CHERUBS 2009 International CDH Conference

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Ok, everyone, let's get those votes in by next Saturday (1/10)!!!! :)

[FernandaArce]

Done, I voted July 23-25 because that way Ana will be on summer break, here we start summer break in mid july.

[KimberlySwitzer]

Im going to check with my parents, and see when is best for them to watch haylee. As for location, Im good with whatever is easier, if Mel helping out would make the planning easier than Corpus Christi would make the most sense, but it doesn't matter at all to me!

[KateC]

Location does not much matter to me either, but I just picked the 16-18 but if I had a second choise it would be the 23-25

[KimberlySwitzer]

I chose the 16-18 too because it would work best, but I will work around whatever dates are chosen!!

[StephanieOlivarez]

Whatever works for the majority--will work for us!!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

We also need an estimate of how many are attending. If you are planning on going, please let me know how many you will be attending with! :)

I'm expecting over 100 people will be there, maybe 150! :)

[PennyCampsey]

:( we cant make it

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Depending on the date that is decided, my family of 5 will be attending if happends to work with my husband's schedule. (2 Adults, 3 kids)

[FernandaArce]

Depends, maybe we'll be 3 adults and 2 kids: Ernesto, my mom and myself and Ana and Juanpa.

Penny... BUAAAAAAAAAA! I so wanted to meet you! :(

[mariluornelas]

I choose July the latest, so my Juan will be big enogh (hoping and praying ) for the traveling...nothing sure yet...I depends on him. ;)

[Corin Nava]

Nate won't be coming this year, but I am making a huge effort to get there! I'm not sure if I will be bringing Ayla...

July definitely works better for me, but I will try my hardest to get there no matter what!

[KateC]

Me, Steve and my younger sister, the twins also, but they are too young for anything really.

BOOO PENNY!!! You better let me know when you go see the in laws this summer!!!!!!

[JenniferBrown]

July works for me Its probably me and Adrian going. I have to do the test to see if Adrian can fly. Im looking forward meeting you guys.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Penny, you can't let Cole miss out on being a TX cowboy! :) <<<< shameless ploy to bribe you into attending. ;)

[Donna Easley]

Not positive, but I think the hubby and I might try to make it.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Donna, please do attend! Would love to see you!

[KimberlySwitzer]

IM pretty sure its just going to be me coming, haylee will be going to her dads unless things change.

[KarlaHolt]

I'll be there with my husband (Dave) and Brooke and Braden! Can't wait!

[Corin Nava]

Penny- I soooo want to see you again!!!!! :(

Jen- we will definitely have to hook up and book our flights together!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Log and I are going to try (Maybe Kev too) but it will depend on what the dates are...as it stands now with the June date winning we will not be able to make that one. 8-)

[Corin Nava]

COME ON JULY!!!!!!

[AmyMiles]

Hmm I'm due July 4th...if its July 23-25

do you think thats too soon post partum to travel??

[Corin Nava]

I have a question :D
Not to make things more complicated....... but shouldn't the date and city be voted on in 2 separate votes. b/c if 5 people vote for corpus christi on July 23rd and 5 for san antonio on July 23rd; but 6 people vote for corpus christi on June 25th and 0 for San Antonio on June 25th, than June 25th will end up being the winning date even though it only got 6 votes and 10 people wanted July 23rd. Does that make sense?

[mariluornelas]

jajaja I am havinng fun with this post :))
Amy, I am surprised on how time flyes.......

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I had to read that 3 times before I understood it, Corin! LOL. I see your point.... not sure how to handle that. What does everyone think? Suggestions?

[karahess]

I'm kind of under the impression that people are more interested in WHEN the conference is vs. which city in Texas.

[StephanieOlivarez]

I will be coming....with Shelby for sure.
Need to get the dates to see about the rest of the Olivarez Clan.
If Barb and Log can come--I am thinking we will drive together.

[JenniferBrown]

Corin lol...... but yes we definitely got to get together and talk about booking the fly. I vote July and Corpus Christi, TX.
Mel have you visit Selena's museum.

[Donna Easley]

Dawn,
I would love to see you too. I'll do my best to see what I can arrange.

[Damon andSharonknott]

Donna, You have to go... I have to hear all the stories about you and Mel meeting in person :)
xx

[PennyCampsey]

i know !! i so want to attend .....
I'll pull out all stops to see if we can, twist scott's arm ..
beg ....
I REALLY REALLY WANT TO !

