Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[A&L_Ont]

1 hour ago, ValerieJo said:

 

Awesome Parents = Awesome Kid.

One of the things that made us smile the most on the Bella cruise was people complimenting us on Owen and his behaviour, as well as his ease of chatting with any of them at any point along the cruise. In fact all of the Bella group cruisers said it at different times. 

[A&L_Ont]

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

Dani @dani negreanu.

It will be April 2nd now in Israel.

Thank you on the 3rd anniversary of the wonderful thread you created.

Graham.

So deserved.  @dani negreanu thank-you for helping to create this group. 

[Coralc]

On 3/31/2023 at 11:24 AM, Husky1987 said:

All this medical talk and a few moments of free time at work with nothing to do...I already mentioned my kidney story but here's the long story for me:

 

From 20-35ish, I had a bad back.  Not horrible pain everyday, but discomfort.  Every few years I'd throw it out, it would hurt for a couple weeks, and go back down to the discomfort level.

 

The weekend before 9/11, we went on a family fishing trip.  Came home Monday, cleaning out the boat and everything, bent down to pick up a cooler and felt my back explode.  Oh well, another two weeks.  Not this time.  Tuesday morning was 9/11, and by Wednesday my legs started getting really weak and numb.  My mom, retired RN, tells me she is going to find an Ortho Dr. for me to see.  Yeah, whatever Mom, I'll just rest and it'll get better.  She insists.  So she calls some of he old doctor friends, finds someone recommended, and makes an appt. for me the next morning.  

 

I go in, by this time I can barely walk.  Doc takes a look at me, does some poking and prodding, and says "I'm sending you over for an MRI.  If it confirms what I suspect is wrong, you'll be in surgery this afternoon."  Bam.  So, MRI complete, I come back to his office and he is waiting for me.

 

He explains what happened.  My L4-L5 disc ruptured into my spinal cord.  Cauda Equina Syndrome, he calls it.  If it's caught within the first 48 hours, there is a good chance of spontaneous reversal.  Unfortunately, I'm outside that window.

 

"The spine physicians from next door are prepping for surgery.  Of course, you're free to go out and find a second opinion, but please, I'm telling you that if you don't have surgery right now, you're risking permanent nerve damage, up to paralysis."  Wow.  So I'm in surgery just a little bit later.

 

Nine months of rehab.  Before this, I was running 7 miles a day, 6 days a week.  For months, I walked with a walker, then a cane.  Finally up and around enough 9 months later that I started a job at the same place I work today.

 

Fast forward to today.  I am so lucky.  Really the only remaining vestige of all this is foot drop in my left foot.  I don't have any muscle activity below my left knee.  So I usually have an ankle brace keeping my foot at 90 degrees.  Still trip over my toes every so often if I'm tired and I'm not wearing a brace. Can't run, can't jump.  But, apologies to Lou Gehrig, I'm the luckiest dude on the face of the earth.  I've talked with people who had the same thing happen and got sent home by a doctor who gave them ibuprofen and "if it doesn't get better in a month, come back."  All my cards lined up...from my mom to a doctor who was supposed to be out of town, but because planes were grounded in the days after 9/11 decided to go into the office and had an open appointment, and knew exactly what he was looking at.  

 

Today...great job, traveled more than I ever thought I would, and I definitely outkicked my coverage in the wife department.  All since that day.  I've been asked if I knew on that Monday what I know now, would I still bend down to pick up that cooler.  Not even a hesitation...damn right I would.

 

 

Thank you! That actually may explain a problem that I have been having, and I hadn't put it together until reading your story. When riding in a car, either as passenger or driver, when I step out my left ankle is quite painful, and almost feels dislocated. I can usually walk it off after a dozen steps, but I couldn't figure it out. 

 

When I was in my early 30's, I was poisoning ground squirrels for work, and fell 12 feet into a cement lined flood control channel. Kind of like a big cement ditch. 

 

I blew out my L4-L5 or S5 disc as well. Unfortunately, mine wasn't treated by surgery as quickly. And I experienced severe sciatica, nerve damage from below my knee down, muscle wasting and left foot drop in the 3 months I waited for approval. 

 

I had a really good surgeon and PT afterwards. I haven't experienced any further problems. I still don't have much feeling in my left calf and lack a reflex response when he taps it with the hammer. 

