Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina
Life is short. Live it well.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
Hi Gina,
So nice to hear from you again! We are all wishing you and Steve a wonderful trip.
I know how adventuresome both of you are, so don't worry too much about a T2D diagnosis. My DS was diagnosed T1D at 16, and if there is one thing we have learned it is that we shouldn't view it as a limitation but rather as the opening of a door into all kinds of new opportunities. Please don't lament what is lost but rather look at it as an opening of a door into all kinds of new and tasty culinary opportunities.
DS now has a girlfriend who is a vegetarian and lactose intolerant (he is Celiac and T1D). You would think this is a challenge, but it is more of an adventure in finding things that can satisfy all of the requirements while maintaining our standard of tasty and memorable meals. Thank God that no one in our family has been diagnosed as allergic or sensitive to Hot Stuff, or we would be lost; capsaicin is the saving grace in our family since we all agree on heat as one of the great flavours. I know it won't work for you personally but I'm sure that you can still find something that both of you can zone in on that meets your happy spot gastronomically while meeting the needs for a "sensible diet".
I know you are now at about 3 weeks from departure. I hope you both have a healthy and restful getaway from stresses of life. A bit of downtime can go a long way toward regenerating your batteries and preparing you for another dose of real life.
Love to you both; take care of yourselves and enjoy the relief of another getaway to your happy place!
Foods that are celiac, diabetic, vegetarian AND lactose free?!?!? Good heavens, that doesn't leave much!!! And I thought I had just inherited a cooking challenge .
Thank you so much for the wonderful encouragement and good wishes. Last week was our first full week of eating well (and with all of Steve's restrictions), and you know......it wasn't as awful as I had feared. Even better, we're both feeling the initial (and very positive!) effects.....so its making the sacrifices feel worth it. Steve's blood glucose levels are down to 138 this morning (last week at this time, they were 258) so the medication and dietary changes are working. The internet has been a GREAT resource, too . We've found some some recipes that sound super tasty (thank you @Monykalyn .... we picked up all the ingredients for egg rolls in a bowl today at the grocery store!) and are doing our best to embrace this new challenge.
We are definitely getting excited to get back to Orlando. 15 days to go! I'm thankful we will have had 3 weeks to adjust our diet (and glean some knowledge) before we leave so we can make good dining choices while we're away. And if Steve continues to feel better and better as his blood glucose levels drop (he is already raving about how much more energy he has and more clear headed he feels) then he will definitely be in good shape for mogging around the parks all day .
Gina your life certainly never seems to slow down and throws you your fair share of punches along the way for sure. You both definitely deserve a wonderful holiday and a big Disboards hug.
The back of the house looks great and I bet the hot tub has been on overdrive! Hope Steve adjusts to his new diet and feels the benefits soon, it will be hard on holiday but you'll have to make him drive past that 'hot donuts' sign
Ah yes, Krispy Kreme will definitely be a no-no . Ditto to the butterbeer (if you haven't looked at how much sugar and how many carbs are in that drink, DON'T .... otherwise you'll never want to drink another cup). BUT, on a happy note....he is free to enjoy all the juicy steak he wants, which is *almost* as much of a treat in his book as hot donuts .
Thanks so much for the virtual hug . I have missed chatting with y'all over the last six weeks!!
I'm sorry to hear that y'all have been going through so much, particularly with Steve's diagnosis. Hopefully, he can get on a treatment regimen that will help him to feel much better. I know you will still have a wonderful trip, even if you have to forego doughnuts! We saw the Blue Man Group last month, and we really enjoyed it. It's all thanks to you and your tip on those cheap tickets. I have been thinking of you all and praying for peace and comfort. Your backyard looks amazing!
He is definitely feeling noticeably better than he was just one week ago. It's been a wonderful motivator for him to keep consistent with the changes (well, that and the fear that he might have a stroke or heart attack.....very real possibilities when his levels were so high). There are moments where I think he'd consider selling his soul for a bowl of ice cream but they are growing fewer as the days tick by. Good habits are definitely being formed....for him and for me.
I am so happy that you enjoyed Blue Man Group! I am excited for that new experience. It's been on our Universal "bucket list" for many years, and I can't believe we're finally going to scratch that entry off.
Hi Gina! I’m so sorry you all have been through so much lately. I agree with @bankr63 that Steve’s diagnosis may end up being less of a burden and more of a lifestyle change that leads to both a healthier and a happier future for you guys. And selfishly, I’m so glad to have you back on the DIS. I really missed your posts. I hope we can have another DISmeet soon!
Thanks Brian . You are so kind!
