Greenmomma

I don't mind the rockin' and a rollin' of the ship and appreciate it in music hall. Will work that to our advantage and sail when others don't want to. The luxury of having grown kids and not tied to school schedules.

Yes, and one of the reasons we continue to sail on Anthem. She has been tested. Was just on the 1/7/18 sailing and at Capt's Corner, the Chief Engineer, whose name escapes me, said in all his 30 years of sailing, that was his worst night.

All the things I posted are coming up on my time hop. After all was said and done, my daughter and I had a great time. We made the best of it.

Great to hear pain was less than pre surgery and the fact your "tubes" were fine by week 4/5, I think I be ok, many thanks and yes, I will bring the brace with me just in case. You have no idea how much you and the others have helped me.

Good luck with the surgery and enjoy the cruise. Let us know how you make out.

Greenmomma thank you so much! I think that is what I most afraid of, them moving all my "tubes".....but would you say week four or five you were ok with that part? I been trying to loose 10 pounds!!!! I think I got my answer how lol hahahaha

No issues with my "tubes" by week four or five. I am confident that you will be able to do this. Use common sense, don't overdo. You will have limited range of motion but, I still do nearly three years later. As far as pain goes, the pain from the surgery was far less and shoet lived vs the pain pre surgery.

Again I truly appreciate your comments, encouragement and telling me of your experiences and telling me to go.

 

Colorado Babe- Yes, know about the artificial one but there are no long term studies and there is risk of recalls so I believe this is why my surgeon prefers the older method (not saying its the right one everybody is different, we just have to trust our surgeons, but I did get three surgeons opinions and they all agree so maybe my situation may be different than yours was but so glad your doing good!!!

 

Steven- Three surgicans have told me the injections will be temporary, once you stop everything all comes back. Remember the longer you have it the more damage you can get and eventually it be irreversible the damage..... I already lost the use of three toes on left foot and three fingers on left hand (fortunately my forefinger and thumb are fine so I am able to function and type here and use my hands with these two fingers) and I lost one finger on the right side not mentioning all the pain in neck down shoulder, forearms and back and now I am getting headaches so its time before the damage gets irreversible, in fact, I have so much nerve damage nobody knows whether its the certain types of nerves that over time can heal like within a year or its nerves that will not heal...but what I am trying to say, fix your problem now and yes, by July comes you be all over it and healed for the cruise. I am bad right now plus even if I wanted to hold it off until after my cruise I have my usual two week vacation in July in Aruba which is more important to me as we go with family together every year and I want to be healed by then, so I must get the surgery now. I do have to say, make sure you get a second and third opinion, its a very serious surgery.....you be fine and you be all healed for your cruise, so take care of yourself!

 

Eileen- Wow, did you have one level or two? Wow good for you and good to hear your news!

 

Greenmomma- I wonder why I have to have the neck brace and you didn't? I THINK he said I could sleep without it, I go friday to him as he wants to answer more questions of mine, I guess wearing it just as a precaution....I do have a question, did you have noice problems and swallowing problems and if so, how long did that last, so would you say by week 4 the worse should be over?

 

OneCruiser- Your so right.....I have fibromyalgia as well as a couple other autoimmune disorders so my concern is that my body will reject the fusion but I have to give it a try. Never been a smoker, read if you smoke after surgery that isn't good outcome...the surgeon wants me to get up and walk every 20 minutes, I have no idea if I be up to that, I deal with fibromyalgia pain also and I am currently off my anti-inflammatory medication (because I cannot have it two weeks before the surgery and three months after!!!!) and I feeling all the fibro pains too ugh! Surgeons instructions is not to lift anything over 10 pounds after the first month, you be sure I times that by three months!! LOL. Thank you for telling me your story and glad your all good!!

With regard to the brace, I just think each surgeon has their own opinion. I was given one at the hospital but when the surgeon saw it he said I didn't need it. My voice was a little husky for a while but not terrible. I sounded pretty sexy for a whike. There was some sore throat, difficulty swallowing for a few weeks. After all, they move your esophagus out of the way. It wasn't terrible. I did lose about ten pounds. The surgeon laughed and said it's common. I thanked him. Lol.

I may have to have this surgery in about one month. The Dr. said to try one more epidural first. Have to say I am somewhat terrified at the prospect. Have a cruise on the Anthem planned for July and figured I'd be fine to go by then. To those who have had it how did the surgery go? Was it as bad as it seems? Thanks.

Not bad at all and helped me tremendously. You'll be good to go by July.

Greenmomma- Thank you for mentioning about your surgery, I don't know anybody who had it so I can't ask the so many questions I have about what happens after the surgery, I only know the details what my surgeon told me. I am so glad and assuming correctly the surgery did help you and worked. I will use porters as I realize its not allowed that soon to even roll luggage but I may bring my brace, I won't need it for after the first three weeks, but just in case I need to keep my head still for whatever reason I will have it with me.

