Shattered my heel and sailing on gem June 21

[Von & John]

Wishing you the best w/ both the surgical 2nd opinion & a great time on your cruise!

[Shih-tzu]

The thermal spa on the Gem is wonderful and hopefully can help relax or alleviate any pain.   Best of luck on your trip to Bermuda and please keep us posted on how you're doing and how your trip went.

 

[DiverJohn]

On 5/14/2019 at 7:51 PM, Shih-tzu said:

The thermal spa on the Gem is wonderful and hopefully can help relax or alleviate any pain.   Best of luck on your trip to Bermuda and please keep us posted on how you're doing and how your trip went.

 

Went to see specialist today, recommended surgery to include plates, screws, rods, and bone grafts. Surgery next Wednesday . If I needed to fly for cruise he wouldn’t have cleared me but live close to Boston so I get to go. 

  Use of thermal spa will be a last minute decision based off how the foot is doing. 

Picked up the Iwalk 2.0, been using around house and have gone out once, like it other than  my foot sticking out while standing still and people might not notice and walk into it. 

 Do have a couple questions for you all, should I get wheelchair assistance for boarding ? Will the metal they use in my heel set off the detector at the cruise terminal (or airports) and if so do you bring a letter explaining the surgery from the doctor or just let them wand you? 

Thanks for any help!!

[Von & John]

Did the surgeon mention if they were using  titanium?   Titanium should not set off TSA Detectors.   The original screws / bolts in my knee used to set them off, every now & then.   The screws / bolts have since been removed.   

[emdia43]

1 hour ago, Von & John said:

Did the surgeon mention if they were using  titanium?   Titanium should not set off TSA Detectors.   The original screws / bolts in my knee used to set them off, every now & then.   The screws / bolts have since been removed.   

I have titanium in my tibia, knee and hip and I always set off the alarms and have to be taken aside for pat down and scan.

[emdia43]

2 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Went to see specialist today, recommended surgery to include plates, screws, rods, and bone grafts. Surgery next Wednesday . If I needed to fly for cruise he wouldn’t have cleared me but live close to Boston so I get to go. 

  Use of thermal spa will be a last minute decision based off how the foot is doing. 

Picked up the Iwalk 2.0, been using around house and have gone out once, like it other than  my foot sticking out while standing still and people might not notice and walk into it. 

 Do have a couple questions for you all, should I get wheelchair assistance for boarding ? Will the metal they use in my heel set off the detector at the cruise terminal (or airports) and if so do you bring a letter explaining the surgery from the doctor or just let them wand you? 

Thanks for any help!!

I would book a scooter for onboard use. I can tell you those hallways are very long if you are using any assistive device. Save those for onshore excursions.  Having your heel protruding back from that knee walker imo is asking for someone to knock it or ram into it.   

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Will the metal they use in my heel set off the detector at the cruise terminal (or airports) and if so do you bring a letter explaining the surgery from the doctor or just let them wand you? 

 

It might, no way to know for sure till you get there.  I had a total knee replacement two years ago, and have been through many metal detectors since in different types of venues, including airports and sports arenas. The scanners are set at different sensitivity levels, depending on where they are, with airport scanners being the most sensitive.  They have always detected my knee. 

 

A card or letter from your doctor will be of no use because the documents can be fraudulent. (Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it.) You will have the same screening regardless. Before going through any scanner, let the agent know of your surgery and the possibility that you may set off the scanner. 

 

Good luck with your surgery; I hope you have a speedy recovery, and that you enjoy your cruise!

[albertamom]

12 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Went to see specialist today, recommended surgery to include plates, screws, rods, and bone grafts. Surgery next Wednesday . If I needed to fly for cruise he wouldn’t have cleared me but live close to Boston so I get to go. 

  Use of thermal spa will be a last minute decision based off how the foot is doing. 

Picked up the Iwalk 2.0, been using around house and have gone out once, like it other than  my foot sticking out while standing still and people might not notice and walk into it. 

 Do have a couple questions for you all, should I get wheelchair assistance for boarding ? Will the metal they use in my heel set off the detector at the cruise terminal (or airports) and if so do you bring a letter explaining the surgery from the doctor or just let them wand you? 

Thanks for any help!!

Definitely contact the Access Desk with NCL:  https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/about/accessible-cruising

 

They were extremely helpful with my needs because of my broken leg on the Star.  I didn't use them for wheelchair boarding because we rented a wheelchair from https://www.scootaround.com/ and had it delivered to our pre-cruise hotel.  Because we had to leave it in our cabin at the end of the cruise, we did use NCL wheelchair assistance to disembark.  It was incredible!  They wheeled us past everyone waiting in line on the ship, on the pier and all the way through luggage retrieval, customs and to our bus.

 

If you haven't seen this video review of the iWalk, you must watch it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn59Ti3ncew

 

He has some really good tips for modifying it after everyday wear and tear, and because you bought a used one, they may be helpful.

