It's finally time..........

[storm'n norman]

After 50 years of using my left arm/ hand for everything in my life (for those who are not aware, I have no right arm as I have a congenital limb deficiency below the elbow), I will be having a series of operations (on one day) on my left arm / hand including carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist) and left tardy ulnar palsy (elbow). My radial nerve is also damaged as well as I have [B]severe[/B] "tennis elbow"! Which means I am currently experiencing and have been for some time [B]"pain - 24/7"[/B]!

I have been persevering with this condition for over 2 years hoping it would alleviate itself by "rest, physiotherapy etc." - but to no avail!

I therefore will be having surgery next week and will be away from the CC Boards for an extended period of time - probably 3 months or more. I will be in hospital for 4 days (after surgery) followed by at least 2 weeks in a rehabilitation / recuperation hospital (where I will be [B]totally incapacitated[/B])!

My total recuperation period will take around 8 - 10 weeks and I have been for-warned that the "tennis elbow" will require ongoing extended rest (which means no typing, driving, heavy lifting etc.) for quite a while!

[B]Looks as though I will be looking for a change in lifestyle.......Any ideas?[/B]

I want to personally thank the many friends I have met on the boards as well as on the ships (and on my most recent cruise on the Triumph last month - as they knew of my impending surgery) for their good wishes!

So there will be no point in writing to me as I will be unable to reply to your e-mails (I receive around 10 e-mails a day from various persons requesting info on cruises, ships, itineraries etc.).

As for the CC Board......(as a major actor and now governor of California would say......)

[B]I'll be back!![/B]

One day.......

[B]P.S. Skippy will keep an eye on the boards for me! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img][/B]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/kangaroo.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/aus.gif[/img]


Storm'n Norman & Skippy

The Aussie Cruise-a-holic Duo
Just celebrated my 28th Carnival Cruise and my 40th (overall) since '95!

Cruise Photos @

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman"]http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman[/url]

CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS (IN ABOVE LINK) FROM THE "STAR PRINCESS" (18TH OCTOBER 2003)!

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta"]http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta[/url]

CHECK OUT MY LATEST TRIUMPH CRUISIN' KRAZY CARIBE CREW Photos for 8th May 2004 (in ABOVE link)!!

[chuleta]

Norman, I as well as many other of your friends will be thinking of you and praying for a successful and speedy recovery.

I will be glad to keep anyone updated as to the latest information I have from Norman.

Mary Lynn
Proud Member of O.A.T.C.
[img]http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/fairview/162/a-angel.gif[/img]

OH HELL, WHERE IS MY SECRETARY???

[img]http://www.karenpalumbo.com/cruiseship01.gif[/img]
Windjammer Flying Cloud 8/78
Windjammer Fantome (deceased) 8/80
Big Red Boat 4/93
Holiday 4/95
Celebration 4/96
Sovereign of the Seas 10/98
Sensation 4/99
Jubilee 7/01
Victory 1/02
Pride 11/02
Triumph (Joe McBlow cruise) 1/03
Spirit 2/03
Inspiration 2/03
RCL Explorer of the Seas 6/03
Princess Star 10/03
Victory 2/04
Triumph 5/04
Miracle 2/05
Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
[img]http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US[/img]

[Snowball]

Norman - I hope all goes well with the surgery and you finally get some relief from the pain you have been suffering. Just think of how much more fun you'll have on your future cruises when these problems are finally behind you. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Just one question - who's going to keep Skippy in line while you are out of commission? Just think of all the trouble that little hopper can get into if he isn't properly supervised [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

[B]Debbie[/B] [img]http://www.roundrockrelocation.com/smiley-faces64.gif[/img]

[email="debwinters@comcast.net"][img]http://murray.newcastle.edu.au/users/staff/misko/envelope.gif[/img][/email]

[url="http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=57"][B]Join the Valor Voyagers on 6/12/05 as we sail the Western Caribbean - Click here for details[/B][/url]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2005;06;12;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Triumph (Eastern) 05/00
Destiny (Southern) 04/02
Miracle (Bahamas) 05/04
Valor (Western) 06/04

[Codfish]

Best wishes Norm, and a speedy recovery. Thanks for all you contribute to these boards and a big thanks for making my first cruise a great one. Our prayers are with you. we look forward to the time when you can post again.

No longer a Newbie
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;8;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
since my first cruise with The TRIUMPH'S CRUISIN KRAZY CARIBE CREW

[Paladin]

G'Day, Mate!

