Day 1: Friday, June 16, 2006,
I watched Andy's kids from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Andy's kids went with us to get Lora's driver's license and to take Meadow to the doctor.
I did not walk today.
Day 2: Saturday, June 17, 2006
I washed my clothes at O'Bryan's for lunch, at Walmart, and at the dollar store.
At 5:30 P.M., we loaded Lora's car and headed for Orlando, Florida.
At 7:30 P.M., we were 10 miles outside of Birmingham.
I walked two miles today.
Day 3: Sunday, June 18, 2006
We arrived at the RMH in Orlando at 7:30 A.M. eastern time.
I drove from 1:30 P.M. until 7:00 A.M.
The Ronald McDonald House is at 2201 Alden Road, Orlando, FL 32803, 407-898-6127.
After Lora unloaded the car, Meadow, Lora, and I took a nap. Madison and Buckeye then went to the playroom to play.
We ate muffins for a snack and then took Meadow and Buckeye to the emergency room at Florida Hospital to see a doctor.
Meadow had to have several tests.
We ate supper at the hospital.
This was our first night at the RMH.
I did not walk today.
Day 4: Monday, June 19, 2006
Today is Meadows's first day of Physical Therapy at Ability Plus in Melbourne, so we had to get up at 6:30 A.M. to be at Meadows's appointment at 9:00 A.M.
We had to take the interstate, which was very busy at this time of morning. We also had to pass through three toll booths, which cost $2.50 a day.
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| MeadTherapying Therapy |
Ability Plus Therapy Inc. is located at 4450 West Eau Gallie Blvd, Suite 208, Melbourne, FL 32904, and can be reached at 321-255-6627.
Laura Joslin is the owner and a therapist.
We arrive at Ability Plus at 9 A.M., where Meadow has three hours of therapy.
Roberta Neves is Meadow's therapist. Roberta is very good with Meadoww, but Meadow does not like some of the therapy. Their motto is: EACH SMALL STEP IS A GIANT LEAP.
Roberta works with a rubber ball, horse, bungee cords, a suit, etc.
I walked around the strip mall, which was about 1/4 mile and took 5 to 7 minutes.
After eating lunch at Steak and Shake, we stopped to buy a cell phone car charger because the one in Mr. Beasley's van was broken, and we could not charge our cell phones.
The one that I bought could be used by both Sprint cell phones.
Meadow had therapy at Doctor Bradstreet's from (1:15 to 2:15).
Lora got into the soft chamber withMeadoww.
We went to Melbourne Beach after the therapy.
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| Melbourne Beach |
Lora, Madison, Marcus, Jr., and Meadow entered the Atlantic Ocean.
We stayed about an hour at the beach and then returned to the Ronald McDonald House.
We took a different route back to the RMB to avoid the toll roads.
This was our daily journey from Ronald McDonald House to Melbourne, Florida, for four weeks. The journey took one hour and five minutes.
1. west on East Princeton Street toward McRae Avenue.
2. Merge onto I-4 West via the ramp on the left.
3. Take the SR-408 Toll exit 82A
4. Take the East-West EXPY east exit
5. Merge onto FL-408 E/East-West EPXY (portions tolls)
6. Take the SR-417 Toll S exit 18b toward Int’L Airport
7. Merge onto FL-417 S/Central Florida Greenway (portions toll)
8. Take the SR-528 Toll E/bee Line exit 26 toward Cocoa/Kennedy
9. Merge onto Fl-528 E (portions toll)
10. Merge onto I-95 S. Via Exit 42 A toward Miami.
11. Take SR/518 Eau Gallie Blvd exit 183 toward Melbourne
12. Turn slightly left to take the ramp toward Melbourne
13. Turn left onto Fl-518 E /Eau Gallie Blvd W.
14. Ends at 4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd Melbourne, FL 32934
International Child Development Resource Center located at 1688 West Hibiscus Blvd Melbourne, FL 32901 321-953-0278.
This is the address whereMeadoww received Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for four weeks.
