A tale of two Disneys

By Robin P.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

With excitement in our hearts, my husband, daughter and I headed to the airport about a month ago to begin our Disney adventure. Rich and I were going to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary there and this would be Lillianna's very first Disney trip. She had turned eight in October and was very anxious to see what Disney World was all about.

Our first three and a half days were wonderful. Watching Lillianna's face light up whenever she saw a Disney character was priceless. Rich stood in line with her, no matter how long, to have her autograph/scrapbook signed. I was in charge of taking the pictures to add to her book. We made a great team. I was so pleased that our vacation was just as I had dreamed it would be when I planned it.

On the fourth day,we headed to Chef Mickey's for a character breakfast. Lillianna could barely concentrate on eating as she watched Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Chip and Dale, Goofy and Pluto come around to each table for pictures. I loved seeing how fascinated she was with everything that was happening around her. It made me feel like a kid again, seeing it through her eyes.

After breakfast I felt kind of odd and asked Rich whether he'd mind if we sat down for a few minutes. We rested for 30 minutes and then I felt well enough to continue on to the Magic Kingdom. By 1 p.m., I was fairly convinced that I had food poisoning from our breakfast. I just didn't feel right. I had a sharp pain on the left side of my stomach. Still, I continued on.

By 3 p.m.,I told Rich I had to get back to the hotel. I felt like if I could just throw up, I'd be OK. We got back to the hotel at 4 p.m. and I got into bed. I stayed there until 9 a.m. the following morning. The pain had gotten worse. When I realized that I couldn't actually get off the bed, Rich called 911.

The ambulance came shortly thereafter and Lillianna was put in the back of the ambulance with me while Rich rode in the front. I couldn't see her because she was sitting behind me but I could feel her panic. The pain in my stomach was excruciating and I couldn't even comfort my frightened child. Thankfully, the EMTs were very kind. They took good care of both of us on the 15-minute drive to the hospital. Lillianna was given a stuffed dalmation with a fireman's hat in his mouth that had 911 written on it. It made her feel a bit better.

I was immediately taken to the Emergency Room. (No Disney fast pass was required for this ride.) After extensive questions and testing, the doctor told me I had pancreatitis. I had never heard of that before so he explained it was an inflammation of the pancreas. Then he asked how long I had been diabetic. I was stunned. I didn't have diabetes. What was this guy talking about? I had a physical the year before and I was perfectly healthy, or so I thought. Apparently, the pancreatitis caused me to have diabetes.

He told me I had to be admitted to the hospital and that the treatment for this would be to starve the pancreas. I was only allowed to have ice chips. I would be on an I.V. but I couldn't have any food at all. That was fine with me. I didn't feel like eating.

At 4 p.m., I told Rich and Lillianna to head back to the parks. They both said they wouldn't go without me and Lillianna started to cry and say she wasn't going to leave me. It broke my heart that I was making my daughter worry so much. I wanted to see the magical look in her eyes when she saw Belle, Mary Poppins and Snow White. Instead, I had a teary daughter standing at the foot of my bed looking tormented. She handed me her dalmation and told me that he would take care of me.

Reluctantly, they said goodbye and headed off to the Magic Kingdom. At that point, we had two more days left of vacation. I figured I'd spend the last day with them in the park. I was wrong. I ended up spending seven agonizing days in the hospital. Even with morphine in my IV, the pain was unbearable. Looking back, I have no idea how I survived it.

Before we left for our trip, I told Rich that when we came home, things had to change. I worked 37 hours between two jobs and I worked all weekend, every weekend. I still managed to be home for Lillianna during the week and take her to her activities, but I was stressed and exhausted. We never had family time and I felt like Rich and I were two ships that passed in the night. I wanted us to be a family and spend time together. I also wanted us to eat better so that we could be healthy for many years to come. Rich agreed that after the vacation, things would change. We didn't realize how true that was.

When we returned home, my doctor told me that my situation could've been worse and that I was very lucky. I could've had a heart attack or a stroke or died from the pancreatitis. He put me on a low fat/low sugar diet and I have to check my blood sugar twice a day. Hopefully, after I lose some weight and start exercising, I can control the diabetes with diet instead of medication.

I was forced to take two weeks off from work to rest and cut down my hours because they caused too much stress. Rich and I are both making changes so that we can have a healthier and more connected life together. That's all I ever wanted.

This vacation did not go as I had planned but I can't change what happened.The three of us had a life-altering experience and we realized how precious each day is. I still get a lump in my throat when I remember Lillianna's terrified little voice in the hospital asking Rich, "Is Mommy going to be alright?" There were moments when I wondered the same thing.

I am grateful that I was given a second chance to live my life in a better, healthier way. I always thought I had plenty of time to turn things around, but this stopped me in my tracks and made me realize that now is that time. So for me, this happy ending is a new beginning.

Robin P. lives with her husband and daughter in a suburb south of Boston.

Comments

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[Ruth]

I'm glad this part is all behind you! Lillianna is a pillar of strength for a wee one!

[Amanda]

Thank you so much for this post.

[Jo]

Those wake up calls are a real beotch aren't they girl? ;) Unfortunately I think that's the only way "they" seem to be able to get us to listen. I'm glad you're doing better now and thank you for sharing your story. Next time you do Disney though do NOT schedule Emergency Room on the itinerary. ;)

[LauriJon]

Robin, I'm so sorry to hear of your health problem. But relieved that you're okay. From everything you've written I can tell that Lillianna is a strong little girl. And I know that her love and your husband's will go a long way in helping you heal. Meanwhile, Maricella, Bill and I will be sending you our prayers. Be well.

[Imperfect Mommy]

Oh my goodness Robin! I am so happy that you are OK. Please take care of yourself. Life does have a way of making us wake up sometimes, doesn't it?