Best wishes for a successful outcome and a speedie recovery. I know from talking to you over the last couple of weeks that you have a positive attitude and you know putting up with the pain and inconvenience in the short term will be well worth it in the long term. I should know. Just be sure to do what your physical therapist tells you to do without question. You will think that he/she just enjoys seeing you in pain doing your exercises and you will be right but it is for your own good.

I see you started the "best jokes" thread over on the Princess board. Did you do this just so you would have some fresh reading material while you are recovering? As for not being on the boards because you can't type, I think that is a lot of crappola. As I've told you before, all you will need is some decent voice recognition software and you will be able to do anything you want. As a last result, there is always the old technique of using a pencil in your mouth to hunt and peck the keyboards. Besides, it would be good rehabilitative exercise for you!

Take care, Mate, and keep your spirits up. If you can't keep your spirits up then learn to drink them through a straw!

Nieuw Amsterdam 12/97
Destiny 9/99
Inspiration 10/00
Destiny 12/01
Legend (Transatlantic) 9/02
Pride Transcanal 9/03
Conquest 01/04
Glory 9/04
Tahitian Princess 4/05

[pungo3]

Norman, you will definitely be in my prayers for a quick recovery. I truly appreciate all your effort in helping/guiding us on these boards. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to have gorgeous nurses and physical therapists. Even if they aren't eye candy, do what they say so you can get back on the boards where you belong. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.webdeveloper.com/animations/bnifiles/dolph.gif[/img]
Carnival Pride 5/4/02
Carnival Conquest 1/19/03
Carnival Legend 1/16/04
Carnival Destiny 10/24/04
Carnival Valor 10/30/05
[img]http://images.animfactory.com/animations/flags/u_s_states/florida_fl_md_wht.gif[/img]

[tef43]

Godspeed Norman.

[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/demon2.gif[/img]
[img]http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v196/tef43/namelogo.png[/img]
Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

[I]Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.[/I]

[ljrfrm]

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Paradise 6/27

[Hawaii697]

Wishing you speedy recovery so you can come back to CC boards quickly [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

<center>
[img]http://www.karenpalumbo.com/cruiseship01.gif[/img] Cruisin' Southern Caribbean August 2005
</center>
[img]http://animatedgif.net/plants/plamtree_e0.gif[/img][img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=221100&cdt=2005;8;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img][img]http://animatedgif.net/plants/plamtree_e0.gif[/img]

[cruiserlisa]

Norman, Ken and I will be sending our prayers for a speedy recovery. We have enjoyed meeting you both times in Tampa. I know that you will miss us as much as we'll miss you. And you know that I will miss Skippy.

Marylynn, we expect updates from you girl.

Lisa [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

PREMIER BIG RED BOAT 1990
CARNIVAL SENSATION 2000
RCCI EXPLORER OF THE SEAS 2001
CARNIVAL PRIDE 2003
CARNIVAL CONQUEST 2004
RCCI MARINER OF THE SEAS 2004
CARNIVAL MIRACLE 2005
CARIBBEAN PRINCESS 2005



SEE MY WEBSHOTS
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruiserlisa100"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruiserlisa100[/url]

[img]http://animatedgif.net/animals/wateranimals/dolfin_e0.gif[/img]


UNTIL THE HOUNDS HOWL ON THE MARINER
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;9;16;06;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[img]http://www.bigotis.com/royalsmallwide.gif[/img]

UNTIL I SAIL WITH MY FRIENDS ON THE MIRACLE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2005;2;13;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Miracle.gif[/img]

HOWLING WITH THE ROYAL HOUNDS ON PRINCESS
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2005;9;17;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[img]HTTP://WWW.BIGOTIS.COM/HOUNDS3.GIF[/img]

[SUSANITA]

Norman, best wishes to you during your recovery. I hope that all goes well with the surgery itself.

Come back better than ever!

Formerly known as "Doulasue"
[email]Suep366394@aol.com[/email]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/woodstock-28.gif[/img]
NEXT UP~MARINER, Sept 19th
MIRACLE~FEB 13,2005!
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/royalsmallwide.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.bigotis.com/Miracle.gif[/img]
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon"]http://community.webshots.com/user/upstatedon[/url] OUR CRUISE PICS!

[wwakla]

Best wishes to a speedy recovery.