You're welcome. I'll answer anything you like. I didn't have a neck brace post surgery. I did have to wear a bone stimulator for a few months post surgery and did have physical therapy. You'll be just fine. Relax and enjoy the cruise. You'll have a very good excuse to be waited on hand and foot!

I had 3 level c4 - c7 acdf in March of 2015. I was out of work, on short term disability for ten weeks so from that stand point, disability ins would not have permitted the travel. However, physically I could have cruised as you describe. No lifting, use porters, no iFly or Flowrider. But sitting, eating, drinking, gambling I could have handled.

Try to book a reservation earlier in the cruise rather than later as there is a good chance of cancellation due to weather. If your res is earlier and cancelled at least you have a shot at going up later in the cruise. Also consider the view at sea versus in port.

You can read through old threads about the sailing, like this one: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2314558&page=10&highlight=feb+6+anthem

Thanks Biker19, somehow I missed this at the time but just read through. Very accurate accounting.

I was wondering, two years later, what others remember now. The Super Bowl brings it up for us since it was Super Bowl Sunday that we hit the storm.

Just for the record, after all that happened, we had a good time, met great people and were pleased with how the crew, staff and RCCL treated us throughout. And we love Anthem. She's been stress tested!

I'm on board. I'll go look tomorrow.

Not to hijack such a lovely post, but are there a lot of kids on board Merion Mom? Did this week two years ago and there were not, to my recollection. But wondering now after reading other posts. For 2019 sailings, prices for this week are much lower than the previous two.

Silent disco. Lots of fun whether a dancer or a voyeur. Two channels, blue or green. Choose the one that speaks to you. Just do it. :)

Just to add, we've had it hosted both in the Music Hall and 270 so keep an eye out.

Silent disco. Lots of fun whether a dancer or a voyeur. Two channels, blue or green. Choose the one that speaks to you. Just do it. :)

My daughter and I were on her, my first Anthem cruise actually (been back three times since). I have a couple memories from that cruise. We never lost the Super Bowl feed in our cabins. While I was "nervous", I never felt unsafe. The worst part was hearing the concern in Capt Anderson's voice and thereafter having Abe make the announcements. It was interesting to watch people's reactions and how they changed from Monday morning (sort of a zombie vibe), Tuesday (yay! We survived let's party), Wednesday (cranky, just let me off this friggin' boat already). Anyone else?

What's the "parrot" thing?

There are street vendors with live parrots. You hold them and they take your picture for ten dollars for one picture. The guy we used had ten parrots and posed my daughter about forty different ways holding some or all of the parrots. Up and down her arms, on her head, on her butt, with swords, a sign that said San Juan etc. He was great, and it was fun. We had quite the crowd around oohing and ahing. No dummy the guy, we ended up buying 3 pictures for 25. You look at them on his laptop and pick the ones you want and he prints them.

It was free on Anthem?!!!!!! Wow is all I can say!

Yes. Free on Anthem.

Cannot recall seeing Headline News onboard in a long time.

We had it on Anthem on the 1/7 sailing.

So CNN and Headline News are gone. Interesting. Thanks.

Coming off Anthem 1/19 my smaller suitcase was damaged. One wheel was crushed. Didn't notice because a porter loaded it on his cart and into our car. Having gotten home with it, I figure I'm out of luck. Being as it's 20 years old, I'm calling it good and took it as a sign to buy a new one. It's out by the trash as we speak and new one on order.

I think I know the agency you are referring to (or a similar one)...the theme just refers to the Broadway production on board. For example, if you look at the Oasis sailings, you'll see the theme is "CATS"...nothing more furry other than the specific production show!

Ok cool. Been on Anthem four times and enjoy WWRY but couldn't imagine a ship full of Freddies, despite my love for him. I pictured an Elvis like convention.

I'm ready to book my next cruise and usually just book directly with RCCL. Just thought I'd check a bit. Never find a significant price difference with TAs but like to look. An online TA, for the cruise I'm interested has this note: Theme Cruise: We Will Rock You - The spectacular Olivier Award-winning musical phenomenon WE WILL ROCK YOU, rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at London’s Dominion Theatre. Written by legendary comedian and author Ben Elton and with a score of killer Queen tunes such as Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break

What does this mean, theme cruise? We did this week/ship this year and weren't aware of any theme.

There was no mention of the Kids Sail Free in the notifications I received about February’s sales.

How do you receive notifications about Feb sales?

I'm on an iPad. Only happens on CC. Renders it unusable.

Just mentioned that didn't like menu that night. Manager offered to serve filet. Also missed lobster night when ate at wounderland. Coastal sent lobster tails to specialty restaurant to serve with our dinner. Will never book for MDR again. Tipped waiter and manager extra $$ on last night.

Reuben, the Maitre D, Kevin, the host, and our waiter K(eshimir) in CK on Anthem two weeks ago were a highlight of our cruise.

Nice. In the Capt's Corner pic, the only difference from two weeks ago is the Capt!