to sleep in and meet them later.  Of course, I wanted to be with them and I pushed myself to go.  Michael, decided to sleep in and caught up with us later.  


We were able to see the attractions that were missed.  Thanks to the guest assistance card, we were able to bi-pass all the long lines which saved us a lot of time.  Of course we had to see "Turtle, A Talk With Crush".  I must say I enjoyed it.  After Crush talked about his life, he started to ask the young audience members questions.  Kaity was the first one he addressed.  He asked her, her name.  She answered really shyly "Kaaaaity".He then said "Hi, Kaaaity" really shyly.  The audience laughed.  Then he asked Zach the same and Zach replied shyly as well. So Crushed said "Hi Zachary" really shyly.  The audience laughed which embarrassed Zach.  When Crushed asked Zach where he was from, Zachary wouldn't answer him back.  


I enjoyed all the  parks but if I had to choose one that was my favorite, it would have to be Epcot. We stayed there until the afternoon and then we went to Hollywood Studios.  I forgot to mention while at Epcot I ran into a guy from work. Not once, but twice at two different parks.  I thought that the was kind of weird. 

Hollywood Studios was a very neat place to go. Zachary really enjoyed the Star Wars attractions and we all thought Indiana Jones was really cool.  Even though the park was open until midnight, we had to move quickly to see the live events because they closed earlier than the park did.  After we were finished, everyone was hungry.  Sally had canceled all the table side reservations to make it less hectic but we then realized it is almost impossible to get in anywhere without a reservation and still had full service meals left on our dining plan.  Sally suggested that Michael and I asked at a couple of places while Kaity and her were walking back to meet us from a show.  I left it to Michael to do the asking and he was told "No".  Sally met up with us and she took us to a place that looked crowded.  People were waiting to be seated.  I thought again, she must be crazy.  She walked in and talked with the manager.  She walked out and said we needed to go next door and ask them if they will seat us.  Michael decided he would ask and with out any hesitance they told Michael they were booked.  So Sally walked backed to the first place and then walked back with the manager and we were sitting down eating 5 minutes later.  The waiter that waited on us was very personable.  He talked to us and even tried to help us find reservations for the following day.  He said if you use some charm you can usually get what you want.  Apparently, my wife has more charm then my son does.  


We stayed there until right before closing.  I was so glad when we got back to our rooms.  I was in so much pain but at that point I was still able to hide it and was determined to wake up the next morning bright eyed and bushy tale.

I have to protect my head from the harsh sun rays. I know it's  night time. The harsh  sun  rays where  still harsh.

Every night we came back to a unique window display.  

Is that or is that not Sally behind Michael?

Am Going where.........

A couple of weeks ago Sally wrote a posting with the title "I Need A Vacation" http://bill46319.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-need-vacation.html.  The following evening Sally received a phone call from Tess, a travel agent.  She informs my wife a nameless friend is sending my family to Disney.  Can you believe that? I was at work and Sally left me a message to call A.S.A.P.  That it was an emergency but not a "real" emergency.  I was confused by what that meant(she usually leaves me confused so that was nothing new).  When I called back, I thought she was kidding, then I thought it was a prank, then I asked who did it, then I realized I was at work and I needed to get off the phone.  Plus, it was hard to hear Sally because Zachary and Kaity were in the back ground shouting "WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY" repeatedly.


After I had time to comprehend what just happened, I called Sally back.  I was very curious which "friend" would be so extremely generous. She called her mom and talked to Michael trying to pry information out of them and couldn't.  Made some calls to friends and again nothing.  I did the same and was left scratching my head.  In away Sally and I are both like little kids staring at a pile of Christmas gifts wondering in anticipation what they are.  We are in reverse though.  We are staring at all this great news in anticipation who is this "friend".   We decided it's kind of fun guessing and not knowing so we decided to stop questioning everyone.  


We will be going to Disney for 5 days and 4 nights.  I am the only on in the family that has been on a plane (which has been almost 30 years ago).  So flying itself will be an experience.  With all the new airline rules and us not knowing them it's going to be challenging to pack.  Not sure why I mentioned that because Sally will do the packing not me haha.  We will be going after Thanksgiving.  The kids are so excited.  Zachary is planning on what toys to bring.  Kaity has 3 bags pack already.  She keeps asking Sally if she is saving money for Swimming World, and wants to know if she can sleep in the Castle.


If per chance, my "friend" will read this, I would like to personally thank them.  This has been more then a generous gift that I will be forever grateful.  We have never been on a family vacation.  I always wanted to take my family to Disney but I was never able to.  Every year I always hope next year we will be the year.  After I was diagnosed with cancer and the medical bills started to mount up, I gave up on that dream. This summer has been a hard on me.  The last two months have been a living nightmare.  Not only for me but for my family as well.  The two little ones do not know what is going on but they can feel the dynamics in the house has changed.  They realize something is wrong and ask a lot of questions.  Sally and I are trying to keep them from worrying but they still do.  It's seems like lately there has been very little to look forward to.  My "friend" you have put a lot of happiness in our life and made our days much brighter.  We are dreaming again and looking forward to the future again.  Our days are brighter because of you.  I am very humbled someone would think so much of my family and myself to be doing this.  Saying Thank you seems inadequate.  My friend, I hope you will be blessed as much as I have been.  Thank You for making my dream come true.  Just give me your name and address and I will give you a special gift. I won't say a word,wink wink.  Thank you and God Bless, you really made this family feel special and humbled.