Day 5: Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Up again at 6:30 A.M. and on the interstate to Ability Plus; Meadow will be there from 9 to 12 P.M.
We ate lunch at Burger King.
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| MeadTherapying therapy at Ability Plus |
Today was my first day getting into the hyperbaric oxygen chamber with Meadoww. (1:15 to 2:15).
Madison was sick all night, throwing up, and she slept all day long
Meadow was ill on the way back to Ronald McDonald's house.
We had Hawaii food for supper at the Ronald McDonald house brought by a Dance Club.
No, I'm not seeing you today because Madison is sick.
Day 6: Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Meadow had three hours of therapeutic therapy with Roberta. (9:00 to 12:00)
Madison and I walked two rounds around the strip mall.
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| MeadTherapying therapy |
We ate lunch at Olive Garden.
We went to Andretti Park after Meadow finished with her hyperbaric oxygen therapy. (1:15 to 2:15)
Lora, Madison, and Buckeye rode the ducks, Lora and Buckeye rode the cars, they played some of the games and rode other rides.
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| Riding the ducks in Andretti Park |
It was a very hot day, so Meadow and I found shade and sat in it, watching Lora, Marcus, and Madison have fun.
The management had given us four tickets to play miniature golf.
Day 7: Thursday, June 22, 2006.
Meadow haTherapTherapyerapy at Ability Plus (9 to 12).
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| MeadTherapying therapy |
Madison and I walked two laps around the strip mall near Ability Plus.
We ordered a personal pizza from an Italian restaurant, which made my stomach sick.
Meadow had Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy at (1:15 to 2:15) with Dr. Bradstreet. After the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we rode to Dixie Stampede, where we enjoyed dinner and a show.
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| Picture of us with the Dixie Stampede in Orlando, Florida |
We arrived early, saw the horses, and took pictures.
The Dixie Stampede's manager gave us free tickets, which included dinner and a show.
We ate chicken, corn on the cob, rolls, soup, and apple turnover.
Madison and Marcus were picked to be on the show. They were on the Union side, where they had to go into the arena to chase chickens. After the show, they were given medallions.
After the show, we were taken inside the arena to have our picture taken with the crew members.
The picture was developed, and we were given a copy.
Lora was also mailed another picture and a book of Dolly Pardon's coat of many colors.
The crew was very friendly, and we talked to them while the arena was cleared of people.
The manager said he came from the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Our ticket number was section C3-93363.
Day 8: Friday, June 23, 2006
Meadow haTherapTherapyerapy at Ability Plus from (9 to 12 P.M.)
We ate lunch at Denny's, where I ordered a BLT.
Madison and I walked two laps today around the strip mall.
Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from (1:15 to 2:15) at Dr. Bradstreet's.
The management of Pinocchio Marionette Theater gave us tickets to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp today at 6:30 P.M.
Lyrics were by David Eaton at Pinocchio Marionette Theater.
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| Pinocchio Marionette Theater |
They are located at 525 Semoran Blvd. Winter Park 32792.
The telephone number there is 407-677-8831, and the web address is www.pinocchios.net.
We talked to the management, who said one of the puppeteers was from the Howdy Doody show. The kids bought souvenirs.
Day 9: Saturday, June 24, 2006
I walked from the Ronald McDonald House down Princeton Street to the Science Museum, along one of the lanes behind the Art Museum, and back up Princeton Street.
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| RMH in Orlando, Fl |
I stopped in front of the Mennello Museum of American Art, where I saw the oldest tree in Central Florida, over 300 years old.
I walked back up Princeton Street to the Ronald McDonald house in front of the Science Museum.
Loch Haven Park is nestled between three lakes and is home to several arts and sciences museums.
It is a 45-acre cultural park. Other attractions include the Museum of Art, the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Orlando Repertory Theater, the Orlando UCF Shakespeare Festival, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orland's Science Museum.
The Ronald McDonald House staff gave us tickets for Orlando's Science Museum.
Later that morning, we went to Orlando's Science Museum.
Lora had forgotten something of Meadows and had to return to the van.
