Never too old!

[CAC104]

Good to know he is safe with Steve.

[PartyOfOne]

From Egon to Yellowbird to you...

 

#2: July 13 2012

 

I am sitting on the completely sold out plane from Southampton to Toronto, squeezed in the middle seat of a row of three. When it came to seat assignment at Heathrow, I requested one at the bulkhead because it has a little more leg room but the only one available was this. On my left is a guy who watches football on the screen in front of him, drinks beer and hogs the armrest. On my right is a young woman with a cute 14-.month old little girl, who does not scream like other kids on board but squirms a lot and bumps into me and when her mother has her on the lap, the two of them frequently spill over the armrest touching or poking me. In the end I gave up trying to have a snooze, because even making myself as narrow as possible, I got it from both sides. The plane left over half an hour late. I was mighty grateful for the woolen jacket Sylvia had given me and wore it during the entire flight. And the morning went well: Olivia came with the taxi to pick me up at 7.30 and we got to Heathrow a little after 9, where her brother Ken met us, loaded all luggage on a trolley and had already organized a wheelchair with a driver and we four proceded to the correct check-in counter through huge numbers of travellers. Without this help of these wonderful long-range relations I really don't know how I would have managed. The excess baggage charge of 190 GBP was quite a shock, as you can imagine, but Olivia said that they orginally wanted to charge over 300 Pounds until she "intervened"! We still sat for a little while with coffee and bakery offered by Ken, before it was time for me to go through uneventful security and the plane, only to sit there for another 40 minutes before we took off.

Eight hours later, with a sigh of relief, we had landed.The last time I was at Toronto Pearson airport was last October and now it seemed twice as large! It sure was a long way for the woman to have to push the wheelchair I was in when I got off the plane after the 325 other passengers had left. First to collect the four pieces of checked baggage, get a porter to transport them through the customs control while I went through immigration - all uneventful but reduced Steve's inheritance by a further $ 15. There were almost three hours waiting time before the next flight, but I was happy to find free WiFi and even an electrical outlet and I sat in the wheelchair, sent out some emails and dealt with others. The flight to NorthBay only took about 3/4 hour, and there was Steve, looking great and very handsome with his neatly trimmed beard. So nice to see him again! But the welcome I received from Brandy when we got to the car was amazing, because she was all over me with the joy of seeing me - quite unbelievable and touching since the last time had been 9 months ago. And so to Torbay, where Steve and Joyce had prepared "my" little room, and of course the first I saw when entering the living/dining area was the beautiful, elegant and substantial new staircase Steve had designed and built, which leads to the now complete upstairs with two bedroom and a washroom/toilet. The big bedroom has a balcony overlooking the lake and this is just gorgeous.

 

14/15. July Because my future is so unsettled, I am more or less living out of suitcases, but did hang up my suits and some trousers. To get to see a specialist here requires that I be referred to one by a regular GP whom I can only see standing in line at a drop-in clinic, and this is happening this afternoon, with Joyce's help who will stand in line in my stead so that I'll be among the first of the total of 25 patients that will be seen. This morning Steve and I went to the office of the urologist to see whether the printed report I already have from the specialist in Southampton would substitute as a referral, but no dice. But this afternoon I saw the doctor at the clinic who will refer me to Dr. Goldfarb, the urologist, who is however on holiday and it may be a long time until I get to see him.

 

--

 

http://home.cablerocket.com/~egon/index.htm

 

The Staircase

 

Steve The Thinker

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.

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Edited July 18, 2012 by PartyOfOne

[Belle]

But sorry he has to wait till the Doc.

comes back from vacation. Sure he

wants to get this over with as soon

as possible.

[yellowbird23]

But sorry he has to wait till the Doc.

comes back from vacation. Sure he

wants to get this over with as soon

as possible.

I totally agree. I e-mailed him asking what his spirit is like right now. I know he is happy to see Steve and the dog.

[Cruisercl]

How sad that the medical care system is so poor in treating someone who may need help sooner than later. Edon, our prayers are still with you. :(

[Red State Sam]

For those of us who live in the U.S. - Remember this when they tell you how much you're going to LOVE Obamacare!

 

You would think they could cut some of the red tape for him since he has already been given a diagnosis!

[majorjan]

For those of us who live in the U.S. - Remember this when they tell you how much you're going to LOVE Obamacare!

