Going to Canada for daughter, 4

Hi,

I will be traveling to Canada to see a glaucoma specialist for my 4 year old daughter. I have never been to Montreal before. It will take 5.5 hours to drive. I will stay over in Vermont on Sunday nite and drive in MOnday morning. I am usually a pretty strong individual but since being diagnosed with fibro I have been having all these anxietys. I wonder if this is normal?

(I hope this is not off topic)

I am a researcher type person. Since learning that she has congenital glaucoma, I have tried to leave no stone unturned in helping her. I found this Dr. who agreed to give us a 2nd opinion and to do some diagnositic workup. She is blind in her left eye and has 20/80 in the other.

I am terrified of going there along with her. It's such a long way. I also heard that the driver's in Montreal are not very friendly. And to top it off I don't speak French! I have had terrible insomnia these past few days. I have been trying to just hunker down and focus but I find myself getting so anxious. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

about Dana. She has had 14 eye surgeries and we made 115 trips to Boston from CT for her since 2004. I am trying so hard to help her. I love her dearly.

Carolyn

Carolyn- please don't worry about montreal! personally...every experiece travelling in Canada I have had was AMAZING. everyone has been very friendly and helpful...and in montreal specifically....we were driving around trying to figure out how to get out and head north...and asked someone at a traffic light...and he switched lanes, got in front of us and said "follow me!" also....I don't want to make a gross over generalization, but most people in montreal at bilingual. I reccomend you look up a website that might give you common road sign sayings...(like no parking...) and find the french translations, becuase I thnk they are all in french. I made the mistake of parking in a spot that said never parking at this time...I thought it said only parking at this time...anyways....Montreal is very friendly from what I have experienced, It is a beautiful city, and I have always felt very safe there.

good luck with the doctors visit! you are a great mom for seeking the best help possible.

Hi there
I am sure you will do just fine
I am from Ontario on the border of Quebec ( Montreal)

My daughter just had a school trip there last year and said it wasnt as bad as she had been told
Yes some ppl are not as friendly but there are more that are so she told me ..........

The city is Bilingual as was already posted so I am pretty sure you will be able to converse without too many problems

I admire your determination and obvious love for your daughter...........LYN

** The weather has been very different especially this year with all the rain we have had here .....feels like fall already

I do hope your fibro wont give you too much trouble

I have had troubles with mine a bit

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter

You have gotten some great thoughts and advice here.  I just wanted you to know you and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers for a VERY successful trip!

 

Sherrine

I like the idea about the road signs! Hey folks, seriously I am almost in tears reading all your kind responses.

My husband told me tonite that he wants to drive with me into Montreal. He was worried about the long trip and us being safe. (he worries more than me!)

We are going to have a sitter for part of Sunday and his mom will come over to watch the 2 boys. Stay overnite till Monday. My 11 month old and the 2 year old. Then my oldest will be with her dad and her grandma will take her to school in the morning. We have a lot of planning to do. It seemed more simple when it was just me and her! I just take a deep breath when I get stressed and I'm fine. I am also making lists.
Today has been very stressful just putting things together for this trip.
Thanks again,
Merci!
Carolyn

We just got back from Canada for my daughter. We were in Montreal. What a gorgeous city! What a grueling drive! 658 miles in 2 days.
It was a success! We got pictures of her optic nerves and a complete, thourough examination. The appt. took 4 hours. The people there were so incredibly kind and helpful. The Dr. was outstanding! He actually explained her eye condition to us; completely and thouroughly. I just gobbled up the information. He then wrote a full report for me which he emailed to me as an attached file. And he burned the pics on a disc and gave it to us.
So the upshot of this is that I know where my daughter is with her poor vision. We now have a baseline to go by. I can stop obsessing on her now :) LOL She's doing great. Things are stable and there are things that we can try to do to help her improve her one bad eye (20/200)
Well and then there's mama. I am so twisted up with aches everywhere. It moves all around my body. My thighs, my R shoulder, my neck. The long car ride didn't help. I wish we could have stayed longer but I had a little baby(left at home with grandma) that needed his mama. He cried for me often.
Anyway, thanks for all the wonderful well wishes. You folks are like family to me. I missed being here when I was away..
Carolyn

I am so happy it was a great trip for you and very educational as well it sounds like
Great news for you and daughter

I am truly sorry you are feeling so much pain
Healing Energy coming your way.......LYN

I'm so happy things went well with the app Carolyn.

 

I can't imagine traveling in a car that long. Mama needs lots of stetching and moist heat for a few days.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee