Finally...Florida
Thu., March 20, 07:20 AM
A month after we had originally planned to go, we actually got to Florida. Son and I planned this trip especially for Husband's benefit. So, for example, Son chose a direct flight and a comfortable hotel. A closed car rather than a convertible because Husband won’t wear sun block. And I thought we had better not make our stay too long, because I didn't know how long Husband could tolerate.
On that part, I was wrong. We can plan a vacation as long as we like, if we allow Husband to sleep for most of it!
Friday was a l-o-o-o-ng day. We left home at 7:30 a.m. (in 19 degrees) to go to the airport. By the time Husband had gotten to the terminal building, he was panting like a fish out of water. Son went to get a wheelchair, and that was our style from then on: Husband in the wheelchair carrying the coats on his lap; Son with two bags strapped to his back and pushing the chair; and me pulling the two bags with wheels. (Yes, eventually we checked a couple of those bags.)
Somehow we all got through Security – Husband had to give up his cane for a few minutes, but he was able to walk through on his own. Our flight was delayed for an hour, so Son pushed the chair to the observation window.
They sat us up front on the plane because of Husband, and I think he enjoyed the plane ride. Another wheelchair, another long trek through an airport to get our rental car. After a long wait, the rental car person announced their computers were down and we’d all have to go to the main office. She rode with us. Husband went inside to the air conditioning, but I was happy to sit outdoors with the bags; the warm air felt good.
As soon as we got to the hotel – it was already about 6:30 – I phoned the people we were planning to see. They didn’t know we were coming, although I had spoken with her on Sunday and e-mailed him a few days later. Furthermore, he was working all weekend. Geezers!
We had dinner at the hotel. The food was delicious, a little pricey, I thought, but the portions were huge. Husband didn't eat much and brought most of his dinner upstairs.
Saturday morning we went out for breakfast, and then went for a long drive, looking at the beaches and getting an idea of where everything was. We stopped to pick up such things as Diet Coke and milk for Husband’s coffee (he won’t drink it with powdered creamer). When we got back to the hotel, I thought we'd call another couple we know, but Husband didn't want to talk to anyone; he just wanted to go to bed. Son went down to the pool, and I went for a walk. I came back and ate my own leftovers, just enough to keep me stable until suppertime.
When Son and I were getting ready for dinner, Husband told us to go without him. He had leftovers and he was happy with that. So Son and I had dinner in the hotel again (they had absolutely amazing soup), and came upstairs to watch the UConn basketball game. Like the women, the men lost the Big East finals.
Sunday morning Husband was in a bad mood. He said he hadn't slept all night. He often says that – but he doesn’t realize how much he actually sleeps. (Of course, he woke me up every time, and I watched him go back to sleep while I didn't.) He didn’t want any coffee, even with milk; he would take his pills with soda. Son and I were going to explore a little, and Husband said to leave him alone and put out the "do not disturb" sign.
Son and I drove around a lot of construction and eventually found a pretty little downtown, where we looked a lot and bought a little. (My kind of shopping.) We decided we'd see if it was any quicker to come back via I-95. (It wasn't – two hours at a standstill.)
By the time we got back, Husband was awake and we got ready to go to dinner with his cousins. (They are from our area, but retired to West Palm twenty-one years ago.) This was very pleasant, a combination of remembering the past and discussing new technology, Cousin and Son being in similar disciplines. Husband was exhausted. He went right to bed so that he'd be able to get up early to leave for the airport.
Once again we did the wheelchair entourage. Son was annoyed with the lack of efficiency at the Fort Lauderdale airport. After the guard sent us all the way to the end of the security line – a long way to push that wheelchair – that same guard told him he didn’t have to wait in line with the wheelchair but could go right up to the front. I piled all our stuff on the belt and went to assist Husband, who set off the alarm and had to be re-checked. His glasses were in one pocket and his lighter in another; his hip replacement sounded off too, and so did his shoes (evidently a metal support inside). Meanwhile Son was held back because they told him to send his belongings through before mentioning that he needed his tickets again. Here I was trying to move our coats and bags, and he was stuck at the end of the line. They let me back into the security zone to replace Husband’s shoes, but where the heck was that wheelchair?
Once again we were seated at the front of the plane, although in the confusion I ended up having to depend on a stranger to carry my bag. (Shades of Blanche Dubois.) The trip back was on time and uneventful, if you don’t count that the lavatories were out of order. We returned to a New England that’s beginning to thaw out, even if it’s not as warm as Florida.
Son parted from us when we went to wait for the limo and he got on the shuttle for the garage to redeem his car. But I know Husband had a good time because I actually heard him telling Son, “I really appreciate everything you did for me.” (Pardon me while I get up off the floor!)
So we've learned a few things. Husband actually enjoyed himself, but he had to sleep a lot. Son and I still like to explore. Maybe we'll try it again sometime.
