Carnival Venezia 29 Sep-14 Oct 2023

[JOHN 57]

11 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

John - where in Bahamas are you going?

Good morning Haljo1935, how are you? We will be on Carnival Dream 6-14 May, and we will be going to in the Bahamas  Freeport (Port Lucaya), Half Moon Cay, Nassau.  Oh, yes first stop is Key West.

 

[JOHN 57]

Good morning everyone, 180 days to go, 57 till our ship sails from Barcelona, 72 till 13 June when our ship arrives in New York.

 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, JOHN 57 said:

Good morning Haljo1935, how are you? We will be on Carnival Dream 6-14 May, and we will be going to in the Bahamas  Freeport (Port Lucaya), Half Moon Cay, Nassau.  Oh, yes first stop is Key West.

 

Hey John - good to hear all is well enough for you to cruise.

Please update as to whether or not you actually ported at Key West. It was cancelled on my last couple itineraries and many others have reported the same.

[JOHN 57]

Hello, my numbers are up and increased by 8 points, so we are going to take a chance.  Yes, for now Key West is on the itineariey, if by some chance if Key West cancelled, would another port be added.

 

[Haljo1935]

18 minutes ago, JOHN 57 said:

Hello, my numbers are up and increased by 8 points, so we are going to take a chance.  Yes, for now Key West is on the itineariey, if by some chance if Key West cancelled, would another port be added.

 

On one trip another port was added, it was Bemini, but that ended up being cancelled and replaced with a 2nd day in Curacao. The other time, it was not replaced, so we had 1 less port/1 more sea day. Both times we didn't learn of the change for Key West until we were already on board.

Disappointing as we like a little time in Key West without making it a trio by itself.

[JOHN 57]

Key West is nice, but prefer someplace, that I havenot been and that is Bahamas.  On my kidney disease, my scores improved from 25 to 33.  The problem is that my immune system is attacking itself, and nobody knows exactly why, there are guesses, but nothing that can be proven.Diet and losartan seemed to have help.  It is so hard to pass up a good steak, but have to stay away from red meat.  No drinking at all, and that hurts, but has to be.  Decision was made to stay home and be worried and upset or to go out and do something,,, so we chose to cruise again, so as to take my mindoff of my probems.  I was 200, now down to 177.  At any rate looking forward to the cruise, and we have insurance, so anything goes wrong.  Sorry to trouble you with my problems.

 

[JOHN 57]

On 11/16/2022 at 2:51 PM, JOHN 57 said:

My cruise history

Carnival Conquest 7 Dec 2008

                Conquest 6 Dec 09

                Victory 15 May 2011

                 Conquest 2 Apr 2013

MSC Musica Apr 2017

Holland America Volenda 18-25 Sep 2018

Celebrity Summit 1-8 Dec 18

Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas 2-11 Jan 16

                               Grandeur of the Seas 15-19 Aug 22

Booked

Carnival Celebration 5 Mar

                Venezia 29 Sep

Royal Caribbean Adventures of Seas 14 Jan

add to the list Carnival Liberty,almost forgot that one.

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 179 days to go.

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 178 days to go.

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 177 days to go.

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 176 days to go

 

[JOHN 57]

Just imagine it is 29 Sep and you just stepped onto our ship.  What are the first things, that you would do.  I would try to drop off our bags, but I relaize that might not be possible till 1330, attend the fire drill, and eat at the buffet.  I will be so hungry.

 

[Jamman54]

9 hours ago, JOHN 57 said:

Just imagine it is 29 Sep and you just stepped onto our ship.  What are the first things, that you would do.  I would try to drop off our bags, but I relaize that might not be possible till 1330, attend the fire drill, and eat at the buffet.  I will be so hungry.

 

 

Our usual routine. Have a drink at the Lobby Bar, do our muster drill, drop off our bags at our cabin, and go have lunch. 

[JOHN 57]

7 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

 

Our usual routine. Have a drink at the Lobby Bar, do our muster drill, drop off our bags at our cabin, and go have lunch. 

yes, getting the muster drill over with is a good idea, and lunch cannot forget that.  Plus off bags.