 

You would think they could cut some of the red tape for him since he has already been given a diagnosis!

I totally agree!! I hope Egon gets his care as quickly as possible. And thanks to all of you for posting his ongoing adventures. I may not comment frequently, but have followed this adventure since the begining. My prayers to Egon and his recovery.

[Belle]

Know his son, maybe himself wanted

his operation at home (feel safer) but......

with what he told us before..He

could of had it done in England so

much faster!

 

My best wishes to him and hope the doctor

comes home fast!

[nonna5]

For those of us who live in the U.S. - Remember this when they tell you how much you're going to LOVE Obamacare!

 

You would think they could cut some of the red tape for him since he has already been given a diagnosis!

 

You are so so very correct.

[yellowbird23]

I received this message from Steve Landsberg this evening with sadness. I was about to leave Cruise Critics and have Doug continue with the updates, but have decided to stay. I am doing this for my friend Egon.

 

I will ask Doug to put up the picture that was enclosed with the e-mail.

 

Many prayers needed,

Pat

 

Hi, this is Steve Landsberg, Egon's son, writing to my father's English and German speaking 'Group' contacts who receive(d) his 'reports'.

I am sorry to tell you that early yesterday morning my father had a stroke here at home in North Bay. As you likely know from his reports, he abandoned his cruising to return home 11 days ago due to another medical emergency which would be better serviced in Canada than abroad.

Egon (95) is presently in hospital care here where he will remain for at least several more days. The good news is that he is physically, mentally, & cognitively unimpaired. However at this time he has entirely lost his speech and ability to write. I do not know how his musical ability might have been impacted. He is at this time also not able to select letters from the alphabet to compose words and is therefore unable to use a keyboard such as found on a computer.

As there are hundreds of contacts in his two 'groups', I am sure you can appreciate that I am not able to respond to any of your emails individually. When something more concrete develops over the next while I will again email a communique.

The attached pic is from the evening of his arrival, Friday the 13th.

Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. Regards ~ Steve

 

Edited July 25, 2012 by yellowbird23

[MrFunInTheSun]

I received this message from Steve Landsberg this evening with sadness. I was about to leave Cruise Critics and have Doug continue with the updates, but have decided to stay. I am doing this for my friend Egon.

 

I will ask Doug to put up the picture that was enclosed with the e-mail.

 

Many prayers needed,

Pat

 

Hi, this is Steve Landsberg, Egon's son, writing to my father's English and German speaking 'Group' contacts who receive(d) his 'reports'.

I am sorry to tell you that early yesterday morning my father had a stroke here at home in North Bay. As you likely know from his reports, he abandoned his cruising to return home 11 days ago due to another medical emergency which would be better serviced in Canada than abroad.

Egon (95) is presently in hospital care here where he will remain for at least several more days. The good news is that he is physically, mentally, & cognitively unimpaired. However at this time he has entirely lost his speech and ability to write. I do not know how his musical ability might have been impacted. He is at this time also not able to select letters from the alphabet to compose words and is therefore unable to use a keyboard such as found on a computer.

As there are hundreds of contacts in his two 'groups', I am sure you can appreciate that I am not able to respond to any of your emails individually. When something more concrete develops over the next while I will again email a communique.

The attached pic is from the evening of his arrival, Friday the 13th.

Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. Regards ~ Steve

 

 

Thank you for posting this update. Thoughts and prayers will be with Egon.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Please excuse typographical errors.

[GraNanny]

I am one of the many that have followed this thread from the beginning, even though I don't post. I am so sad to hear about Egon's stroke, but so grateful that he was at home with his family and not abroad when it happened!

 

Thank you for your diligence in keeping us updated with his adventures. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

[Walkenkeg]

I too have followed this thread and have enjoyed Egon's adventures, sense of humor and writing. I will be praying for him and his family. And when he gets better, if he stills wants to cruise may there be smooth waters ahead.

 

Pat / Doug and others that have kept this post going I thank you,

 

Richard

[Red State Sam]

I am so sorry to hear about Egon's stroke and especially his loss of use of his hands. My sister is a concert pianist so I am painfully aware of how this must distress him. May God grant him a full recovery and, although he may not be able to continue his travels (and continue to entertain us so thoroughly), may he at least be able to play his music. My prayers will continue for him and thank all of you who have kept us up on his adventures. I don't want to see this group break up, I've grown to look forward to not only Egon's travels but the comments from all of you. And Doug, I would so much miss the pictures of your beautiful fur faces! Would that we could all plan a cruise together so that I could also grow to know your faces!

