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

[dani negreanu]

@ReneeFLL

 

Renee & Mike, wishing you an enjoyable cruise to "down under".

 

Pls. drop by with some pics and musings 😘

[sgmn]

On 10/11/2022 at 12:54 AM, LucasLikesToCruise said:

 

Good evening everyone,  

I’ve been thinking about the best way to respond since Dani first asked about a month ago. I started to and deleted many replies.  Then when Sunshine asked I figured I would take a few minutes to myself, which I really haven’t had the past couple of months, and join the conversation again. 

The past couple of months have been really hectic and kept me quite busy and frustrated.  From the end of July to the last part of August I had to call EMS twice due to my moms Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis. For a little old lady (barely 5 foot tall on a good day) with dyskinesia from the Parkinson’s she sure could go from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde with no warning.  During the second time in The hospital she was started on Nuplazid, which is specifically for the hallucinations and delusions of PDP.  Since it usually takes four weeks before the effects of Nuplazid are seen, the plan was for her to go to a rehab facility for a few weeks to help build up her strength again as well and work on the doses of her other Parkinson’s meds and Seroquel and Haldol to help with the delusions.  

She was in a good mood when I took her to the rehab place the first evening, she ate well and settled into bed alright.  Well, the next day when I went there, she was a totally different person.  I just didn’t know what else to do anymore, I was beyond frustrated and exhausted from taking care of her 24/7 the past few years.  I spoke with the case manager there about options.  I said I can do almost everything myself with  her at home except when she goes bat ***** crazy on me.  That’s I hated having to call 911 but didn’t have any other options at the time.  She suggested going with a Hospice/Palliative care regimen.  With that we would have all the support that I needed to take care of her at home.  Especially since the last scans showed that the lastest chemo treatments were no longer keeping the tumors in check.  The only other treatments for trip,e negative metastatic breast cancer is very aggressive, and her body wouldn’t tolerate it any longer.

So it’s been about two months now since we’ve started hospice, and she is slowly goi g down hill.  Seems everyday I notice her a bit slower with thinking, moving and talking.  It’s just the nature of the beast with Parkinson’s, dimentia and cancer.  So far the nurse comes twice a week and an aid comes twice a week to help with bathing so it doesn’t fall completely on me.  There are several others in the office for the case manager or social workers that call and check up on how I am doing with everything.  This is the first time in all the years that I have been taking care of her 24/7 that anyone (including family)has asked how I am doing or if there is anything they can do for me.  

Anyways, I didn’t want to this to be long and drawn out, but sometimes I just can’t shut up, maybe it’s because I only have Oliver to talk to on a daily basis for so long LOL.  And I thought that maybe if anyone else is going through that same sort of thing with their fa,I.y members that I could possibly help with any questions.  One thing I will say for sure, hospice is nothing like I thought it was.  
 

So, this has been my life the last few months.  Now that I have a chance to come up for air, I’ll be more likely to join in the regular conversations although I didn’t have any trips planned for obvious reason.😎

 

 

So sorry to hear you've been going through it these last few months. I hope you're getting lots of support. When our elderly loved ones have a dementia or other serious disease it's so painfully for the children.

I hope you find time to take care of yourself properly 

[sgmn]

21 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Oasis, followed by Symphony 

 

But our newest favorite is Odyssey 

 

Allure should be nice once the finally do her drydock. Look to book her in a few years

Think we have Symphony next summer over here, may book it. I usually cruise for the ports, so usually the smaller ships but would like to try oasis size (we only did a five day on Allure just after the last big dry dock seven years ago)

[sgmn]

13 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Just wanted to mention that I spent 4 hours in the ER today with fears that I broke something near my toes on the foot with the ankle surgery. I developed pain,, I mean extreme pain in that area.  I could only hobble, not walk.  I was thrilled at the results; no fracture but lots of inflammation. So, back to wearing the dreaded boot while walking and ice the area when I don't walk.  Next week is a follow up podiatrist visit to see what will be next.

 

ER doc said it's common with post foot surgical patients when they attempt to walk after being non weight bearing for 6 weeks as I was.

 

BTW the ER doc never looked or touched my foot.  I only took my shoe off for the xrays and put it back on immediately after.  I guess the xrays told the whole picture.

 

No more torture PT sessions until after the Podiatrist follow up visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope your foot gets better soon and podiatrist sorts it out. 

 

[grapau27]

Good morning.

It is breezy at the beach this morning.

I hope everyone is well and have a great day.

[Sunshine3601]

8 hours ago, LucasLikesToCruise said:

  This allows them to have whatever medical supplies and medications here for their need during their visit or for my use to control her when needed.   The bedside table looks like opioids dealers dream LOL.  The liquid morphine does come in handy.  
 

 

Please do yourself a favor and either put the drugs on bedside table into a drawer or maybe one of those plastic shoebox tubs with lid they sell at dollar stores.   The last thing you want is Olliver knocking over meds or finding something on the floor that he accidently injests.  