[PennyCampsey]

So many different people are coming that didnt come to NC .. i want to meet ........
how far away is san antonio from corpus chrisiti
i know scott loves c.chrisiti so if i had a vote that's the city

[KateC]

WHOOOOAAAA CORIN . . . I understood what you were saying, then I read the rest and was like"oh my, hope this is not a math problem" LOL

I agree with what Corin is saying though :)

Amy, as much as I CANNOT WAIT to see you :) I don't think you will be up to traveling. I felt like poop for a good month and a half. It may be different with one ;) I don't know know if you will be able to leave our bubba so soon!

[PennyCampsey]

What is the best place to look for flights ?? (CHEAPEST)
Dawn "IF" ..... Me and Cole went, we could fly out of RDU together LOL!

[PennyCampsey]

kate we might come up in March . if so I WILL SEE YOU !! and snuggle those girls !!!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Definitely we have to fly out together, Penny! You can just drive to my house and we'll carpool to the airport. I haven't checked on plane tickets yet, was waiting until we decided on when and where.

I don't know if Craig and the boys are going, depends on his job. I really want to take the boys too, they've never been to Texas. I'm ok with either location and any of those times.

[PennyCampsey]

I'll definitely see what I can workout, I AM working NOW and saving some $$$ .. i doubt scott can go.
Nice to have you with me Dawn !!! and they boys .. it would be a hoot!
ok so maybe me and cole we'll just have to play it by ear ..
TARA .. where are you !! i

[KateC]

YEA!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE THE GIRLS PENNY!!

I am going to check out some flights I think ~ I am undecided on flying or driving.

[MelissaKelly]

Heh, Selena. No I have not, it's not my thing. There's murals to her all over town (including one in a Blockbuster of all places) and a statue of her on the waterfront.

[MelissaKelly]

Sorry for the double post...SA is about two hours drive from Corpus Christi, Penny.

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Kara and Corin are probably right, more people are probably more interested in WHEN the conference will be rather than in which city.

[DanielleKessner]

I haven't voted yet - still trying to decide which city but we are keen for the last dates (July).

Not sure if you need another vote based on the fact that the majority are saying that last choice of dates and also the majority are saying SA. Could change in the next couple of days though??? Corin is right with what she is saying but I am not sure it will matter with the way the votes have gone anyway???

I will vote tomorrow - we will have decide on which city to vote for tonight!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I think most are just googling the cities to see what's there.

Penny, I think Tara is in the Holy Land right now on a personal trip so she's not on-line but will be back soon. :) Everyone say prayers for her safety please!

It would be great to take all 3 of our boys together, Penny.... I know Braden and Garret would adopt Cole as their little brother in a heartbeat he's so darn cute!

Question....

Who absolutely cannot go in June? Who cannot go in July? Can any of you juggle your schedules? I hate to see anyone miss out!

[karahess]

My situation is too confusing to explain sanely.

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

I know that I can NOT go in June. That weekend is our annual adult only canoe trip which I set up. I can not change the date as the reservations are already made, date set and with 26-40 people it is hard to get a date! LOL

As for WHERE it is ......I did vote SA for a few reasons....the first being that the flights I have been looking at are 1/2 the price to SA than CC for me (SA $237 CC $484)........There seems to be more to do in SA....and also Shane will be in basic training and is SUPPOSE to be in SA at that time which would work great if the conference is at the end of July as his b-day is the 26th. 8-)

[KarlaHolt]

ME TOO BARB! $158 to San Antonio and over $400 to Corpus Christi. I don't care about the dates but it would certainly would be more economical for us to go to San Antonio.

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

That is an AWESOME price Karla!! yes we have to do this cheaply! LOL Just think....we will still have to add in the hotel! yikes! LOL

[KarlaHolt]

I know...if I knew the dates I would have bought the tickets! It was probably at a ridiculously early time!

[Corin Nava]

OK I just checked out the prices for the different airports: It is twice as much to fly into Corpus Christi than San Antonio! It would be $235 for San Antonio and $475 for Corpus Christi!!!! Thats crazy!!! I am definitely voting for San Antonio!!!!