It was a good day for indoor activities because it was raining outside, so we went to the science museum.
Marcus and Madison had their faces painted, and we all got a free ice cream.
We watched the Wild Safari, Star Quest, and Greece IMAX movies on the CineDome.
There were six levels, and the observatory with a height-powered telescope was at the top.
We looked through the telescope, but it was very cloudy, and we could not see the stars. However, we could see the top of the city, and in the distance, we saw a bird.
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| Science Museum at the observatory |
In the exhibit halls, we saw dinosaurs (DinoDigs), the human body (Body Zone), turtles, and snakes (Nature Works). There was also an under-road city sewer system, orange groves, and a kids' play area (Kids Town, electricity [Science City]).
We saw TechWorks, showbiz Science, Cosmic Tourist Earth and Beyond, wired Science, serious Science with a twist, etc.
This is a wonderful place, and I recommend buying yearly tickets if you live in or around Orlando, Florida.
The museum has a large café that seats 200 people. We each ordered chicken fingers and a drink.
Day 10: Sunday, June 25, 2006
Today, we are going to Gator Land, and their hours are from 9 to 5 P.M.
The web address is: www.gatorland.com
They are located at Gatorland 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837, and their telephone number is 407-855-5496.
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| Gator Land |
We received 20% off for two adults and free Madison, Marcus, and Meadow tickets.
We saw three shows: the Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestling, and Up-close Encounters.
We visited Alligator Island, Snakes of Florida, and Breeding March. We took the train ride, took the swamp walk, visited Allie's barnyard, saw Flamingo Lagoon, and at the gift shop, Lora bought Marcus a Gator t-shirt.
At about 5 P.M., it started raining hard for about an hour. People were rushing to get dry, and Madison got stuck in the crowd and was pulled away from us.
Lora went to look for Madison while Meadow and Marcus stayed with me.
The floodwaters started to rise, and I decided we would run for the gift shop.
We ate supper at Ronald McDonald House.
Day 11: Monday, June 26, 2006
Meadows's second week of therapy at Ability Plus Therapy. (8:45-12:00)
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| MeadTherapying therapy |
We had lunch at Smokey Bones Restaurant.
During the week of (26-30), Meadow had to have two treatments a day, so Lora and I both went into the Oxygen Chamber twice a day.
Lora had an ear infection, so Dr. Bradstreet gave her some ear medicine and told her not to get into the chamber for a few days, which meant I would get there with Meadoww.
We went to the movie theater at Winter Park to see Monster House, but the theater was packed.
Marcus was distraught that we could not go see the movie.
We went back to Ronald McDonald's house and ate supper.
Day 12: Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Meadow haTherapTherapyerapy from (8:45 to 12:00) today.
Madison and I walked three laps around the strip mall.
Meadow has hyperbaric oxygen therapy from (1:45 to 2:45) today.
We had lunch at Road House Grill.
We drove to Downtown Disney and ate supper at McDonald's in Downtown Disney.
Address: Walt Disney World ® Resort - Orlando, Florida 32830
Phone Number is 407-828-3056
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| Downtown Disney |
If you like to shop and want the kids to have fun at little to no cost, then take them to Downtown Disney.
They have a waterspout where the kids can get wet, a McDonald's where they can eat, a store where they can make their own potato head, many shops for shopping, candy stores, a movie theater, and more.
We went twice, and I bought two T-shirts at the Rainforest Café. Lora bought Madison two T-shirts and shorts. She bought Marcus a T-shirt and a hat. She bought Meadoww a bib and a T-shirt for herself.
Day 13: Wednesday, June 28, 2006
MeadowTherapyerapTherapyerapy (8:45 to 12:00) We ate lunch at Subway, and Meadow had another hour of hyperbaric oxygen therapy from (1:45 to 2:45).
I walked two laps today.
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| Downey Splash Park |
We stopped at Downey Splash Park for the kids to cool off. They played in the water spraying from the ground, and buckets fell on their heads.
We walked down to the sandy beach so the kids could play in the sand.
Downey Park is at 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, Al Orange Parks and Recreations.
We ate supper at Ronald McDonald House.
Day 14: Thursday, June 29, 2006
Meadow physical therapy (8:45 to 12) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (1:15 to 2:15 and 6:30 to 7:30)
I walked two laps today.
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| This is the seat that Lora brings home forMeadoww |
We ate at Aloha Eatery in Melbourne and had Mahai, pasta, and coke.
We went to Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida.
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| Madison lets a butterfly land on her arm. |
The Swallowtail Festival was going on, and we saw many different butterflies. The address is Brevard Zoo, 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940, 407-254-3002.
All I remember about the zoo was that it was hot and smelly. We saw several different animals, and after about an hour, Meadoww and I went to the gift shop to cool off.
We had grilled chicken salad for supper at the Ronald McDonald house.
Day 15: Friday, June 30, 2006
Meadow therapy from (8:45 to 12) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from (1:15 to 2:15 and 4:45 to 5:45). I walked four laps today, and we ate hotdogs for lunch at Aloha Eatery.
Marcus was being ugly today.
We rode back to the RMH and went to bed early.
Day 16: Saturday, July 1, 2006
Meadow and I walked down to the Art Museum and back.
We all visited the art museum to see the "The Art of the Motorcycle." Based on the landmark Guggenheim Museum exhibition, it explores the motorcycle as both a cultural icon and a design achievement. It offers a thought-provoking challenge to conventional assumptions about art and popular culture in the modern age.
The exhibition will run from January 22 to July 23, 2006, and will feature over 70 historic and contemporary motorcycles.
Madison and Marcus did arts and crafts from (9 to 12), and then we rode down to Coco Beach.
Today is the Space Shuttle's launch, and we rode down to Cocoa Beach to see it launch.
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| Coco Beach is waiting for the shuttle to launch. |
Lora parked the car along the Banana Riverbank. While we waited for the spaceship to launch, the kids got in the water, where we saw some rays.
We met a family from Ireland who wanted to take a picture of the license plate on our van.
We waited over two hours, and the weather canceled the launch.
So we returned to our van and rode into Coco Beach, stopping at Ron John's Surf Shop.
We ate lunch at Red Lobster.
Day 17: Sunday, July 2, 2006
Madison, Meadow, and I walked in Loch Haven Park for about one mile, where we saw three men sailing their boats in the lake.
We ate breakfast and lunch at Ronald McDonald's house.
We went to Winter Park for a scenic boat ride, but it rained out.
Later that day, we went to Winter Park, where Madison and Marcus did some pottery painting at the Pottery Barn.
We left the Pottery Barn, walked to the Regency Theater, and bought tickets to see Cars.
After the movie was over, we rode to City Walk Universal Studios.
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| City Walk at Universal Studios Orlando, Fl |
Lora bought Madison and Marcus each a red T-shirt with writing that said, "Thing One" and "Thing Two."
We wanted to eat dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaretville but would have to wait an hour and a half.
We walked around looking inside many of the shops, then rode back to the RMH.
Day 18: Monday, July 3, 2006
This is the third week of therapy.
Meadow has two sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy today, one from (8:45 to 12:00) and one (from 1:45 to 2:45).
I walked three laps today around the strip mall.
Lora got into the oxygen chamber withMeadoww.
After Meadow's therapy, we rode to downtown Disney and ate dinner at the Rainforest Café.
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| Downtown Disney |
The kids got wet in the spraying fountains before we left Downtown Disney.
Day 19: Tuesday, July 4, 2006
There was no therapy today, as it was a holiday—the 4th of July—so we rode to the Magic Kingdom, where we spent the entire day. I purchased two tickets with unlimited dates and gave one to Lora. She bought Madison and Marcus a one-day ticket, and Meadoww got in free.
We watched the Hall of Presidents, went into the Haunted Mansion, rode through the Small World, took a flight with Peter Pan, and rode with the Mad Hatter in her teacups.
We rode the Guffy's Barnstormer and the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster.