This was recommended by a Hospice nurse when we did at home hospice for my Dad since their cat spent all day in bed with him. 

[dani negreanu]

2 hours ago, sgmn said:

Think we have Symphony next summer over here, may book it.

 

Yes, she is, from late April until the end of October, either from Barcelona or Rome.

 

The itinerary is "nothing to write home about", but we've done it just for the ship when Allure was here in 2015. From Rome. The easiest embarkation and debarkation ever 😁

[grapau27]

10 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

I went to the doctor today that I waited 6 months to see.I was not expecting a miracle but I hope that he would be able to offer me some form of relief from the Parkinsons.

Ninety minutes of traveling in each direction .We arrived at the medical building and could not find parking.We saw a Valet sign and went to the area but nobody was working there .Then I saw a person leave a spot and we parked.

Less than two minutes to wait to see the doctor.I brought all my recent MRI reports plus the discs,all recent lab results ,all other recent test results.The doctor had absolutely no interest in seeing any of what I brought and no interest in what is ailing me.If I wanted to see him again his next opening was in June.Not a good day .

 

Sorry to hear this doctor was not interested in helping you Lenny.

Graham 

[Ocean Boy]

7 hours ago, NHProud said:

My SIL and BIL are so excited to have their flights booked to London for King Charles’s coronation .  They are fans of all things British.  Every year my b’day card has been bought in London .  

 

As much as I love London,  I don't think I'd like being there with the crowds that will be around for the event. Though I'm sure the spectacle would be exciting to see.

[Ocean Boy]

6 hours ago, brillohead said:

Sheesh, you guys.... I'm stuck with the internet on Explorer right now, which makes dial-up look like fiber optic in comparison, and you guys seem to be posting more than ever!  
 

Lets see, would I rather be home with my high speed internet or be on Explorer with its pre dial up era internet. Hummm, tough decision. Yeah. I'm feeling a lot of empathy for you.😁

 

Seriously though, the internet on Adventure drove me crazy so I actually do appreciate your frustration.

[Ocean Boy]

51 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Please do yourself a favor and either put the drugs on bedside table into a drawer or maybe one of those plastic shoebox tubs with lid they sell at dollar stores.   The last thing you want is Olliver knocking over meds or finding something on the floor that he accidently injests.  

This was recommended by a Hospice nurse when we did at home hospice for my Dad since their cat spent all day in bed with him. 

Actually a very good post.

[A&L_Ont]

9 hours ago, LucasLikesToCruise said:

Andrew, she is still at home.  Here we have the option of doing everything at home (depending on the medical diagnosis and care plan). So I am still with her 24/7.  The nurses and aids come here to assist.  This allows them to have whatever medical supplies and medications here for their need during their visit or for my use to control her when needed.   The bedside table looks like opioids dealers dream LOL.  The liquid morphine does come in handy.  

That’s a very well laid out plan, and it sounds to be making the world of difference to the good. 
 

We have a few different levels of care in our province.  Home care is similar but less complex.  Palliative home care is comparable to your mother’s care plan, with the last of one’s life be finished at home. This is what we did with our daughter.  Hospice palliative care here, is the same as you described above, only living in a centre/care home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

29 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

We have a few different levels of care in our province.  Home care is similar but less complex.  Palliative home care is comparable to your mother’s care plan, with the last of one’s life be finished at home. This is what we did with our daughter.  Hospice palliative care here, is the same as you described above, only living in a centre/care home.

 

I'm not sure that I ever knew that.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Lets see, would I rather be home with my high speed internet or be on Explorer with its pre dial up era internet. Hummm, tough decision. Yeah. I'm feeling a lot of empathy for you.😁

 

Seriously though, the internet on Adventure drove me crazy so I actually do appreciate your frustration.

Our 2 days each D+ free internet on Anthem last month  which we used on sea days was very good.

[h20skibum]

Time for a strange things I have seen in the last couple days story. 
 

Strange thing #1- We were driving home on the interstate on Monday, and saw a pickup truck with a utility trailer stopped along the shoulder.  The guy had evidently failed the “secure your load” class, because his brand new refrigerator was laying on it’s side in the trailer, and he was picking up pieces.  I am sure he was regretting not getting to $40 delivery fee.  I would not want to be him when he got home and his wife saw that!

 

Strange thing #2- I had to pick up some supplies for equipment maintenance, and drop them at my house.  On my way from there, back to my daughter’s house, I see a lot of flashing lights along the road, about 1/4 mile from our place.  Five police cars and three wildlife officer cars, and everyone is out, with their rifles drawn.  So, either they spotted the black bear that has been roaming, or they were going after a poacher. 
 

Not so strange thing from this morning.  I saw these guys.  They were either chasing a couple chickens, because they had a question for them, or they heard it is getting closer to Thanksgiving. 
 

 

Anyhow, they were hurrying across the road. 

Edited October 12, 2022 by h20skibum

[TravelGirlinDallas]

8 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Could have been a quadfecta night if Seattle could have held a 9th inning lead against Houston.