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Barb and Karla, what website are you looking at booking tickets? Just using expedia, depending on where we fly out of San Antonio would be $265-376 a person and Corpus Christi would be $367-522 a person. Driving for us looks like a 20 hour drive from Map Quest, but I haven't figured it out yet by looking at a map (sometimes Map Quest is not accurate). Lots of decisions to be made, but I would be interested to know what booking sites you guys use?

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Tracy,

I was using Travelocity. Both are 26-30 hr drives. LOL Mapquest says 24 hr.....couple of hrs off!

I just looked at Expedia and they are almost double the price of travelocity. i never knew there would be the much of a difference!

[KarlaHolt]

I used travelocity and I like cheap tickets too. Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly so I'm going to be there early!

[LynneB]

I am going to BEG Jeff to let Baer and I come this summer even if it is just the two of us. Does anyone know if we have to purchase a ticket for a 18 month old?

[karahess]

Under 2 are free to fly if you hold them on your lap. If they are under 2 and you want them in a seat then you pay.

[KarlaHolt]

I am not buying a ticket for braden

[karahess]

I never bought a ticket either. I did buy Baby B'Air. It's a harness that goes around a toddler and attaches to your lapbelt so the child is more secure on your lap.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=323&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85218&subCategoryId=86218

[PennyCampsey]

I got my TEXAS tourbook thing ....
I dont care where it is, I am more apt to go just cole and myself if the tickets are cheap
we all need to rent a van when we get there and ride around together
what do you do for car seats when we get there
no way in heck can i carry this seat on the plane

[Corin Nava]

Rental car companies usually have car seats you can rent. I was just looking at some of the airlines rules for carry on and such for children and on some airlines you can bring a car seat in addition to your luggage for no extra charge.

[JenniferBrown]

That sounds good Corin I need a car seat. The tickets that you check were from TF green or Boston.

[Corin Nava]

TF Green, I'd prefer to fly out of there if we can instead of going to boston

[Corin Nava]

I just checked out Boston and it's only $5 cheaper to fly out of there

[KarlaHolt]

I am hoping to get a car seat with the car rental. I am not lugging car seats for two kids!

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Thanks -- travelocity is cheaper! Once the dates are selected, then I will have to track down the best deal or make the decision to drive.

[JenniferBrown]

Hey Corin
TF Green would be better, how may days are you planning to stay.

[Corin Nava]

I'm not sure.... it depends on what weekend is chosen. Do you know how many days you want to stay?

[JenniferBrown]

Im thinking from Wed to Sun not sure, when we have the dates we can talk about it.
I will call you this weekend to see where we going to meet can't wait.

[Corin Nava]

It's cheaper to fly during the week, so I will probably fly out on monday.

sounds good! Ayla is still sick :( We will have to make plans for next week sometime...

[JenniferBrown]

Poor Ayla hope she feels better soon. Just call me whenever she feels better. That's fine with me flying back Monday what ever is cheaper works for me.

[LynneB]

Well if you and Cole go Penny and it is just Baer and I, maybe we can share a room if it is cheaper. Thanks Kara! Guess I better start saving and teaching some more CPR classes!

[DanielleKessner]

I plan on attending with my husband Julian. But like I have said before, until I am actually on that plane heading out of Australia I won't really believe it! But things are looking good so far :-)

[PennyCampsey]

SURE thing LYNNE !!!! sounds good !

[Donna Easley]

I flew to Tx this past summer with Walker and they do allow you to carry on a car seat. I took a booster which made things a little easier. The airline going allowed him to sit on it, but coming home they would not allow it and we had to store the car seat overhead. Just some things to think about.

[FernandaArce]

I don't mind the city, I prefer San Antonio because I have family there. The date is definitely july the latest.

[StephanieOlivarez]

So many people are going to be at the conference this year!!
How exciting.

I think we are all waiting on the exact location and date. Then either flight or driving arrangements can be made.

When is the date for voting over??

[DanielleKessner]

The 10th it finishes. So in Australia it is all over, lol. I am guessing at some stage in the next day or two Dawn will be able to confirm dates and maybe city? It will be a real International Conference with Australia, Canada and Mexico all represented. Can't wait!!!

Oh Dawn, I am not 100% sure if Julian will attend all of the Conference. He will come to the social side of things but when we do the personal and maybe even the medical he may leave. He has never come to an Australian forum - just too hard emotionally. So I am telling him just see what you feel like and if you need to take off for walk or whatever that will be fine. Hope that is OK???

