12/09/06 Geeks.... Lost, but not forgotten

[pjpoohbear]

John, with my thyroid, I get low iron and blood sugar, and I fell like an old lady at times. I get sick of it too.

PJ

 

[MrsMork]

John you know you are in our prayers. Strength and patience are included in those prayers.

I take Dennis to the VA Hospital in Helena tomorrow for a angiogram of his kidneys and possibly a stent if they find narrowing. He was having no symptoms, but his VA doc asked him to get checked out since he has battled hypertension for so many years - since he was mid 20s. So, the MRI showed possibly some narrowing and thus the angio. He is not a happy camper either. It is a 2 hour drive each way to Helena, so it is always an all day trip to go there. We don't mind though because Dennis' parents are buried there at the Veteran's cemetary so we go by and "visit" them while we are there.

 

[Jhalkias]

John you know you are in our prayers. Strength and patience are included in those prayers.

I take Dennis to the VA Hospital in Helena tomorrow for a angiogram of his kidneys and possibly a stent if they find narrowing. He was having no symptoms, but his VA doc asked him to get checked out since he has battled hypertension for so many years - since he was mid 20s. So, the MRI showed possibly some narrowing and thus the angio. He is not a happy camper either. It is a 2 hour drive each way to Helena, so it is always an all day trip to go there. We don't mind though because Dennis' parents are buried there at the Veteran's cemetary so we go by and "visit" them while we are there.

Dennis will be in our prayers too Angie.

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa,

So glad to see you made it with us too! I saw you saying 6/21 earlier and guess I thought that was with folks from your PC repo, and the date was set for you guys. Kim and I were burning up the email over the weekend, as Savannah has a skating competition in July, and did not want to miss until that was over. We also have Alex's graduation from Medical school and he will begin residency July 1 somewhere, so we felt 6/21 was bad all the way around. We decided on 7/26, Carla was emailing too, found out we could all link with me, and we went with it. PJ and Dennis followed suit - and V has not yet booked. She is waiting until December to book it.

OMG!!!!!!!!!! This really is a geek reunion!!!!!! Yesterday when I told the kids who would be there Kaitlyn said she was happy to see all of her friends but was very sad that Savannah would not be there. She is going to flip out this afternoon. LOL! If they wouldn't frown on me doing so I would go to the school and tell her now to brighten her day!

Another couple from the PC cruise is joining us. They will fit in great with this group but are not extremely social online. I know that you guys can draw them out of lurkdom and have passed on the meet thread link and FB to them. They have a DS & DD who are the same ages as our kids so William won't be the only boy in the group. There are a couple other families thinking about the 6/21 cruise but when I saw that you guys were all going to be on the 7/26 cruise...and now Brack & Annette & Steve & Kim too. I was sitting her really bummed yesturday morning and at 12:30 decided what the heck, give a call. The other family needs a HA room for 4 and the two 11s were still available on the 7/26 & we were able to get a SPH for this one too SO I figured it was fate. After calling MB while on hold with the DCL rep who was checking on how to hold two more rooms for us she said they could transfer the dates so I switched everything over.

Thanks for doing the Palo Res. As I count it now, we have Lisa, Mike, John, Amy, Carla, Carl, Dennis, Angie, PJ, Kim, Steve, Vanessa, John, and the two (I am assuming) people who have the other children. That makes 15. How many fit in that Palo room - I can never remember. If all 15 do not fit, we can sit at a 4 top outside with John and V, or with Kim and Steve.

I am also assuming both Carla and Kim will be concierge as they have booked Cat 3's for this cruise, so I "Wonder" if that will help.

OK so this is what I have now for the geek group:
Lisa & Mike
John & Amy
Carla & Carl
Dennis & Angie
PJ
Kim & Steve
Vanessa & John
Brack & Annette

MB & her DH may or may not want to join us for Palo. They will meet PJ, Angie & Dennis on the WBTA so that might help. With this group we can fit 15 in Palo...didn't we do that one time in 2006? Like you said though fitting 4-? at the table right outside the room would not be an issue since we have two in concierge and Angie is platinum so maybe we can do a repeat of the 2006 cruise and I can dig out my green folder to take to Wavebands is it on the Wonder to get that taken care of when we board. I am not too concerned about it since we didn't have a problem with the 30+ people who we linked for bunch last time. Also, we could be able to work the ressies around to be linked with each of the 120 day bookers [Angie, Carla & Kim] to have three other rooms linked with theirs and I believe that they will be able to make Palo ressies for everyone linked with them. This is based on reports this past year that people who could book at 90 days and had a room with new cruisers linked to theirs could book Palo for all adults linked but not excursions which could be a whole other issue at the gold's 105 date. Hmmm...perhaps link a gold & silver with each plat/concierge so that won't interfere with excursions. Truthfully I expect the DCL excursions for this cruise to be very high and have been reading the DIY things people have done. We should be able to get a tour guide in ports just like we did in Costa Maya.

OK so I posted it on the FB geek page but have no idea if that will be seen so will repeat it here. I emailed a request to Palo specialists for the group room on the 7/26 cruise on Wednesday 7/27 for 10:30 brunch [sea day] and Friday 7/29 for 6:00 dinner [Juneau]. The other sea day is the last night and Juneau currently has an onboard time of 4:30 versus 7:30 in the other ports. Requested for 14 people each time but we know that I can get my people to add more right outside the room if needed.

I have not heard back from them yet but also have the phone number so will call today to confirm that the request was in fact received and did not go to a dead emailbox.

When we count kids, William, Kaitlyn, Sophia, Savannah, Isabella, Samantha, Hailey, and I will assume two other kids from the other family. That makes the total group 22 if I am not mistaken, so we will have to see how to link dining together. That's more than the 18 for one station. Some of us are already linked on Main dining (Kim, Carla, and us). I also think all of us booked with DU.

