Welcome Alan and Dawn! So, are you surfing the airline and cruise reservation systems to find the lowest fares? Your trips sound wonderful!

Trish

Alan & Dawn,

Welcome to LCT!! Hope you will post about your wonderful cruises and trips.

Betty

Welcome, Dawn and Alan. We love to hear from experienced cruisers/travelers. Post often!

Welcome Alan and Dawn!

Marie - yes, disc protrusions would be a herniated disc. Weird that they never told you what that meant ... a lot of times, physicians assume that patients understand their jargon. It points out once again the need for patients to advocate for themselves and make sure that their physicians explain things thoroughly and review their options, like you did.

Masaki

Marie---your description of the myelogram makes me think that the diagnosis is worse than the condition!!! I hope I never have to have that thing.....I'd rather just deal with what I have....ugh!!!

Trish--how are you doing? Any recent news??

Welcome Alan and Dawn, so glad you've joined us. Thanks for introducing yourself and hope to see more posts from you.

Alan and Dawn - Welcome! Sounds like you have WONDERFUL travel plans in place - can't wait to hear your impressions of each line. The only two I've sailed are Seabourn and RSSC but I love both lines. (Wish Seabourn had real balconies though!) Your home plans (hot tub, cat and view!) don't sound any too shabby either. Glad you found this place!

Liz --

I won't know anything until Wed. Then I'll know what the MRI said. Will keep you posted.

Trish

Ok, Trish, well--keep us posted. What an ordeal for you!!

I have some wonderful news!!!! I don't have to have neck surgery!!! I went to the Ortho on Wed. and unfortunately got a migraine minutes before he walked in and because I couldn't see, I couldn't concentrate either. He did talk to Dave and said that although the disc is still herniated, I have gotten it down enough that it is not impinging on the nerves any longer. He thinks I'm still having pain because the rings around the discs are straight now and didn't go back. He has offered a nerve block, which I am going pass on - at least for now. I feel like I'm finally settling back down now and as soon as I have this ICD put in, I can get back into my routine and get comfortable again. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. I feel like they changed the outcome and I am just ecstatic!

Trish

Trish

YAY!!!!!!! Trish, what great news!!!!! Now you can settle in and just start making fun plans!!!! Hooray!!!! Thanks for letting us know. I also believe that the thoughts and prayers changed the outcome. It doesn't always work that way, but thoughts and prayers always bring a powerful good, no matter what the outcome. Great news!!!! :woh:

Good news, Trish!! :)

Masaki

Hi! Why would I want to take a cruise...I live in "Paradise"

Well, we are going to the Mediterranean on the Radisson Seven Seas Voyager this month...in just a few days...because I want to see Florence "before I die" (I'm NOT dying, just a life goal.)

About us...

We are in our 50's and for most of our lives, lived outside of Chicago. We fell in love with Sarasota after vacationing on Siesta Key (south of Longboat). At the first opportunity (corporate "golden handshake"), we jumped at the chance to move here (Sarasota) permanently.

I am a retired OB RN and a homemaker. Our children refer to us as the "Cleavers". My interests include extensive online medical research (traditional and alternative) as my sister is ill. I love to learn. In addition, I sign (as in sign language) with a group of gals at our church. We sign to hymns (a fun way to learn sign language). It is so beautiful to watch and the congregation loves the "performances".

My favorite places are Epcot (WDW) and Las Vegas (for the shows, people watching and quarter slots)...Florence to be added to my list?

We have 2 children - a son, 25, and a married daughter, 28, who lives in NC. Our son lives with us as he has disabilities. We have a 1 year old grandaughter and I LOVE being a grandmother. Our daughter and grandaughter are coming to FL to stay with her brother while we are on the cruise.

My husband "retired" from 30 years in the corporate world and after 1 year, decided to sell new houses (following his passion for building). His "office" is now a $3.7 million dollar model home. This area is absolutely taking off with many baby boomers retiring here from the NE and Midwest. He has many funny stories to tell when he comes home from "work".

My mother lived with us for 4 years when she was ill, but now that she is better, she moved into a nearby retirement center (guaranteed stepped up care). I visit her every week and take her grocery shopping, to the bank, doctor, etc.

We have a dog, a Bichon, named "Charlie" who checks the pool for us every morning to make sure it is still full (looks in).

Welcome, Martha! You've given us a wonderful introduction and I hope you'll post often!

I wish your sister well.

And, yes, you will definetly add Florence to your list of favorite destinations!

Welcome, Martha - what a fun introduction - sounds like you are loving Florida - we do too! Joanna

Martha,
Thanks for your introduction. I enjoyed reading it. I know you will enjoy this board. There are lots of experienced cruisers eager to answer questions and share knowledge. Again, let me say, Welcome!!!!!

Betty

Welcome, Martha. Florida sounds simply wonderful today. May 1st and we had snow coming down this morning.

Sounds like you are going to be a great addition to the board.

Trish

Welcome Martha ... and thanks for posting your introduction!

Masaki

Welcome Martha :)

Mary

Martha - A very warm welcome to LCT!!! Thanks so much for sharing your introduction with us. Sounds like you lead a very full life. And you have a wonderful cruise ahead of you!!!! I'm sure you'll have the time of your life.

We visited Florida last 12/03 and really loved it. We spent a couple of days at Longboat Key. Beautiful area!!!

Will look forward to hearing more from you, especially about your Mediterranean cruise on the Voyager!!!

Welcome to the Group Martha! Thank you for the formal introduction.

Anthony

Hi Martha, I loved your introduction. Have a wonderful time visiting Florence on your Voyager cruise. Be sure to report back to us!

Welcome to LCT - we love when new members post!

Hi

My name is Ian and my partner is Gus. We returned 10 days ago from a cruise on Summit; within 4 days of our return we had booked our next cruise - this time on Silversea. The lure of champagne and caviar was too much to resist....

We live in the UK; Gus in central London where he is a personal trainer, and I live about an hour west of London, where i have my own retail consultancy business.

In advance of our last cruise, we spent a lot of time on the boards of another well known cruise website......10 of us linked our dining arrangements, and the rest would all meet for cocktails in the martini bar. We had the best cruise ever because of the people we met. For us, cruising is all about great food, great wine and great conversation. Oh and we like good weather too - but when you come from the UK, anything above 60 degrees is considered a hot and sunny day!!!! :cool:

Sorry about the lack of a picture - i will post one once i work out how to do it!!!

ian & gus

Hi Ian, welcome to the board!! I really think you will love your Silversea cruise, you picked one of the best!

Welcome to LCT, Ian and Gus.

In response to your other post, In off topic we have a Weight Loss discussion, where we've been discussing, of all things, Food and Exercise and how we are doing. Come join in the conversation. We have all decided that we'll still post after our next cruise since it's reallty a lifestyle issue.

Jump in an post often!

Welcome to LCT Ian and Gus and Martha too! You will like this site and all the information to be learned from the experienced and terrific posters who inhabit this space. So jump right in - the water's fine!

Edit to add you can find Karen's instructions on posting a picture here.

Ian and Gus, wecome! You must be the guys traveling on the same cruise as Fred and Pat! You are going to love the Whisper, I promise!

Welcome to LCT Ian and Gus!


Anthony

Welcome Ian and Gus! I, too, would like to try Silversea so will look forward to your report - Joanna

Welcome Ian and Gus to LCT!!! Hope you will report to us on your Silverseas cruise. Thanks for taking the time to post your introduction.

Betty

Hi, Ian - We have already communicated with you over on the CC G&L board but are delighted to see you here on the best board of all. "An hour west of London" - is that Reading or Slough? I go to Reading from time to time on business because that is where my company's European HQ is located. In any event, we are excited about the Whisper cruise and will begin to focus on it when we get back from the Paul Gauguin in early June. Then we will join you in the gruesome task of unloading cruise weight in anticipation of the next cruise. Cheers, Fred

welcome Ian and Gus!! Thank you for posting your introduction ... hope to hear about your SS experience when you get back!

Masaki

Welcome Ian and Gus. I'm looking forward to your reports on your SilverSeas cruise. I want to try them one day, myself.

Ian and Gus - Welcome to our group here at LCT!!! I can't wait to hear all about your Silversea cruise. I hope to cruise that line someday. It is supposed to be wonderful!!

I'll look forward to hear more from you in future posts!!!

Welcome, Ian and Gus!! I think you'll find this a great place for "virtual" champagne, caviar, good drinks and AWESOME conversation!!! I'm glad you've joined us.

Hi there
Thanks for all the welcomes ..... i feel that this is going to be a fun thread !!

Gus ( and Ian )

What are the dates of your Silversea cruise? Joanna

Welcome, Ian & Gus! Hope we will hear from you often, on the variety of subjects we discuss on LCT.

I am hoping to tour the U.K. someday, soon. Very high on my wish list! The closest we've gotten to London, are two stopovers at LHR!

Our cruise departs Fort Lauderdale on the 21st of November, returning on the 1st December. We call at Cozumel, Belize, Honduras (Roatan), Guatemala, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Though if Silversea is that good, we may not get off the ship! ;)

ian