[KateC]

Steve may join him, thinkgs are still tough on him, too . . . I am hoping this may open him up a bit more... I am SUPER excited to meet you Danielle!!

I checked out flights and it is 540 for Steve, my sister and I to fly. Plus there was no nonstop flights, that I found, all had layovers. It is a 24 hour trip. The cost of gas there and down is around 280, excluding gas used to get around down there. Maybe 120 for a hotel on the way there and back. So we are thinking it may actually be cheaper to drive. Thinking about what I would have to take on a plane with me, plus the cost a car rental, augh, it may not be worth the hassle. My stroller is the friggin size of a cadillac - I swear you need a CDL to use it!!

[DanielleKessner]

lol re: stroller. The joys of twins :-) Can't wait to meet you Steve and the girls either Kate. As well as all the other members! I was wondering the same about Jul - if it would help him open up at all. Anytime he does he just gets so upset and he hates that so closes down again. It's almost 17 years but I don't think he will ever really deal with it :-(

So it is the 10th Jan over there now. Has the voting closed Dawn? Have you made any definite decisions? I am guess the date will stick but I know you still had concerns about location and members who could help organise.

[KimberlySwitzer]

I will definately be coming alone, flights are around $870 at the cheapest that I can find. Driving is 34+ hours, so I dont know what would be cheaper, let alone me driving in the states and getting lost...

[FernandaArce]

I just talked to Ernesto and maybe I am comming alone, not yet decided but it's a lot of money to pay 4 plane tickets plus hotel, meals and all. I'll let u know as soon as we fugure it out.

But I AM going, alone or with company, I am there!

[KarlaHolt]

I'm excited that so many are planning for the conference!

[FernandaArce]

Ok, I talked to Ernesto and we decided that I going alone. It's just too much money to flight the 4 of us there. About the city, it's easier for me to get there to San Antonio, so that city would be great for me, but if everyone else vote on Corpus Christy, I'll make it there.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Ok, voting has closed! July 23-25, 2009 in San Antonio, TX it is! :)

Now that we know the dates, who is coming and not coming?

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I'll probably be coming alone too. We have 4 other trips this year and it's just too much time off of work for Craig to take. We haven't fully decided yet though.

[FernandaArce]

Okay! I am there, I will start planning!

[KateC]

SUPER EXCITED!!!! Steve, my sister and I will be there plus the girls!! It will be a month before their first BDay so they should be walking yeeeaahh!!

[FernandaArce]

I can't wait to meet you all!

[Corin Nava]

Wooohoooo! I will be booking my flight by the end of Feb :) I am coming either alone or with Ayla....

[MelissaKelly]

I won't be attending.

I'll pass along the dates to the physician scientist I spoke to.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Why Melissa? We all would really love to see you!!!! :(

[MelissaKelly]

Like I said before, I can't leave Michael. I'm not comfortable being a two hour drive away from him and I certainly can't risk bringing him along. I'm sure you know where I'm coming from, having raised a very complicated child yourself.

It's a bummer, but what can you do. Another few years and he'll hopefully outgrow the pulmonary hypertension and we won't be as limited.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

We understand. I definitely do, I used to haul Shane around on the vent and oxygen tanks, feeding pump, etc - wasn't easy. We used to visit family 2 hours away and it was an adventure so I understand. A lot can change in 6 months... maybe Michael won't even need the vent. :) As far as germs, etc - we all understand.

[KimberlySwitzer]

Im still planning on coming, by myself though! Im searching for cheap flights now, so hopefully I will have some luck!

[JenniferBrown]

Im coming i have to get together with Corin to book our flights together.

[mariluornelas]

I still don't know if I can attend. If Gods helps us, and allows my Juan to be ok by that time, My Hubby, Adrian, Juan and me will be there.


Oh no Melissa, that is sad news. I was looking foward meeting you (if I go) But I totally understand. I have a question for you Melissa, do you know if the Covenant Hospital in Lubbock offers ECMO? I can't find a web site with the hospitals info. I got the Childrens Hospital from your Web Site, and I looks soo nice.

[DanielleKessner]

Can't give a 100% promise but it still looks like Julian and I will be attending. As soon as our tickets are booked I will let you know :-)

Oh no Mel. I didn't realise you wouldn't be able to attend if it was in San Antonio - just thought you couldn't help organise. Very sad :-( Like Dawn said, a lot can happen in 6 months so I will have my fingers crossed!

