Hip injury...one week till cruise!

[bigjer]

I broke my toe on embarkation day and the Dr who treated me has the passenger services dept. exempt me from the drill.I was in my cabin with my foot elevated and iced.

 

Trip on a Rum Runner?

[Jasperdo]

My wife has trouble walking up and down stairs. We always go to the muster drill early while the elevators are still running. This way we can get a good seat as well. After the drill we wait for the crowds to die down. Then I bring the life jackets back to the cabin while my wife takes an elevator to an upper deck for sailway. We meet back up there.

[happy cruzer]

I am glad that you are going on the cruise and getting lots of helpful advice. Most insurance would require a doctor to say you can not travel (at times it's been reported to be very strict like recent broken leg does not count as unable to travel) being an RN you probably know how to best frame the injury if you decide not to travel. Just a reminder it's not always so obvious that the insurance will just cover it; the devil is in the details.

[bhopal21]

Is it possible to get another steroid injection before you depart?

 

Mike:)

[Sumar76]

Thanks everyone for all the input.

I have gotten so many good ideas and suggestions, I am confident all will go well.

IF I did have to cancel ( which I am determined not to), I am not worried about the insurance not covering. I have the Princess Platinum and can cancel for any reason. Out of about 12 cruises the first one I ever cancelled was the cruise to Bermuda the weekend Hurricaine Sandy came to shore.

I can cancel for any reason.

Mike... Re: the steroid shot.. It didn't work out for me. It was very painful and didn't seem to help that much at all. But thank you for thinking of suggesting it.

Again, everyone has been so helpful.

[west coast cruiser]

On a cruise last year I was having a lot of trouble with a hip problem that led to a replacement. I should have had a cane with me and I highly recommend that you take one with you. It will be a big help.

WCC

[poolreader]

I would strongly suggest buying a walker with a seat. When you use one it keeps you up-right and you do not rock back and forth as much as you do when you walk with a cane. This will make you more comfortable with you hip. Also having a seat when you need to stand in long lines in very helpful. The walker will automatically signal to staff that you can not take the stairs, and need to be sat in the handicapped area for the muster drill. It is also very useful for carrying luggage. I bought mine at Costco for around $100, and it also has storage under the seat so you can hide your purse when on excursions. They fold up and can be stored in the closets on most ships.

[happy cruzer]

Thanks everyone for all the input.

I have gotten so many good ideas and suggestions, I am confident all will go well.

IF I did have to cancel ( which I am determined not to), I am not worried about the insurance not covering. I have the Princess Platinum and can cancel for any reason. Out of about 12 cruises the first one I ever cancelled was the cruise to Bermuda the weekend Hurricaine Sandy came to shore.

I can cancel for any reason.

Mike... Re: the steroid shot.. It didn't work out for me. It was very painful and didn't seem to help that much at all. But thank you for thinking of suggesting it.

Again, everyone has been so helpful.

 

OP sounds like you have it covered, Platinum is excellent. For those who have never cancelled, remember most cancel for any reason insurance is not a full cash refund. Cancel for a medical reason can be.

[Sumar76]

Happy cruzer.. You are right. Although I did "cancel for any reason" with my Bermuda Cruise. I did not get back the full amount.

They deducted the cost of the insurance AND the rest was credit to use in a year. Not a "cash" refund. I didn't realize that ahead, but wouldn't have changed anything. I will always get the insurance for a cruise.

[gracie65]

I had injured my hip after Hurricane Sandy helping with my mothers house. It turned out to be a labral tear of the hip. I have been nursing this since march , steroid injection, PT... And it has been feeling better.

Until yesterday...I guess I overdid something because when I got up yesterday morning I could barely walk. Taking antinflammatory, and it is feeling a little bit better today. If the cruise were tomorrow I don't think I could make it.

However since it is a week away I am hoping I get better each day.

 

Now the questions:

When we have to do the muster drill I'd rather not have to go down/ up the stairs. In an emergency I would do it but I'd rather not if I'm not up to it. Is there someone I can speak with to explain the situation?

 

Also do they have any wheelchairs available on the Diamond?

Hopefully I won't need one but if this doesn't get much better I'm concerned.

 

I do have trip insurance but don't want to cancel. My husband and I have been looking forward to this so much. We cancelled our last planned cruise because it was to Bermuda on the "sandy" arrival.

Thanks for any input.

 

So sorry to hear about the hip problems. This suggestion may not have enough time to be effective so close to sailing but you might think about giving Pilates a try. I have never had a hip injury but very prone to stiff hips and so long as I do pilates 2-3 times a week I have no problems. If done the correct way they have several exercises that work to rotate the hip rather then how we normally just do front to back like when walking. It has done wonders for me.

I hope the pain eases enough to allow you to have a wonderful cruise and I am sure if something is bothering you they can make arrangements for the muster.

[Treven]

I would strongly suggest buying a walker with a seat. When you use one it keeps you up-right and you do not rock back and forth as much as you do when you walk with a cane. This will make you more comfortable with you hip. Also having a seat when you need to stand in long lines in very helpful. The walker will automatically signal to staff that you can not take the stairs, and need to be sat in the handicapped area for the muster drill. It is also very useful for carrying luggage. I bought mine at Costco for around $100, and it also has storage under the seat so you can hide your purse when on excursions. They fold up and can be stored in the closets on most ships.

I have a rollator, and I think your comment to be good advice to the OP. Many times I've had to take advantage of the built-in seat while standing in a slow moving line, or at the muster drill.

[ldubs]

I cannot go down the stairs because of sight issues, up is ok. I have never had any problems using the elevators once I have explained my situation to the muster staff.

Melinda

 

I'm just the opposite. Have a tough time climbing up, but no problem going down the stairs because gravity is on my side.:)

[gingera]

Princess will take good care of you...if you have a TA, use her/him to communicate your needs.

[Dayenu]

Now the questions:

When we have to do the muster drill I'd rather not have to go down/ up the stairs. In an emergency I would do it but I'd rather not if I'm not up to it. Is there someone I can speak with to explain the situation?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

I use a cane, and don't do stairs. The only person I talked to was the room steward... just in case of real emergency.

 

They stop elevators during the muster drill, but one is always working. Ask any ship employee to help you with the elevator, and they will call that one that is working, and escort you to your station, and make sure there is a seat for you. Going back, the elevators are crowded. To avoid being pushed if you are not in a wheelchair, wait till the crowds are gone.