Back to Happiness!

Dear All

A sad story I have to tell..... but with a Virgin Happy ending!

I joined VFlyer in 2013 and quickly grasped the delights of reward seats, points and tiers etc.

All was well in Rebe world and I got married in June 14 in MCO. Fabulous. We were due to go to Jamaica for our honeymoon in January 2015. Disaster was, however, waiting in the wings....

In December 2014, I managed to "slip" a disc which required surgery on New Years Eve and cancellation of Jamaica. Tears. Lots and lots of! My back pain did not cease after the surgery and I went through another 3 months of steroid injections, nerve blocks etc. No improvements. My consultant declared me too difficult to fix and sent me to the Royal Nat Orthopaedic Hospital.
By this time, I had also been retired off from my job (I was only 42) and getting very down in the dumps. I was lucky to get a pension and not the sack!

(Virgin were excellent dealing with the flight refunds, no fuss and no delay).

Long and short of it, this Feb, I had a 3 level lumbar 360 degree fusion, anterior and posterior, and was told I had a 50/50 chance of walking again. So far so good, pain is manageable with some help and I am quite speedy on a Zimmer!

In the midst of all this, hubby (my angel!), who retires May 2017, said (in that way where he thinks I need a nod of go ahead!) , I can book 3 or 4 holidays to make up for the honeymoon and horrid couple of years we have had.

So, the happy ending! I have a goal to be walking with two sticks by May next year and....

2 Gs to MCO May 2017 for 28 days, 2 very cheap UC fares to MBJ for 3 weeks in Sandals Royal Plantation in July 2017 and 2 Virgin spends left! So the question is.... where do We go to next?? Wait for another amazing deal or pick somewhere? Lots of points left. The fun of it has made me the happiest I have been in a long while!

After two years of horror and being bed bound, just planning trips is an amazing tonic, and renewed my interest in all things Virgin, can't wait for the real thing to arrive!

If you reached the end of the tale, then thank you for reading and sharing my happiness.

Well I certainly had a lump in my throat after reaching the end of your tale. I am so pleased that life seems to be taking off again for you and wish you, not just wonderful flights & holidays, but every success with your walking .

Good luck

Thank you so much for your good wishes. I will walk properly again, I am determined to. It's good to be looking forward again, happiness makes the recovery so much easier!

Sounds like you've had a really tough couple of years, and still have a very difficult 6 months ahead of you, but 2017 is clearly going to be a great your for you!

I wish you all the best in your recovery and look forward to reading about your trips next year

So pleased to read that you are on the mends.

If you want the sun, and some relaxation with nice views -- how about St Lucia? There are a few Sandals about, and the Pitons are too majestic.

Wherever you decide, I wish you all the best and I'm sure you will have very enjoyable trips to make up for all the misery that you've had to endure.

Do keep us posted

Very best wishes to you & your angel. Wishing you both all that you wish yourselves.

oldboy

You have been through a lot, and so glad that there is so much light at the end of the tunnel!!

Where to go next? That's a big question. I absolutely loved South Africa - VS only fly to Jo'burg but there are lots of ways to get to Cape Town, I did both in a packed two weeks and would jump at the chance to go again.

The weather there in December or January will be amazing. And after MBJ you'll need something to look forward to!!!

Thanks all for your kind words and suggestions... South Africa.... wine?......St Lucia .... sun!
Shall look at both thank you. Apologies for the delay in response, Pete had to reset me! X