[StephanieOlivarez]

I plan on attending--by myself. Lexi will be in summer camp and one of us needs to be here.

So--put me to work when I get there Dawn. Do you have any idea on what the schudule will be?

I am thrilled to see so many plan on coming. So excited to meet all of you. Excited to see members I have already met. I am just excited!!!!

[karahess]

Steph, you are so funny already wanting to know a schedule! Now, now everyone! Let Dawn breathe!

Everyones enthusiasm and excitement for the conference is absolutely AMAZING! Keep it up! Let's all show our support!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Thank you, Kara! LOL

Working on the hotel, waiting on a lot of responses. One of our members is in San Antonio and is helping us to find a place, yeah! There are lots and lots of hotels on the riverwalk but they are pretty pricey. Looking for something within a couple of blocks and cheaper.

Can I get a rough idea on how many rooms we'll need? With some of you sharing and bringing your families and not bringing your families.... I'm lost on how many we need!

Remember - this is a family friendly event!!! Cherubs and children are all welcome to attend!! There will be kids entertainment and babysitters during the conference. Lots of local attractions for the kids and we make sure there is a pool at the hotel (though the sitters do not take the kids to attractions or the pool for safety reasons - but you can take them after the conference). Our conferences are great about making sure everyone has time to hang out, get to know each other and see local attractions too. Plus, since this a conference about cherubs it's great for the survivors to meet other survivors and siblings to meet - kids need support too! :)

And there is a bit of confusion I want to clear up..... the Angel Ball is in October in North Carolina. The Conference is July in Texas. They aren't in the same place at the same time this year, I'm sorry! :) However, you are all encouraged to come to BOTH! :) The conference is definitely family oriented and fun but won't be wild - the Angel Ball is an adults only formal masquerade ball with partying, dancing, an auction and a casino this time. All in formal costumes. So I encourage you all to attend both to have the maximum amount of CHERUBS fun! :D

[LynneB]

Dawn, I love the new avatar! I have been thinking that maybe Jeff and I can come to the ball and Baer can stay with Grandma for trick or treat.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Lynne, I'd love to see you guys at the Ball!!! :)

Since it's the day before Halloween you can still get home in time to trick-or-treat if you really want to. :)

[DanielleKessner]

One room for the Kessner's please :-)

[LynneB]

Sounds good to me!

[StephanieOlivarez]

One room for me!!! Who wants to share a room with me?????? Corin, Barb...anyone.......lol

[Donna Easley]

I'm still in the air about the conference. I hope to be able to attend, but will have to play it by ear.

[Chris and TracyMeats]

My family will need a room if we can make it. Trying really hard to make this work--I was hoping for any of the dates, besides the date that won. Looking forward to where you find the conference room/hotel, so we can definitely start planning and hopefully make this work for us.

[FernandaArce]

Steph, I'll share a room.

[JenniferBrown]

Hopefully you can make it Tracy. I really want to meet your boys.

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Me too Jenn!! I think my husband is going to buy earplugs so he doesn't have to listen to me talk about it!! I ordered a Texas travel guide and hopefully that shows up soon. I am really trying hard to juggle a few things and make this a family vacation and hopefully my husband can juggle a few things in his schedule too. Cole my oldest knows there is a Sea World and wants to go bad (he loves animals/sea life). He keeps telling my 2 year old (and I didn't come up with this) that mommy will take him to Sea World if he starts peeing in the potty and gets rid of the diapers!! It would be so wonderful to have him potty trained before July.

[KarlaHolt]

That's so cute Tracy! We talk about it all the time in our house too as we are all so excited. Brooke keeps practicing how to pronounce "diaphragmatic hernia." She must think she will quizzed on it! I hope you can make it work in your schedule.

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Me too Karla! Brooke and Ian are so close in age and I think they would have a fun time together. Tell her to keep practicing how to pronounce "diaphragmatic hernia"--that is too cute. Ian doesn't have the diaphragmatic part at all, just hernia when he points to his scar. Diaphragmatic is a big word for a 4 year old to pronounce.

[JenniferBrown]

Hi Tracy, Karla
Thats too cute, i wish i can bring my older son Damian but im coming by myself and it will be too much with two kids. My husband is not coming because we are planning a family trip to Costa Rica hopefully by the end of the year and we have to save money for that. Tracy i want to go to sead word, my friend went there last summer and she said its beautiful.