There were some ecstatic Astros fans in my house last night (Brian & Andrew) after that walk-off HR to win the game.

Edited October 12, 2022 by TravelGirlinDallas

[TravelGirlinDallas]

9 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Well it's going to be down to the wire. I was hoping when I heard the news of a new iPhone 14Pro Max with it's 48 mega pixels camera I could get one before my Liberty sailing this weekend. I ordered it but was told that they would not ship until after I would have left. Now it seems that it has shipped. Apple say it will arrive while on the cruise. UPS the carrier says I should get it by this Thursday before 7PM. I've got me fingers crossed that it comes on Thursday before we leave early Friday morning. It would be nice to do a Live review with the new iPhone and its new camera. The only problem will be uploading the raw photos because each photo could be 50-100mb's. So we shall see.

Here's hoping it arrives just in time! I'm curious to see how the photos turn out.

[A&L_Ont]

54 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I'm not sure that I ever knew that.

I’ve never really mentioned it before, but we had to make a tough decision of going to the hospital or to stay at home during the final days of her life. We decided that we wanted Allie’s last days to be at home over a hospital.  She passed away in our living room with Lisa, Owen and I beside, her along with the help of her nursing team. 

[Ocean Boy]

6 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’ve never really mentioned it before, but we had to make a tough decision of going to the hospital or to stay at home during the final days of her life. We decided that we wanted Allie’s last days to be at home over a hospital.  She passed away in our living room with Lisa, Owen and I beside, her along with the help of her nursing team. 

The pieces of this story always move me. Thank you for sharing that. 😪

[xpcdoojk]

12 hours ago, Lionesss said:

 

ty

 

Just what I need to know. 

 

Just an FYI, Uber and Lyft may or may not take you directly to the drop off point.  

 

Our experience in May with Uber was a bit odd.  The first woman in her small car full of her personal stuff showed up at our Hotel Hilton Galveston Island Resort, and saw our two suitcases and my FlowBoard bag, and quickly decided she didn’t want us.  The porter /bell hop at the hotel said he had never seen that in all of his time at the hotel.  We then booked another car all of this near 9:30-10AM since we had the Key.  There was a coast guard inspection going on so everything was a bit on a slow path.  Then next uber showed up with another woman, we loaded in.  She told us that the port people hassle Uber rides later in the morning.  So, she doesn’t do trips to the ship after about 11:30.  We got to Harbor Drive and she said, this is where we are supposed to drop you (several hundred yards from the entrance to the ship).  She then drove us right up to the door, where there was a line for suites, pinnacle and Key and another line.  Check in was painless, everyone was moved to a waiting area on the second floor until the coast guard inspection ended.  I used this 45-60 minutes to book all of our shows for the week using the app.  Then armed with this information I was able to hook up with a specialty restaurant person and book our 5 nights dining package, which meant 3 nights in Giovannis and 2 in Chops (Adventure of the Seas).

 

I know they were opening up another pier for the Allure for later in the season, the above advice/experience may not apply to that pier.  

 

JC

[h20skibum]

5 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

The pieces of this story always move me. Thank you for sharing that. 😪

+1 @A&L_Ont   That is something a parent should never have to go through. 

[xpcdoojk]

22 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’ve never really mentioned it before, but we had to make a tough decision of going to the hospital or to stay at home during the final days of her life. We decided that we wanted Allie’s last days to be at home over a hospital.  She passed away in our living room with Lisa, Owen and I beside, her along with the help of her nursing team. 

Good for you.  That is hard.

[George C]

40 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

There were some ecstatic Astros fans in my house last night (Brian & Andrew) after that walk-off HR to win the game.

As a Yankee fan , I totally dislike Astros, was really surprised that Verlander who I believe is the best pitcher in baseball was knocked out. 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

27 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’ve never really mentioned it before, but we had to make a tough decision of going to the hospital or to stay at home during the final days of her life. We decided that we wanted Allie’s last days to be at home over a hospital.  She passed away in our living room with Lisa, Owen and I beside, her along with the help of her nursing team. 

I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember you shared some of Allie's story in one of your cruise reviews, including some photos of your sweet girl. 

[Ozark_Kid]

7 hours ago, MJSailors said:

Your dear Kenzie is a beautiful child with a loving heart. She must light up a room wherever she goes. You and your family are blessed to have her in your lives.

Thanks so much!  All the GKs are a blessing.   Kenzie, Albrey and Caden spent last night with us. They are playing Uno with Shashey now.  So fun.

 

I forgot to tell what happened a couple weekends ago.  The whole family went to watch Zander play football.   Finnley dressed for the occasion. 

 

Kenzie was hanging with her cousins. They told Kenzie to ask Gpa about ifly, 

 

A couple days later she was at the house.  Gpa, come in here.

 

Gpa, is this like iFly?

 

It's not on the ground......

Like this?

 

Legs up more..... Like this?

 

Yes, that's it!

The cousins said you can give iFLY rides.

 

Well....

Come on Gpa, let's do it!