[DiverJohn]

Latest update , 

tried calling the access desk but they have normal work week days and hours. Called the normal number and explained my dilemma to the agent, after much searching she determined no accessible balconies were left. My only option would be to pay just over 1,000 and upgrade to a mini suite on deck 11. Having travelled in several mini’s already knew the chance of late night or early morning noise was pretty high as these are right under the great outdoors area. So for 1700.00 I was able to upgrade both of us to an accessible rear facing penthouse with balcony on the 9th floor. Should be quiet and will have the added benefit of sit down breakfast and lunch at Cagneys so won’t have to navigate with a tray. Also got wheelchair service on and off ship.

Since this is all the way back on ship am leaning towards a motorized scooter as several have suggested. Hoping that I am able to get the additional latitudes point per night for booking the suite at full price, literature says for booking initially you get extra point, but not for bidding or upgrading. They did add free 250 free internet minutes which I didn’t have in balcony because it came with penthouse so hopefully points added too. Again thank you all for sharing your knowledge and thoughts with me, greatly appreciated. Here is the foot complete with fracture blisters, and yes it absolutely was as painful as it looks lol

picture removed sorry Cole 

 

Edited May 19, 2019 by DiverJohn
Remove picture

[ColeThornton]

Gross.  You really didn't have to post that.

[albertamom]

Sounds like you're doing everything right!  Great job moving to the aft penthouse.  We were in a suite as well, and the quiet breakfasts and lunches were greatly appreciated.  We walked through the buffet with my iWalk once, and that was the only time someone ran into my foot.  Avoided it like the plague for the rest of the trip.

 

I had fracture blisters after my leg surgery, and they are indeed gruesome!  Didn't see your picture, but I can imagine.  🤢  

 

One other thought, since you will be in a suite, your concierge will be a huge help as well.  When using the wheelchair, we kept running into trouble because the housekeeping carts blocked the hallway.  I'd have to hop by them while hubby folded the wheelchair.  We mentioned this to our concierge at breakfast, and from then on the carts were parked in the widest parts of the hallway, instead of the narrowest.  👍

[Shih-tzu]

Looks like your vacation (albiet modified) can at least happen......which is a good thing as a change in scenery will be as good. Take care 🙂

 

[Son of a son of a ...]

On 5/17/2019 at 11:50 PM, DiverJohn said:

Went to see specialist today, recommended surgery to include plates, screws, rods, and bone grafts. Surgery next Wednesday . If I needed to fly for cruise he wouldn’t have cleared me but live close to Boston so I get to go. 

  Use of thermal spa will be a last minute decision based off how the foot is doing. 

Picked up the Iwalk 2.0, been using around house and have gone out once, like it other than  my foot sticking out while standing still and people might not notice and walk into it. 

 Do have a couple questions for you all, should I get wheelchair assistance for boarding ? Will the metal they use in my heel set off the detector at the cruise terminal (or airports) and if so do you bring a letter explaining the surgery from the doctor or just let them wand you? 

Thanks for any help!!

 

Good luck, DiverJohn!

[Son of a son of a ...]

Yes on W/C assistance and no on metal detectors ... the sensitivity is dialed down on the detectors

[DiverJohn]

That’s a lot of metal Son of a son, did my surgery yesterday nerve block still working on lower leg and ankle, and throat sore from respirator ended up with multiple pins, multiple plates and two bone grafts . Doctor told girlfriend after surgery that I “smashed the (poop) out of that heel”

Surgery took about 35 minutes longer than planned,  but he thought it went great. He will check on it June 4 and have me come back again on June 20 to make a final determination on type of cast and whether I can do the spa T. Pool and jacuzzi or should keep out of water, KneeRover go hybrid should be arriving today but I am staying in a recliner for 48 hours to keep leg higher than chest, have modified a aircast cryo. Meant for rotator cuff surgery to keep foot and ankle cool to reduce swelling, keeping fingers crossed, thanks for advice and help!!

[Vyhanek]

I was on the Gem last week.   I saw a woman with a knee scooter and many, many other people in wheel chairs!    I would bring both.   

 

Honestly the elevator crowding was not as bad on the Gem as it is on the larger ships.  I think you will be OK.   

[Casino Comp Chick]

Rent a scooter from disabilities at sea, I had a broken foot and was able to use it on and off the ship in Bermuda, it was worth every penny. If you do call your TA/NCL and have them move you to an HC room.

[DiverJohn]

On 6/5/2019 at 5:26 AM, Casino Comp Chick said:

Rent a scooter from disabilities at sea, I had a broken foot and was able to use it on and off the ship in Bermuda, it was worth every penny. If you do call your TA/NCL and have them move you to an HC room.

Tried to move to hc balcony but none available, ended up paying for a rear suite that was hc accesible, pvp mentioned scooter for 170.00 for week but looks more like 400.00 on Scootaround website, still considering since I am in an aft suite everything will be a trek , hoping doctor changes me to a removable cast so I can still use my spa pass, see him day before sailing for his final decision. Have wheelchair assistance for embarking / disembarking but no clue yet how that process works in Boston. Will have to search, thanks for the help !!

[Shih-tzu]

You may wish to check further reference the Scooter - perhaps Norwegian has a deal/contract with a provider for their ships and they get a cheaper rate??  Or maybe the supplier offers a discount to Norwegian passengers?   Worth a try anyway.