who from our esteemed group is going on the cruise and are they taking spouse. Our last trip was such a disaster I said never again, but I keep talking myself into and out of this cruise
I am going on the cruise, but my DH died, so I will not be dealing with your problem. It surely will be nice to meet some of my cyber friends. If any woman is going alone I am looking for a roommate.
I'm coming and bringing my husband (and my grown 45 year old daughter to watch him while I'm at the seminars). I can't wait to see those from here who are coming!
My husband and I are coming. He is still in the early stage of AD - We'll see how it goes. Other than visiting family we have not traveled since Jan '06. It was a wonderful trip but he had some difficulties adjusting and found things to criticize. I am really looking forward to meeting you all. Want to give Joan a big hug!
What Cruise?!?!? Is there adult daycare available? Is it just for people with ALZ. and their spouses? A cruise sounds amazing right now! On top of the Alzheimers' we have been dealing with my husband's most recent diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. Needless to say, a cruise sounds like heaven right now!!!!!!
There is a link for this cruise on the home page, goes in Feb 5 nites on Celebrity (my favorite cruise line) It is for Alz spouses with/without their LO.
Go to the home page of my website - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and scroll to the middle of the page. There is a picture of a cruise ship. Read what it says, and click the link to listen to Patrick explain about the Caregiver Stress Management cruises. Also, look to the left side of the website and scroll down to the Cruise section. Click on that and it will explain. Also, on the home page, there is the Daily News - There is a link to last Sunday's Palm Beach Post article about the cruises.
The cruise is designed for CAREGIVERS to get away from their stress for awhile. There is NO RESPITE care available, but those of us with high functioning spouses take them along.
countrygirl - My second husband died of multiple myeloma and my third of AD. Having them both in one person would be quite an ordeal. I don't know if Bebe is still on this site but her husband had both of these. Maybe you can get in touch with her someway.
Frand-I am so sorry to hear about both of your husbands. What an ordeal for you! I have already vowed that I will never marry again, because I NEVER want to be responsible for another spouse's care. Selfish-yes, but also true! I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about your first husband's myeloma. How long after diagnosis did he live? Also, what stage was he when he was diagnosed? As for the cruise-it sounds like so much fun! I would love to meet you wonderful people in person!
countrygirl - He lived almost exactly the average life span for that disease - 2.6 years. He was very lucky that he didn't have the pain that sometimes is associated with it. I really don't think they have made much progress in treatment even now. His hip was hurting him and we just thought arthritis or some such but there was a baseball size tumor growing there. If you want more information go to 1-800-4CANCER and ask for the information they send to the doctors. That will give you a better idea of treatment choices. Geraldine Ferraro was diagnosed years ago and she is still around, so you never know. If you want to talk more about this email me. I have my email listed here.
Did everyone get their cruise packets today? I designed a Caregiver Cruise beach bag, and put it in my Marketplace. We are all going to the beach in Grand Caymen, aren't we? Patrick promised me he would go snorkeling with me if Sid can't go. We love to snorkel, but now, between his diabetic foot and his shortness of breath, I'm not sure if under water is the best place for him.
Joan, be very careful with him. My husband doesn't like water much and years ago we were snorkeling at St Johns and he swallowed a mouthfull of water and got choked. The sea was very rough and this was in their preserve but nobody paid any attention to his distress except me and I am not a very good swimmer either. He kept telling me to go to shore but I wouldn't. We both made it in but that was the last time he was in the ocean. If I ever go again I will have a preserver along with the rope and at least 3 people together. I love to snorkel also, the fish are beautiful.
I really don't think Sid wants to risk it. If he does, we'll try it close to shore. If he doesn't, I'm sure he'll be happy to sit in a lounge chair on the beach.
Joan, I got my packet a long time ago. Unless there is something extra....If there is, I'm sure it will come shortly.
I wish more of our group were coming! I would LOVE to meet everyone in person!
I'm going snorkeling too. I want to see Key West and visit Hemingway's home. I would really like to go parasailing, but I don't think I will have time. And at the Caymens, I want to swim with the dolphins!
I would absolutely love to go on this cruise and meet everyone in person, but my DH is having too many behavioral issues. I don't think he would do well without me overnight. I am working with him on his behavior. It takes so much patience. I will be retiring soon from my job and I am taking up bicycling. I am fortunate that DH has a very good long term care policy and I can still have the usual daycare in our home during the day because I know I can't do this 24/7. DH is becoming so routine oriented now that if you deviate the slightest he really has a tough time. I hope you all have a very good time and will be thinking of you.
I spoke to Patrick today and he reminded me that December 1st is the last day to pay for the cruise. If you have any questions regarding the cruise, please call him or e-mail him. See the cruise section on Joan's home page.
He also said that there are great things planned for us caregivers, and I know we are going to be having a great time! Those of you who are thinking about coming, I hope you will call Patrick with your questions and try to join us, if possible.
Guess what? It's in the planning stage, but I think I'm doing one of the workshops on the cruise. There are quite a few support group meetings planned also. Oh, and then there's the food, entertainment, and shore excursions. No Weight Watcher meetings. I'm banning them from the ship!
I wanted to go and my husband was interested - he is very high functioning. Except I have decided not to travel with him. Last year we went on a trip a couple of hundred miles away and he got mad at me and wanted to jump out of the car. When I finally had to stop to go to the bathroom, he didn't want to get back in the car. Once we got to our "resort" the week was like a soap opera. We have had a number of episodes of his "behavior" being noncompliant to the stage that it is easier to stay home where what we do will have more of a chance of success - and I can always walk home if we are in town. He seems to like getting me in places where I cannot control him and his behavior escalates. I am looking forward to hearing all about the cruise - and WHO is giving a workshop - I thought we were going to take it easy :-)
Mary, our cruising days are over. He no longer can travel. And we just had an experience with neighbors who wanted us to come to dinner. He pulled out at lunchtime the same day. He can't handle that anymore either.
I hope all of you have a great time. We loved cruising, and in fact our last real vacation was a cruise. It is hard to believe that we could do that two years ago. Things are so different now.
The Caregiver Stress Management Cruises are designed for caregivers to get some respite and relaxation away from the person for whom they are caring. If anyone is able to find respite care for their spouses for 5 days, the cruise would be a wonderful vacation for you, the caregiver. Many are not comfortable leaving their spouses in the care of someone else, but if you are, the cruise is a great way to de-stress. (If you're not stressing about the spouse you left in the care of someone else.)
The cruise will be here before we know it. I've lost 4 and a half pounds. I only have 45 and a half to go. OMG!
In trying to lose, I've gained your 4 pounds. Please take them back! <grin>
Starling, I understand. This will probably be the last cruise I can take my husband on. I begged because I want to meet you and spend time with you. You are in Florida, right? Could you meet us on the night of February 8th at the Embassy Suites Hotel for a visit the night before the cruise? That would be great!
I wish I lived in Florida so I could come and meet some of you wonderful people. We used to come to Florida every winter for vacation when my parents lived there. They are gone now and traveling is too confusing for DH.
Starling, I knew that. Really, I did. Somewhere in my mind. <grin> I guess I wanted to meet you so bad, I moved you! <grin> And I remember that Sunshyne is in California. Divvi is in Texas. Now, if I could just remember who all lives in Florida besides Joan!!! <grin>
I'm going to make myself a chart and put names, ages, and states, and maybe if I refer to that, I won't make as many mistakes!