Kris

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;9;26;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Until our first cruise

[dawnc]

Best wishes to you on your surgery. Do what the doctor says so you can come back to us soon!
Dawn

8/2002 Carnival Triumph (Canada)
5/2003 Carnival Triumph (E. Car.)
10/2003 Norwegian Dawn (Bahamas)
5/2004 Carnival Miracle (Bahamas)

[dickinson]

Hope you have a speedy recovery. You will be missed on these boards!

Mardi Gras 4/1988
NCL Norway 8/1990
Sensation 8/1996
Sensation 4/9/2000
Paradise 2/1/2002
Triumph 1/31/2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;9;5;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
9/5 Paradise- Panama Canal

[hstrybuf]

You may be out of commission, but not out of our thoughts. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery!

[img]http://www.bensleyraceteam.com/Ani_Gif_Images/bookworm2.gif[/img]

Navigator OTS 10/04
Legend 04/04
Grand Princess 09/03
Dawn Princess 01/03
Enchantment OTS 10/02
Destiny 01/02
Sensation 08/99

[Juliah67]

Norman...I will be praying for you during your surgery and rehabilitation period. Your attitude has always been so positive..I know that will help you get through this very difficult time. Is there any chance you can take your physical therapists on a 2 month cruise with you? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] (((hugs))) to you. I look forward to your return! Love, Juliah

Glory Eastern 5/29/04

[suzy671]

Norman - all I can say is my prayers are with you! You will definately be missed on these boards. It also looks like your friend is going to need an operation too. If you can email me or your friend your address. I guess when its all over you'll have to plan a big together.

[StefanieMS]

Best wishes Norm. I agree with Juliah. I think you will recover better on a cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Will insurance pay for cruise physical therapy?

Stefanie

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;08;29;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Cruise on the pride

[ken_nyc]

Hi Norman, I wish you a SPEEDY recovery and like everyone else, will pray for you. I think you should definatley go on a cruise. Hoping for a shorter recovery time for you. Lots of luck and see you soon on the boards.

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;8;21;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img][img]http://cruises.about.com/library/graphics/newships/CQclass.gif[/img]
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[iluvdoxies]

Norman, have a speedy recovery and God bless.
I too have bad tennis elbow in both arms, so I can feel for you with the pain you are gooing through.
Mine is from a result of work- being on a computer for 8 hrs a day for 18 yrs- I did get a nice settlement from USAIR.
After a year and half of no work, it's finally improving--I/m putting of the surgery as long as I can.
Will be thinking of you and I know you will be glad when you are all through with the surgery and the rehab...


Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
[img]http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US[/img]
A lot of NCL ships
The old Emerald Seas
Fantasy 10/01
Pride 01/02
Sensation 6/02 Fantasy 9/02
Legend 1/03. Sensation 3/03
Fantasy 4/03, Pride 6/28/03
Glory 8/03. Fantasy 10/3 Glory 12/3---Miracle 3/04, Fantasy 4/04, Inspiration 5/04, Legend 12/4

And proud member of Dachshund Rescue of North America...rescue one, until there are none.

[dan40]

Norman,
We all wish you the speediest of recoveries.

Dan

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal

[~Sharona~]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]here's wishing you well through this time, and hoping you and skippy will get to come out and play soon!!

Sharon

Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;02;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
[img]http://hometown.aol.com/build17/myhomepage/partaepiratessmallsmall.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US[/img]

[CruisingGirl]

Norman- Best of luck and I will keep you in my prayers. I lost my right arm in a car accident 13 years ago. It was a hard ajustment but I'm a strong person and you seem to be a strong person too. God bless you and take care.

Ecstasy 6/00
5 year Anniversary

Fantasy 10/01
DM 50th Birthday and
My 31st Birthday

DH 40th Birthday Surprise on the Fascination 6/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2004;6;21;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[ginag]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] God Bless You Norman! You'll be in my thoughts.


~gina~ [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

11/20 Ecstasy cruise [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;11;20;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

[Babyblue]

Best wishes for a quick and successful recovery.Yes you need to have complete rest and no cheating.Get plenty of rest and do as the doctors say.
We will be here when you return and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Karen

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;12;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]  Till we are Elated again





Destiny 1-99
Celebration 9-00
Crown 3-01
Ocean 10-01
Golden 2-02
Golden 12-14-02
Grand 1-19-03
Conquest 5-4-03
Jubilee 8-23-03
Elation 1-11-04
Elation 12-19-04