We saw Snow White's Scary Adventure, rode with Stitch on the Great Escape, and took the Astor Obiter transit.
We rode Buzz Light Year Storm Commander and saw Cinderella's Spectra Magic.
We watched the grand fireworks show and ate turkey legs at Pinocchio eatery.
We went to Mickey's House and rode down the speedway.
To end the day, we watch the Magical Mickey Parade.
We left the park at about 11 P.M. Lora and the older kids walked ahead, and I was pushing Meadoww in her stroller while the crowd kept pushing us back. We finally reached the waiting area for the buses. Lora and the kids got onto the bus, and I was left behind to fold the stroller and load it onto the bus. However, my thumb got caught in the stroller's handle while folding it down.
I could not release the latch, so Lora had to get off the bus and release the latch so I could get my thumb out, and it was bleeding. Someone on the bus gave me a brandade, and the bus left the waiting area, and we were taken to our van.
We loaded into the van, and Lora drove us back to the RMH.
Day 20: Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Meadow haTherapycal therapy from 8:45 until 12:00 and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 12:30 until 1:30 P.M.
I walked four laps today around the mall.
We ate lunch at Aloha Eatery and supper at Ronald McDonald House.
Day 21: Thursday, July 6, 2006
Meadow had therapy from 8:45 until 12 and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 3:15 until 4:15.
We went to Walmart, where we bought some chicken and found a park where we had a picnic lunch.
I walked three laps around the mall today.
In between Meadows appointments, we went to Melbourne Greyhound Park to watch the Greyhound race. The kids got to pet one of the greyhounds wearing an overlap that read, "Adopt Me." There were rows and rows of empty seats when we were there.
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| Grey Hound Dog Track |
Day 22: Friday. July 7, 2006
Meadow had therapy from 8:45 until 12:00 and her hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:15 until 3:15.
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| Meadow's nurses at Dr. Bradstreet's |
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| MeadTherapying therapy |
I walked four laps around the mall. We ate hot dogs at the Aloha Eatery.
This was Meadow's last day at Ability Plus.
They give Meadoww an achievement card and a special seat to take home for her to use. They also give Madison and Marcus a toy for being good.
Day 23: Saturday, July 8, 2006
We went to SeaWorld from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M., where we ate lunch at Sharks Under Water Grill. We watched several water shows, took a helicopter simulator ride, and saw polar bears, walruses, and manatees.
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| Sea World |
We ended the day by watching Shamu, the killer whale, perform.
Day 24: Sunday, July 9, 2006
Today, we walked around Loch Haven Park near the RMH. We then rode to Winter Park and took the Scenic Boat Ride. After the ride, we went to Regal Theater in Winter Park and watched Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead's Chest.
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| Scenic Boat Ride where I had taken off my hat to keepMeadoww from getting too much sun |
Day 25: Monday, July 10, 2006
Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 11:00 until 12:00 P.M. and no walk from 2:45 until 3:45 today. We went shopping at the mall, and I bought Jake and my husband some shorts, Montana and Nevada, and Sierra a shirt. We ate breakfast at Ronald McDonald House.
Day 26: Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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| Monster Truck Ride |
Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:45 until 3:45, during which time we went on an airboat ride at Boggy Creek and a monster truck safari ride.
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| Boggy Creek Airboat Ride |
I walked twenty minutes today.
Day 27: Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Meadow has hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:25 until 3:15 P.M. I walked for twenty minutes in Loch Haven Park. We ate supper at the Ronald McDonald House; the food was from the Hard Rock Hotel.
Day 28: Thursday, July 13, 2006
Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 12:15 until 2:45 P.M. We went to Coco Beach, where
Lora and the kids got into the water, and I watched.
Day 29: Friday, July 14, 2006
Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 9:45 until 12:15.
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| Me inside the chamber withMeadoww before the door is closed |
We left for home at 2 P.M.
We stop at Taco Bell on the way home for dinner.
Meadow ate some food from Taco Bell. She had a reaction where she turned red all over.
Day 30: Saturday, July 15, 2006
Saturday, we arrived home.
Ability Plus Therapy
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