 

But now, 30 years later, I'll bet that is what is causing this ankle pain. I have noticed that it doesn't occur when I wear the ankle brace. (That I purchased for this specific reason). So, thank you very much @Husky1987 I appreciate you sharing, because it solved my little medical mystery as well. 

 

It is funny. (Not Ha-Ha) how those early injuries have a way of bothering you later in life. ☺️

[kittymamma]

Totally off topic but this is such an informed group... going on Wonder, first cruise since pandemic. In suites, are they still providing small containers of shampoo, conditioner,  body lotion and bar soap?  So many places have switched  to those shower mounted dispensers with only shampoo, conditioner and body wash....no body lotion anywhere.

[aussielozzie18]

Good morning.  It’s a wet Sunday in Sydney and looks like the rain is set in for the  week.  Off to see “Shackleton - The Greatest Story of Survival” at the movies this afternoon.  Have a nice week everyone and stay safe if you are heading off on the roads later on the week for Easter.

Edited April 1, 2023 by aussielozzie18

[jmh2006]

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Dani @dani negreanu.

It will be April 2nd now in Israel.

Thank you on the 3rd anniversary of the wonderful thread you created.

Graham.

Perfect graphic!  Thank you from me as well for starting this thread 3 years ago!

[jmh2006]

49 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

One of the things that made us smile the most on the Bella cruise was people complimenting us on Owen and his behaviour, as well as his ease of chatting with any of them at any point along the cruise. In fact all of the Bella group cruisers said it at different times. 

We thoroughly enjoyed bumping into Owen on the Bella cruise, especially in the elevators!😉

[Coralc]

8 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Good morning.  It’s a wet Sunday in Sydney and looks like the rain is set in for the  week.  Off to see “Shackleton - The Greatest Story of Survival” at the movies this afternoon.  Have a nice week everyone and stay safe if you are heading off on the roads later on the week for Easter.

Did you see that they just recently found his ship, Endurance in the Antarctic, perfectly preserved? Shackleton did have a fascinating story. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60662541

Edited April 1, 2023 by Coralc

[A&L_Ont]

23 minutes ago, kittymamma said:

Totally off topic but this is such an informed group... going on Wonder, first cruise since pandemic. In suites, are they still providing small containers of shampoo, conditioner,  body lotion and bar soap?  So many places have switched  to those shower mounted dispensers with only shampoo, conditioner and body wash....no body lotion anywhere.

On Harmony in January and Oasis in March they are wall mounted, but a fancier brand of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner. There was body a separate lotion/moisturizer on the counter. I would think Wonder would be similar. 

Edited April 1, 2023 by A&L_Ont

[kittymamma]

Thanks, Andrew.  Just what I needed to know.

[broadwaybaby123]

1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Are they going to feature it on NH Chronicle?  I will keep an eye out on WMUR.  Facility looks beautiful.

I would think so. Sean McDonald played with the Nashua Ukestra (my group), right across from me! I was in the front row, second from the left.

 

The theater is STUNNING! We were all gobsmacked backstage! 

 

Attached is the ribbon cutting! 

 

Edited April 2, 2023 by broadwaybaby123

[Ocean Boy]

All I have to say is sometimes you inadvertently get involved in playing a game of Monopoly and you don't even know you have rolled the dice.😏🙄

[dbancroft]

7 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Tomorrow is the third anniversary of this thread as you posted a few days ago.Since it is not likely that CC will pipe in music my suggestion is that at a designated time taking in consideration the time difference from those not living in the US we pour a drink of our favorite beverage and do a Toast to Dani for starting this great tread .

Or all clean our refrigerators

[Sunshine3601]

8 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Congratulations on your husbands winning!  If he and @Lionesss are ever in the casino at the same time, they could bankrupt the ship! 

 

And if they are ever on the ship at the same time, I'm sitting in between them, hoping some of that luck rubs off on me. 😃

Same here😉

[Sunshine3601]

8 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Tomorrow is the third anniversary of this thread as you posted a few days ago.Since it is not likely that CC will pipe in music my suggestion is that at a designated time taking in consideration the time difference from those not living in the US we pour a drink of our favorite beverage and do a Toast to Dani for starting this great tread .

