Don't sweat the small stuff

[summersigh]

“Don’t sweat the small stuff” … keeps ringing through my head as I skimmed over the cruise boards this morning.

 

Why? We were booked to leave for the Panama Canal cruise Nov 7. A couple of weeks ago DH had a “small” stroke. No noticeable damage but his doctors have advised that in the future he not go on any trips out of the country, including cruises, so we had to cancel our much-looked-forward-to upcoming cruise. :(

 

We had insurance and had our credit from HAL back within days. The insurance will cover the rest … BUT….. I’d give about anything to be going on cruises and at this point I don’t believe any “annoyance” could over ride the joy of cruising again. Count your blessings.

[lazey1]

We are so sorry to learn that you had to cancel your cruise. We had to cancel a cruise in July and understand just how heartbreaking it can be.

 

That said, right now your husband should be close to his Doctor's. Perhaps after a year or so of observation your husbands neurologist will allow him to cruise again. It can't hurt to ask.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am sorry to hear that your DH had a small stroke.

Since 1997, my DH has had a stroke, a heart attack with one surgery partially successful and another totally unsuccessful. The doctor told him to go home and wait for death (2006). DH moped around the house for a couple of weeks and we were close to cancelling a cruise. Then he said -- I am not going to sit around and wait for death. Since that time we have done quite a few cruises. He has a new cardiologist who just suggests he not do long flights.

So we cruise Alaska and the Caribbean and Mexico and Hawaii.

A few years ago DH was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Maybe you can get a second opinion about your DH's condition.

[cruz chic]

Agree with KK. I would get a second opinion. I could see having to give up cruises in the short term but this seems excessive, especially for cruises closer to home. Good luck!

[Lizzie68]

I feel so bad for you, but I do agree with the others - get another opinion. My DH had a heart attack more than 10 years ago, 4 stents since then, fell off a ladder and broke many bones plus hip and femur - is very patched up, but still cruises. You only live once.

 

If it does turn out that your doc is right, then there are many lovely places to travel to within the country.

[sail7seas]

Very sorry to hear of your DH's illness but I agree with the others.

 

Of course, we don't know his medical history or the doctor's reasoning but before I gave up a joy we valued in our lives, I would be seeking more than one opinion.

 

I've had heart attacks and two open heart surgeries and no doctor even tried to stop me from cruising. :)

 

Hopefully, as your DH recovers more, you will get doctor's approval. In the meantime, look at the positive.

You still have him.

Best Wishes.

Edited October 12, 2014 by sail7seas

[ger_77]

summersigh: I'm sorry you had to cancel your cruise - unfortunately it could happen to any of us, at any age. Hopefully after some observation, he will be deemed cruise-worthy again and you'll enjoy yourselves even more.

 

Krazy Kruisers: I'm sorry, but your post actually made me laugh out loud; just the thought of the Grim Reaper hanging around the yard for the past 8 years, and finally throwing up his hands in disgust just had me giggling. Maybe it's the smell of turkey cooking that's making me silly, I don't know. I'm glad to hear you've been able to take many more cruises and vacations since his originally "sentence".

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[Vict0riann]

Try not to think of it as a "cancellation", but just a postponement. Hopefully, your DH will recover quickly with no ill effects, and the doctors will tell you that a great cruise will be good for him - and you too.

[RuthC]

I'm sorry you had to cancel your cruise, and even more sorry as to why. You are so right that experiencing a crisis such as this changes your perspective on what really matters.

 

Right now what matters is that your husband heal, and look forward to a full future. I agree with the others that a second opinion, especially after some recuperation, is a fine idea. Having something to look forward to can be a great motivator.

 

Best wishes to you both.

[Krazy Kruizers]

summersigh: I'm sorry you had to cancel your cruise - unfortunately it could happen to any of us, at any age. Hopefully after some observation, he will be deemed cruise-worthy again and you'll enjoy yourselves even more.

 

Krazy Kruisers: I'm sorry, but your post actually made me laugh out loud; just the thought of the Grim Reaper hanging around the yard for the past 8 years, and finally throwing up his hands in disgust just had me giggling. Maybe it's the smell of turkey cooking that's making me silly, I don't know. I'm glad to hear you've been able to take many more cruises and vacations since his originally "sentence".

