WELDON

Hi Lois, Oh no. I am so sorry to hear this. I'm glad you don't have any pain from the kidney stone. I had one and it was really painful. I will be thinking of you and hoping for good news. Keep your spirits up. Definitely keep up posted.

Yes, this condition is super painful. I know it can take a couple of days for the cortisone shot to work. As you know, traveling alone requires adjustments. I need to be able to lift and handle luggage on my own. When I had a traveling partner, I didn't think twice about what I was taking. I learned I can take less and still have enough.

The bag I have is 40 years old. I don't think these are made any more. The brand is Sasson. Is there a Ross Stores near you? They have a big luggage dept. and I have seen bags similar to what I have. It is a small/medium duffle bag made out of a heavier nylon. The bag I have wears like iron. Its been everywhere. My friend also bought one and hers is going strong, too. This morning I had an emergency podiatry appointment. For a few weeks, I have had pain on the top of my foot, second toe. It gradually became worse to the point I could barely walk and had severe pain. Also the area was discolored, similar to a bruise. I had an x-ray and it showed I have capsulitis, an inflation of the ligament. I got a cortisone shot. I was getting worried because my cruise is coming up and no way could I go if I could not walk.

Hi Lois, I travel with a 20" carryon and a zipped small/medium nylon duffel. I carry my luggage on and off the ship so I need something I can handle. This is also works for me on flights. Yesterday I checked in for my cruise and chose the 10:30-11 time slot. I remember from past experiences, the hotel shuttle to the pier arrived early.

To lx200 GPS - May I make a suggestion as to staying in Woburn instead of Burlington? Woburn is not very far up the road from Burlington. There is something called Logan Express. The bus goes directly to the airport. You then take Silver Line 1, go to the first station in the tunnel and transfer to Silver Line 2. Silver Line 2 goes to the pier. Parking at Logan Express lots is $7 per day. There are a lot of hotels in Woburn.

Happy Birthday, Lois. My condolences to you and your sister. I'm sure your sister would like to be with family at this difficult time.

The sofa beds are not comfortable for adults. They usually pull out from under the sofa. Also they are not are high as a bed. Will this be a problem for the woman traveling with you? This is a 10 night cruise so your companion should be comfortable and be able to sleep. 3 adults in the cabin will be tight. How about splitting the bed into 2 twins and everyone can take a turn on the sofa bed (3 nights for two of you and 4 for another)?

Good to hear Les is home and now needs to recuperate from retina surgery. Hoping everything goes well for him.

Melody, Sorry to hear about this. I'm sure you weren't expecting this news. You never know with a fall. Hoping your recovery will go well.

I would want my own room, too. I have looked at national park tours but nothing caught me eye. You won't know if you like something unless you try it.

Hi Lois, I looked at the ES website and noticed they are part of Hilton. I called and booked a room and cancelled BW. The best part is I used Hilton points. I always get a refundable rate. When I searched for hotels close to Newark Airport with port shuttle, ES did not show up.

Hi Lois, I was just looking at the East Coast departures board and saw you were looking for info on hotels and car service to the port. I am staying at the Best Western Newark Airport because they offer shuttle service to the port. It is $30 and you tell them when you check in. I have stayed there before and had no problem. There were also other cruisers in the shuttle, too.

I feel fine. I monitor my BP and record the numbers per MD's instructions. I just need to get the right balance of meds/no meds to keep the numbers steady. Going off the BP meds seems to have helped.

Hi Lois, I was just on the Celebrity board and saw you booked a Bermuda cruise. I am also going to Bermuda/MV on 5/11 on Eclipse. This is a birthday cruise. I was originally booked on Epic to Alaska 5/31 but due to my recent health issue, I did not want long flights and to be so far away from home. I also want to make sure that things are holding steady. I have a problem with new BP meds. I called my MD Friday and he told me to take half a pill instead of whole one. Yesterday I had to call him because my readings are too low and my ankles were swollen (a side effect of the meds). He took me off the BP medication. I booked Alaska for next May, refundable just in case.

Besides a sewing kit, an eyeglass repair kit would be helpful to have at guest services. Here's what happened to me on one of my cruises. A lens came out of the frame of my glasses. I went to guest services to see if they had something to repair this. They did not but told me to go to the jewelry shop because they have small tools. They were also of no help. I ask my room steward if he had anything and he said no. As I was talking about this, a guest walked by and overheard my request. The guest had an eyeglass repair kit. He kindly fixed my glasses. I now take an old pair along just in case. When I received the survey after the cruise, I mentioned that having an eyeglass repair kit at guest services might be a good idea.

Melody - Glad you had a good trip even after falling. Good to hear you both made it home safely. Lois - Good news your numbers seem to be going in the right direction.

Lois, Why don't you call Celebrity?

Yes, either a 10 or 11 night, on the Island Princess.

Has anyone gone on or booked one of these cruises? I am looking at one in June.

I have heard of American Cruises. I know they are owned by Carnival. I don't know how their cruises are. Have you looked into American Queen, USA River Cruises and Viking?

Thank you everyone. During covid, I delayed going for treatment for a UTI. This turned into a serious blood infection and I was hospitalized for 3 days. After that, I never delay going to a doctor. I would rather go and be sent home for a false alarm than putting myself at risk. I find urgent care facilities are my first line in getting help. They will either treat you or tell you what you need to do if something is beyond their expertise.

Yes, I have an appt with the cardiologist I saw Thursday night.

Wednesday night, I had a medical incident. About 5 pm, my heart started racing. After about 1/1/2 hrs., I went to an urgent care and they did an EKG. It was abnormal and the MD told me to go to a hospital. I was at the hospital about 8:30 and they did an EKG, chest X-ray and blood work. The results showed an atrial flutter. I was admitted and had to wait for a bed. So I am in the ER waiting, then I was moved to the hallway, the I was moved to a room used as a holding room in the ER and then around 4 am, moved to another back hallway used only for patients and medical personnel.This hallway had 6 beds against a wall and also a chair. Each bed and chair was partitioned off. Since this was not a room, there was no TV, you could not order food (you got whatever the kitchen sent up). Sitting in a chair is more comfortable so I sat from Thursday AM until I a bed was ready at 9:30 Thursday night. I stared at a beige wall all day with nothing to do. All my tests were completed and came out fine. The last piece was staying Thursday night for additional blood tests. Early this morning, a couple of the nurses told me you are leaving soon. My nurse asked if I was ready to go and I got dressed quickly. My friend picked me up and I was home by 9:30. I am now taking Eliquis. That hospital was a nightmare. So many hours with nothing to do, no sleep, being moved multiple times, little food. The heart racing came on suddenly with no warning. I never had heart problems. If anything like this ever happens, go to an ER so you can be assessed. The hospital people told me I did the right thing and came in quickly. You just never know from one minute to the next what can happen.

The bread has raisins and cranberries. The description next to the bread uses the word stollen. It may not be an authentic recipe but it is similar. This is RC's interpretation of the bread.

That bread is a stollen. Yes, they do. If you don't see it, ask someone. On my cruise last month, it was near the muffins.