We definitely must plan to get together again when our travels to Orlando overlap. Any plans to head back in the fall for the Halloween events?
Wow, the renovations look great! Here's hoping I'll still be able to run into you whenever you're in FL
(you will love Sesame Street, just saying. It is adorable!)
Absolutely! We will be at SeaWorld on the Saturday afternoon/early evening (May 4th) and at MK on May 9th (from whenever they allow us in.....maybe around 6:30?.....until park closing if we can hang in until 1 am). I don't suppose you'll be working at MK on that Thursday evening, will you?
So excited to see Sesame Street!! I am just hoping we have a chance to meet one or two of the characters while we're there!
Grief is a very difficult and personal thing to have to swim through. Been there...still struggle with it - Especially when the death was so unexpected. I can relate on many levels of it. I'm sending many thoughts and prayers to both you and Steve and your family.
The renovations look amazing!!! Seeing your hot tub...makes me want another one. Our current home came with one, but sadly it died and we couldn't afford to replace it. All three kids learned to swim in it lol. And we still talk about our evenings spent in it.
I'm glad Steve found out about his condition now - instead of later down the road where more complications could happen. We have several diabetics in our family, and yes, it can be challenging at times, but I know many eating facilities cater more and more to dietary restrictions now than they ever have. I hope this new venture for you two is an easy one.
I can't wait to hear more of our trip...and if you don't get around to posting before your next trip...have a GREAT time!!!! Enjoy your time away and relax and just spend time with each other. Some Florida sun may be just what the Dr prescribed for you two!
Aw, thank you my friend. Big hugs to you as well . Grief is a rotten club to belong to, but you are correct that none of us are immune from those kinds of painful losses. Hopefully the arrival of spring brings nothing but joy for ALL of us here on this thread .
Here's a little funny about our hot tub that is worth a share. We used to have a solid steel door leading out to the old Florida room, which is now the stone patio with the gazebo (and where the hot tub is located). As part of the renovations, we purchased a new exterior door with a large 9 pane window which would allow us to see outside from our living and dining room. Now, every time we go out to sit and enjoy a peaceful soak in the hot tub, we have this little face peering at us with the saddest face you'll ever see.....
He paws at the window and cries for us until we come in.....we can see his little mouth moving . Oh, the guilt!!!
Gina, I was so thankful to find another trip report from you- I’ve missed being on disboards! Baby #5 keeps me hopping.
Your renovations look amazing! I’m incredibly impressed with your efficiency and hope you all enjoy the results.
I’m just catching up with your difficult news. Much love from Florida. My heart hurts for you both. When my husband’s parents died within 3 weeks of one another in 2014, we both experienced grief in the form of physical symptoms. After my grandmother (only 44 years older than me and like a second mom) died suddenly in 2015, I participated in a faith-based program called Griefshare that was very helpful for me.
I pray all the love from friends and family near and far carries you. Y’all are sunshine on the internet! Hugs
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts . I am so touched that you found time to post such a sweet message here for me, especially with your hands so full! You are so blessed to have such a large and happy family . How old is your littlest one now? Am I remembering correctly that she will be a year old this summer?
Great to see an update from you Gina! Your renovations look amazing, wow! Nice that you'll be able to really enjoy your yard & hot tub now. I'm sorry to hear about Steve's health, especially at a time when he's already dealing with the grief and stress of losing his dad. I'm sure making these big changes will be challenging but once he starts to feel the result of those changes, I hope it will be easier.
I just came back from a trip that included After Hours (at MK and Hollywood Studios). I absolutely loved it - so much fun to do all the rides with no real lines and the park was so enjoyable without the crowds. It lets you slow down and enjoy all the details - I'm sure you'll have a great time! Also, after reading about it in so many of your trip reports, we finally tried Sweet Tomatoes on this trip - it was great! Delicious, fresh & healthy (well, except for all the soft serve I had...but hey, it's vacation!)
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the Disney After Hours event.....it always seems like we tend to have very similar tastes when it comes to vacation experiences, so I very much value your feedback. It was most certainly a splurge at this late point in the planning, but I'm unbelievably excited about that little add-on. I ordered us some Disney shirts to wear and have dusted off my Mickey ears . Steve's hoping to get his sugar under control enough before we leave that he can enjoy at least one Mickey bar that night without too much guilt. I had hoped to snag a 7DMT Fastpass for the 7-10 pm time slot, but alas t'was not to be. I did, however, get FP's for Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and meeting Mickey and Minnie at Town Square.....so that's a pretty nifty start to the night all on its own.
Yay for Sweet Tomatoes success! Isn't it a great place? Every time we visit, I find myself wishing they had franchises here in Michigan!!