Cheers🥂

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

The kids do not shake at the end for a reason, especially when more often then not there are only 2 refs.  This way they avoid bad situations becoming worse, thanks to emotions boiling over and getting the best of the them from events during the game. It happens this way for a reason.  This game for example there were three players thrown out for penalties, and there are rougher games. 

 

Like when a Bowling Green State University basketball player got sucker-punched by the opponent  Memphis guard as both teams lined up for handshakes after a game.  The Memphis player has been charged with assault.

[Ozark_Kid]

53 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

All I have to say is sometimes you inadvertently get involved in playing a game of Monopoly and you don't even know you have rolled the dice.😏🙄

Exactly! Like during the Bella thread 

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, dbancroft said:

Or all clean our refrigerators

Wow, I didn’t think about it but Sharon's mom just cleaned ours out real good today!  

Edited April 2, 2023 by Ozark_Kid

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

One of the things that made us smile the most on the Bella cruise was people complimenting us on Owen and his behaviour, as well as his ease of chatting with any of them at any point along the cruise. In fact all of the Bella group cruisers said it at different times. 

I was one of them!  At faux sail away, ship was late leaving, up near the flowrider, Owen walked right up to me, shook my hand, smiled and started to chat.  Amazing confidence for one his age!

[Sunshine3601]

Something new arrived in our cabin after dinner tonight.

3 questions...cabin number, name and is anyone experiencing gastrointestinal issues.   Maybe Norovirus is onboard, have not heard anyone mention an issue.

[CruiszBug]

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Dani @dani negreanu.

It will be April 2nd now in Israel.

Thank you on the 3rd anniversary of the wonderful thread you created.

Graham.

Cheers to Dani, ala champagne & shrimp scampi!

[Ozark_Kid]

@singinalot Here is the movie converted to mp4.  

 

 

[maggieq]

12 minutes ago, singinalot said:

Hello friends & family!

Many of you know I tried to follow along on the live cruise a couple of weeks ago but other than that have been quite absent. Life has definitely gotten in the way these past months.

 

I do think of you all often and will be thinking of some of you more so after seeing these recent posts. ❤️

 

Our pool was started January 9 and finished on March 17

 

 

 

 

 

We are still finishing the landscaping, but enjoyed our first pool party last weekend.

 

I am now working 2 jobs…remember that job I left in CO? well, my replacement quit and they asked me to work remotely while they search again…imaginethat 😉 

We did the St Thomas trip in February, I went to a Wynonna concert, Clearwater, and my best friend and her daughter came in town for a week.

 

I can officially say I do have a couple trips planned finally:

St Augustine girls weekend in June

Turkey in August

 

Many cousins just booked Icon of the Seas for next March and we are looking at joining them

Pool looks amazing

 

wynonna!  Love, love, love her.  Don’t need to ask how the concert was.  Her voice is amazing. 
 

how did you find st Thomas on a land based trip?  My sister and I did a quick girls trip at the Marriott now westin.   While the beach we traveled to was great, I didn’t care very much for the service.  

[CruiszBug]

1 minute ago, Ozark_Kid said:

@singinalot Here is the movie converted to mp4.  

 

 

Beautiful!

[Ozark_Kid]

13 minutes ago, singinalot said:

Hello friends & family!

Many of you know I tried to follow along on the live cruise a couple of weeks ago but other than that have been quite absent. Life has definitely gotten in the way these past months.

 

I do think of you all often and will be thinking of some of you more so after seeing these recent posts. ❤️

 

Our pool was started January 9 and finished on March 17

 

IMG_2035.MOV 14.84 MB · 1 download  

 

 

 

 

We are still finishing the landscaping, but enjoyed our first pool party last weekend.

 

I am now working 2 jobs…remember that job I left in CO? well, my replacement quit and they asked me to work remotely while they search again…imaginethat 😉 

We did the St Thomas trip in February, I went to a Wynonna concert, Clearwater, and my best friend and her daughter came in town for a week.

 

I can officially say I do have a couple trips planned finally:

St Augustine girls weekend in June

Turkey in August

 

Many cousins just booked Icon of the Seas for next March and we are looking at joining them

Great to see you again!  Sounds like you are sooo busy.  I love the pool.  Looks like it would be a cool place for the Dani family to meet.

Thanks for sharing.