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

 

 

Thank you

Hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving Day.

[rkacruiser]

My heart goes out to you and your DH! I, too, have had to cancel two cruises in the past because of health issues, so I understand totally your disappointment and dispair. As others have said, I would encourage you to obtain a 2nd, maybe a 3rd, opinion. Doctors/test results don't always agree with a prognosis.

 

Best wishes!

[BumperII]

I think postphone is the correct term.I have had a total of 15 stents and a quad bypass. We did have to set the cruising aside for awhile, but we are back at it again. Retirement is a wonderful part of life that I would not want to miss, but it isn't a good time to be sitting around waiting for anything. A second medical opinion is always in order.:)

[PathfinderEss]

I agree with everyone else. It is just a postponement, I think as he heals,

you will be out cruising again. Absolutely get a second opinion.

[kakalina]

I am sorry you had to cancel your cruise that is tough to do; however I am happy that your husband's stroke was small and his future outlook is good.

[roadbeagle]

I am sending prayers for you both.

[Lis2065]

I am in agreement with all on the 'postponement' thought, if you are able to hold on to that.

 

My wonderful partner had valve replacement surgery 4 years ago. He crashed twice following the initial operation and they had to operate on him twice again in the following 12 hours. He'd had a quadruple bypass 15 years prior to this surgery so it was a pretty bleak outlook....

 

But this wonderful man has just gotten stronger and stronger and, whilst the valve isn't doing all that it should, in the last two years we've been on two cruises and have another booked for January - all with the blessing and encouragement of his Cardiologist!

 

I never dreamed that this would be the outcome and it was very hard in the first few months following his surgery, but we were lucky.

 

I hope you have the same fortune.

[HamOp]

If any doctor told me to go home and wait for death, I'd find a new doctor and do my best to outlive the old one!

[sail7seas]

If any doctor told me to go home and wait for death, I'd find a new doctor and do my best to outlive the old one!

 

Here, here and happily it seems that is just what KK's DH has done. Good for him (them !!!).

 

[Cruzin Terri]

To me the cruise is the small stuff. After our ordeal in Rome this past Summer, the cruise meant little as opposed to having my husband alive.

I thank God every day for those doctors in Rome who were able to identify the problem and correct it quickly. So we canceled a cruise. There will be others.

 

KK, good for you and DH.

OP, get a second opinion.

Terri

[solocanadian]

Please get a second opinion. I had a small stroke in February 2013 and fortunately no side affects, Since then I have had 6 cruises and 2 more booked for 2015. My GP doctors for HAL on some of his vacations, so he must know what he is talking about.

[flygirl2]

Totally agree! We are booked on a Nov. 8 Carnival Glory cruise and thought I'd look you up in case you are Steve were booked on the same cruise. We really enjoyed our visits with you on the Westerdam last year. Give our best to Steve and we pray for healing and that once again you can sail the Happy Seas!

[iancal]

Totally agree with you. After your health and physical safety the rest is well down on the list.

 

Nonsense about Tshirts, shirts, robes at the pool, luggage tags and all those other 'small stuff' items just don't even make it on our list anymore. It is why we retired early. The attitude changed how, where, and how often we travel.

 

It is surprising how an illness or a medical scare can refocus you and change one's priorities.

 

I have no doubt that you will get past this and move forward.

[Two@Sea]

We understand the sudden "no cruises" situation, and sympathize with you. While I agree with what others have posted regarding your husband, there are no dialysis machines onboard to assist mine. My heart is with you.

[summersigh]

Thank all of you for your advice and encouragement.

 

DH has a number of other problems besides this stroke thing ... but the stroke was not a pre-existing condition. They don't seem to be sure just what caused it but increased and/or added meds the think will prevent a reoccurrence.

 

He has an appointment with the neurologist/stroke specialist at the end of the month and we'll definitely quiz him on prognosis and our ability to cruise in the future.

 

Once again ... thank you

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for coming back and explaining that your DH has other medical problems.

Many of us here thought that the only problem he had was that small stroke.

Prayers for both of you and hopefully one day you both will be cruising again.