[JOHN 57]

good morning 175 days to go

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 174 days to go

 

[retltrcrr]

On 4/1/2023 at 9:50 AM, JOHN 57 said:

Key West is nice, but prefer someplace, that I havenot been and that is Bahamas.  On my kidney disease, my scores improved from 25 to 33.  The problem is that my immune system is attacking itself, and nobody knows exactly why, there are guesses, but nothing that can be proven.Diet and losartan seemed to have help.  It is so hard to pass up a good steak, but have to stay away from red meat.  No drinking at all, and that hurts, but has to be.  Decision was made to stay home and be worried and upset or to go out and do something,,, so we chose to cruise again, so as to take my mindoff of my probems.  I was 200, now down to 177.  At any rate looking forward to the cruise, and we have insurance, so anything goes wrong.  Sorry to trouble you with my problems.

 

I can relate to your kidney disease.  Since it has been diagnosed as auto-immune has it been named?  I have membranous nephropathy, currently in full remission, which is also an auto-immune kidney disease only diagnosed after a kidney biopsy.  I assume you've had one. I was fortunate enough to be seen at the Mayo Clinic.  I'm assuming yours is not membranous as you are able to lose weight, while even with the losartan (blood pressure med that aids in processing protein) and lasix ( a diuretic) I retained nearly unbearable amounts of fluid.  The similarities to your meds and diet make me wonder though.  Do you know your protein count (urine & blood) as those were more important than kidney function numbers in my case?   You're near Houston so I'm assuming you are in good hands medically.  I'll be watching for updates from you.  Take care and keep going.  I never stopped either.

[retltrcrr]

On 4/5/2023 at 8:18 AM, JOHN 57 said:

Just imagine it is 29 Sep and you just stepped onto our ship.  What are the first things, that you would do.  I would try to drop off our bags, but I relaize that might not be possible till 1330, attend the fire drill, and eat at the buffet.  I will be so hungry.

 

Me again with a Carnival question.  I've been sailing only Holland America since cruising resumed after the Covid break.  Their life boat drill is a video that plays on your TV and a room key scan at your designated muster station at your leisure.  No life jackets, speeches, etc.  Has Carnival adopted the same program as their sister line?

[Haljo1935]

43 minutes ago, retltrcrr said:

Me again with a Carnival question.  I've been sailing only Holland America since cruising resumed after the Covid break.  Their life boat drill is a video that plays on your TV and a room key scan at your designated muster station at your leisure.  No life jackets, speeches, etc.  Has Carnival adopted the same program as their sister line?

That was our experience on Carnival Dec 2021; haven't been on Carnival since then, but they have said a couple times they don't have plans on going back to full muster anytime soon, so I believe it is still that way. Hoping so!

[JOHN 57]

12 hours ago, retltrcrr said:

I can relate to your kidney disease.  Since it has been diagnosed as auto-immune has it been named?  I have membranous nephropathy, currently in full remission, which is also an auto-immune kidney disease only diagnosed after a kidney biopsy.  I assume you've had one. I was fortunate enough to be seen at the Mayo Clinic.  I'm assuming yours is not membranous as you are able to lose weight, while even with the losartan (blood pressure med that aids in processing protein) and lasix ( a diuretic) I retained nearly unbearable amounts of fluid.  The similarities to your meds and diet make me wonder though.  Do you know your protein count (urine & blood) as those were more important than kidney function numbers in my case?   You're near Houston so I'm assuming you are in good hands medically.  I'll be watching for updates from you.  Take care and keep going.  I never stopped either.

Hello, and good to hear from soneone, who has gone through a similar problem.  It is comforting, that I am not alone in the boat.  Yes, I did the biopsy, and doctor said immune system attacking itself, why an unknown.  A name not much is known about the problem for now.  The numbers far as I know, Protein, total, random UR 65 H.  EGFR 33, tht is the latest test result, and see doctor on 10th of this month.  She will schedule another blood test.  What else she will do, I do not know.  I was 177, but back to 181.  Was some time ago 200.  Concerning a diet no red meat, alchol, no other restrictions.  Have to watch other foods.  My doctor is Dr Madhavi Vuppali. Looking forward to hearing from you. 

[JOHN 57]

Good morning to everyone, 173 days to go.