[PartyOfOne]

Thank goodness Egon was at home with Steve when this happened. Only time will tell how well Egon will recover, but it's quite possible that he will regain all his abilities. I really want to thank Steve for passing along the news and thank Pat for making sure that we get the news about our favorite traveler.

 

Here's the picture of Egon at Steve's with Brandy... I mean the pup, I'm not sure what's in the glass.

 

[Belle]

Guess it was fate he came home

for the operation. Glad he was with

his son. When I started reading this

I thought the worse..so happy he

is still with us. Fight Egon!!!

 

I will pray he is able to play his

music soon. (So important to him.)

Hope he gains his speech and writing

as soon as possible so he can communicate

with Steve and everyone. Has to be so

frustrating for him.

 

Prayer's for him and Steve coming

from California.

Edited July 25, 2012 by Belle

[Cruisin-Geezer]

We're so sad to learn of Egon's stroke. We had dinner with him aboard Poesia in March this year and enjoyed so much his piano playing in the Atrium. Just yesterday I posted my much belated review and in it I mention the remarkable Egon.

With a stroke there is always hope - my octogenerian sister had three and still battled on to restore most of her faculties. Egon most certainly has the same fighting spirit, which is what he will need. But come what may he has lead a remarkable life and it is our privilege to have met him. We do prayerfully wish him the best in God's grace.

Roger & Irene from UK

[monicajay]

For those of us who live in the U.S. - Remember this when they tell you how much you're going to LOVE Obamacare!

 

You would think they could cut some of the red tape for him since he has already been given a diagnosis!

 

Even in the US you would have to get a referral from your GP before going to a specialist. In Canada if the GP has no available appointments for your urgent needs you can choose to go to a walk-in session. Yes, first come first served. Egon mentioned standing in line but there are always chairs. Not sure why you think this is too much red tape. System works relatively well and at least EVERYBODY has health care.

 

Sadden to hear of Egon's stroke. His adventures are an inspiration to the rest of us. Hopefully he will recover soon.

[Cruisercl]

Even in the US you would have to get a referral from your GP before going to a specialist. In Canada if the GP has no available appointments for your urgent needs you can choose to go to a walk-in session. Yes, first come first served. Egon mentioned standing in line but there are always chairs. Not sure why you think this is too much red tape. System works relatively well and at least EVERYBODY has health care.

 

Sadden to hear of Egon's stroke. His adventures are an inspiration to the rest of us. Hopefully he will recover soon.

 

I mean no disrespect but in the US you do not always need a referral to a specialist; I don't. Also in our healthcare system, when a specialist goes on vacation there is another one (or even more) that is there to see patients. That goes for GP's to; I never have to wait in line at my clinic.

 

My prayers for Egon and his family.

[CAC104]

Life works in strange ways. It was for the best that when the stroke hit Egon was in the home of his son, and not on a cruise ship on the other side of the world. Can you imagine how awful that would have been:eek:

Like everyone else, I am hoping that Egon can recover and not with a handicap.

[yellowbird23]

Almost 118,000 people following this post for the past 2 years. That's amazing, just like the man. I am hoping he stays ornery as he has been and can recover and keep on trekking. I will know he's okay when he starts e-mailing me again.

[quickrate]

I have followed this whole thread and send my well wishes to Egon. What a remarkable man! Let's not turn this thread into a political debate about our healthcare system! Let's keep this dedicated to this wonderful man.

[skippyy]

Yes, quite remarkable. I agree.

[yellowbird23]

I have followed this whole thread and send my well wishes to Egon. What a remarkable man! Let's not turn this thread into a political debate about our healthcare system! Let's keep this dedicated to this wonderful man.

I totally agree. That's why we're here...to root him on. We need our Energizer bunny back.

[nonna5]

THANK GOD EGON WAS AT HOME WITH HIS SON!!!!

 

I have also followed Egon's travels from the beginning and feel like I know him. I pray that he makes a full recovery and is back to himself sooner rather than later.

 

Thank you Steve for letting us know about Egon and thank yellowbird23 and partyofone for keeping us updated.

 

My prayers are with Egon and his family and Steve please let Egon know he is still a part of our prayer circle.