[Chris and TracyMeats]

A family trip to Costa Rica sounds amazing Jenn! We have been to the Sea World in California (just Chris and I) and loved it, so I know the boys will like it too. Completely understand not bringing both boys when it is just you. You tell Damian and your husband they will be missed! I bet Adrian is going to get showered with love! Your new avatar is great--two happy and beautiful boys!!!

[JenniferBrown]

Thanks Tracy your family is beautiful too.

I am planning to come this year, maybe even bring this new boyfriend i acquired. I'm planning to fly.

[FernandaArce]

Ok, so far, who's comming? I'm flying solo.

[StephanieOlivarez]

Fer...
it would be awesome to share a room.
Corin, myself, Barb and you???????????

I am sure we can get a suite and split it 4 ways. We will save a ton.

What do you think Barb and Corin??

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

I am good with that! I am so excited!

[Corin Nava]

Fine with me! What ever works :)

Sarah- oooohhh I know we would all love to meet your new boyfriend!!!! How exciting!

[JenniferBrown]

Coming with my mom and Adrian can't wait.

[KarlaHolt]

I'll be there with Dave, Brooke, and Braden. We are using Dave's parents time share after the conference to hang out in San Antonio for another week! I hope there is lots to do!

[Elizabeth Howard]

My husband and I really want to go, so hopefully! San Antonio is about eight hours away from us. If we go we will have to bring Isabel; I think I would have a panic attack being away from her for more than an hour! Realistically she will be on Oxygen still (nasal cannulas). Is anyone bringing there cherub with Oxygen? She is very stable right now, and she will turn one in June.... I think I am just a little apprehensive about the long drive.. but we want to take advantage of this conference being so close to us, and we want to meet everyone!

[StephanieOlivarez]

It is so exciting to hear of all the members that will be attending conference.
The memories we will make...will last a lifetime.

If you are coming solo---make sure to bring your photo albums. So we can share our CHERUBS.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Elizabeth, I'm sure there will be other cherubs with other issues and maybe 1 or 2 on oxygen. Just make sure to bring to bring your concentrator and a few extra tanks and you should be fine! :) My cherub was on oxygen for 2 years so I feel for ya but it's definitely managable and we'd hate for you to miss out!

[Elizabeth Howard]

Thanks Dawn... its good to know that I am not alone! We actually only get oxygen tanks. When Isabel came home from the NICU about three and a half months ago, our pediatrician seemed a little apprehensive about having a concentrator because of the fact that it does not always put out 100% oxygen... I know so many infants are on them, and they just seem a lot more practical. Our oxygen delivery has to come out all the time to switch out the tanks! We definately need to push for a concentrator; I don't know how we would be able to fit so many tanks in our car when we drive to San Antonio!
We definately need this vacation!

[Damon andSharonknott]

Elizabeth, reading your post made me think of my first Aussie conference. Liam had been home for 4 days and we were so excited to be taking Liam to meet all these fabulous CHERUB people.
Liam was 5 months, still had his O2, tube fed and slept the entire time - LOL.
Boy, what a feeling to meet people face to face who have lived what we had! I will never forget meeting Danielle (our pres) and just feeling that we werent alone.

I hope you guys get to go. I know the drive is a drag (mind we only had 40 mins) but it will be worth it.

Hugs
Shaz x

[MelissaKelly]

Girl. Get a concentrator, holy cow. Michael has always used one and it's never been a problem (unless the power goes out, but that's what the tanks are for!)

Walgreens can provide you with a portable concentrator too, for the road, you just have to push them. Hopefully your car is tougher than my Civic, though. I tried plugging the concentrator into the lighter outlet like you're supposed to and it not only blew the fuse but it melted the connector. Whoops. They do have batteries that are good for a few hours at a time, but that's more for walking around.

For that teeny bit of O2 that Isabel needs you'd be fine driving down with just one M60 tank (one lasts for over 7 hours for me at 3 LPM, and you're using a tiny fraction of that), but I definitely wouldn't travel for more than a day trip without a concentrator. You could also talk to Walgreens about getting supplies while you're in San Antonio, they must have offices there.

[LynneB]

Liz, just get a short O2 tubing. The further the oxygen has to go, the less you actually get with a concentrator.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Info finally posted!!!

http://cdhsupport.org/members/viewtopic.php?t=2823&highlight=