[JOHN 57]

12 hours ago, retltrcrr said:

I can relate to your kidney disease.  Since it has been diagnosed as auto-immune has it been named?  I have membranous nephropathy, currently in full remission, which is also an auto-immune kidney disease only diagnosed after a kidney biopsy.  I assume you've had one. I was fortunate enough to be seen at the Mayo Clinic.  I'm assuming yours is not membranous as you are able to lose weight, while even with the losartan (blood pressure med that aids in processing protein) and lasix ( a diuretic) I retained nearly unbearable amounts of fluid.  The similarities to your meds and diet make me wonder though.  Do you know your protein count (urine & blood) as those were more important than kidney function numbers in my case?   You're near Houston so I'm assuming you are in good hands medically.  I'll be watching for updates from you.  Take care and keep going.  I never stopped either.

Looked it up and it is very close to what you have, if not the same thing.  I will ask my doctor about that. I am also taking closteroil (sorry about spelling) medication.  

Oh, are you on the cruise with us?  Have you used cruise mate.

 

[retltrcrr]

3 hours ago, JOHN 57 said:

Looked it up and it is very close to what you have, if not the same thing.  I will ask my doctor about that. I am also taking closteroil (sorry about spelling) medication.  

Oh, are you on the cruise with us?  Have you used cruise mate.

 

Your doctor should definitely give you the name of your disease so you can research and aid in your treatment.  As with me in the beginning, you are treating your symptoms, cholesterol & blood pressure.  You need to look beyond.  Ask "What comes next to redirect your immune system if it doesn't self correct?"  Don't stop at your kidney function numbers.  Albumin, protein, bun are all numbers you should learn to understand.  Ask about a 24 hour urine catch to pinpoint these because simple blood and urine tests don't tell the whole picture.  I'll check back to see how your next appointment goes, but please be proactive with your questions to your doctor.

 

Yes, I am booked on this cruise with you.  I've been loyal to Holland America for quite a few years so I haven't sailed Carnival in ages.  The new ship design and a casino offer were too good to pass up.  I've been to half the stops but excited to see some new ones.  Leaving from NYC was also an attraction.  I may go in a day or two before the cruise. Undecided as my usual cruising companion has backed out on me, so I'm currently looking for a replacement.  If not, I'll sail alone.  I find solo sailing very restful.  I have not used cruise mate but will look it up. 

 

Here's my formal introduction:  I'm Harriet and lived in Texas the majority of my life.  El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Galveston, McKinney, McAllen and Austin, every part but the panhandle.  I raised my 2 boys in New Braunfels between San Antonio & Austin.  One lives in Austin with his wife now and the other I live with here in Mexico City with his wife and my 3 granddaughters.  Now we've met online and hopefully will meet in person in September.  Take care.

Edited April 8, 2023 by retltrcrr

[JOHN 57]

2 minutes ago, retltrcrr said:

Your doctor should definitely give you the name of your disease so you can research and aid in your treatment.  As with me in the beginning, you are treating your symptoms, cholesterol & blood pressure.  You need to look beyond.  Ask "What comes next to redirect your immune system if it doesn't self correct?"  Don't stop at your kidney function numbers.  Albumin, protein, bun are all numbers you should learn to understand.  Ask about a 24 hour urine catch to pinpoint these because simple blood and urine tests don't tell the whole picture.  I'll check back to see how your next appointment goes, but please be proactive with your questions to your doctor.

 

Yes, I am booked on this cruise with you.  I've been loyal to Holland America for quite a few years so I haven't sailed Carnival in ages.  The new ship design and a casino offer were too good to pass up.  I've been to half the stops but excited to see some new ones.  Leaving from NYC was also an attraction.  I may go in a day or two before the cruise. Undecided as my usual cruising companion has backed out on me, so I'm currently looking for a replacement.  If not, I'll sail alone.  I find solo sailing very restful.  I have not used cruise mate but will look it up. 

 

Here's my formal introduction:  I'm Harriet and lived in Texas the majority of my life.  El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Galveston, McKinney and Austin, every part but the panhandle.  I raised my 2 boys in New Braunfels between San Antonio & Austin.  One lives in Austin with his wife now and the other I live with here in Mexico City with his wife and my 3 granddaughters.  Now we've met online and hopefully will meet in person in September.  Take care.

did a 24 urine hour urine test last time.  Monday doctor visit and have lots of questions.  Thank you for your help.

 

[JOHN 57]

good morning 172 days to go