Yes there are two more kids so for dinner it will be:

Lisa & Mike [William, Kaitlyn]
John & Amy [Sophia]
Carla & Carl [Isabella]
Dennis & Angie [Aaron maybe?]
PJ [TONS of neices and nephews ]
Kim & Steve [Savannah]
Vanessa & John [Samantha, Haley]
Brack & Annette [possibly DS & DIL]
MB & DH [boy child, girl child hey MB!]

So that alone is 29 people if everyone who has been mentioned possibly going books. If I can get 150+ of us seated at dinner this should be managible.

I can't transfer to DU until our final payment is ready to be made and then I can't make changes on my ressie but I even when we were with DU in 2006 I was able to communicate with Debby for our dining. One of you guys can get the answers for the group from DU when it gets to the point we need to really worry excursions, Palo & other stuff for final payment and then change it so all of the smaller 4 group bookings are linked together for dining after those are all booked which will be done at the 105 day mark so more than enough time.

 

[lbgraves]

WHEW!!!! Yes, I am a bit excited about all this and then it hits me that it is going to be another almost 2 years before we go on this cruise. It reminds me so much of the good old days in

when we were always

so much about the first official DIS Geek cruise.

All of the fun like linked dining

.

We knew that all the craziness had one cause...

.

Pirate runs

Those moments

The 90 day booking frenzie

The inspiration

Bobby's introduction to the group

The CB

The Crazy Cozumel jeep tour

The CC great hammock race

The pirate parade into the dining room

and in the end

.

 

[lbgraves]

Oh....and you guys DO know about the photo CD and linked rooms pictures going on the same CD? Just to make sure we can get some extra no charge room keys for one of the rooms so that whenever that room's KTTW cards are scanned all of those pictures go on the same CD so we only need to buy one of them. It has all of the pictures taken, uses facial recognition software for those pics when they don't scan the KTTW and if you find a print that is not on the room card on the kiosks you just take the picture to the desk and the shutter's person will add it on. Also, any photos purchased by the person who purchases the CD are 50%. The CD does not have any of those borders so if you want one of those you have to buy it BUT it does have the shots where they superimpose Tink & Hook on the white background. It is currently $400 for one CD for a 7 day cruise.

 

[lbgraves]

Doctor finally called today.

Colonoscopy Friday at 6:00 am.

I want that to be over, for among other reasons, she will not give me the iron I need until after that, and I am tired of feeling tired and weak. It is aggravating to me, and my patience is wearing thin. I am like a 90 year old man going up steps.

Prayers for you on Friday that the doctor is able to determine what she needs to do to help you.

I have been going through a majorly stressful medical issue since 8/31 and the next test and discussion with my doctor is 10/7. I am refusing to get a second opinion because I do not want to repeat the past three weeks and will insist on scheduling a biopsy to just end the questions. I cannot take another diagnosis of "not 100% positive that it is not benign". There. Not sure why it feels better to post here with you guys than on FB. Maybe this will help calm my nerves. After reflecting on all of the information I have and doing research yesterday I am feeling very at peace with my decision to insist on a biopsy. That should stop the "what ifs".

 

[lbgraves]

Angie, my thoughts and prayers will be with Dennis today. (((HUGS)))

 

[lbgraves]

Will email all as well but I just heard from Palo. I need to send them the following ASAP.

Guest Names, Reservation Numbers, and Stateroom Numbers for each Guest requesting to dine in the Palo Private Room.

 

[Jhalkias]

Prayers for you on Friday that the doctor is able to determine what she needs to do to help you.

I have been going through a majorly stressful medical issue since 8/31 and the next test and discussion with my doctor is 10/7. I am refusing to get a second opinion because I do not want to repeat the past three weeks and will insist on scheduling a biopsy to just end the questions. I cannot take another diagnosis of "not 100% positive that it is not benign". There. Not sure why it feels better to post here with you guys than on FB. Maybe this will help calm my nerves. After reflecting on all of the information I have and doing research yesterday I am feeling very at peace with my decision to insist on a biopsy. That should stop the "what ifs".

Lisa,

Please take care, and know our thoughts and prayers are with you. I feel like the last 3 years or so have been a rollercoaster, so I know how you must feel. I get upset because I have done nothing but deal with other's illness and the death of my parents and now I have this to deal with.

Oh, did I tell you Amy's mom is having her other knee replaced tomorrow?

What happened to those years where I did not have to worry about my family, my brothers and sisters, or my parents? I just keep hoping and praying for a year or so of peace, but I know with my brother's continuing issues it may not appear.

I feel fortunate to have good doctors, and family that cares about me.

They say that God only gives you what you can handle.

Keep your chin up, get the best information you can from the best doctors, rely on your family, and leave the rest in God's hands.

 

[Bella2000]

I replied one page behind at Lisa's smilies - loved them.

Now reading last page - wow guys it's been a challenging year to say the least.

John you and other got me through that colonoscopy this year - I swear I would not have been able to drink that crap any further if you had not all encouraged me. I was sick as a dog that night so my thoughts will be with you in prep.

Lisa = take care of yourself and listen to your instincts.

Dennis/Angie - I hope things went well.

 

[Bella2000]

Lisa,

Please take care, and know our thoughts and prayers are with you. I feel like the last 3 years or so have been a rollercoaster, so I know how you must feel. I get upset because I have done nothing but deal with other's illness and the death of my parents and now I have this to deal with.

John you are always so eloquent! Exactly what I was thinking and down in the dumps about today. Sometimes it just all appears a bit...I don't know MUCH.

 

[Bella2000]

Happy Birthday Pj!

 

[pjpoohbear]

YES!!!! Do you want to have Palo dinner with us also? I can book that at 120 days. Tea? Brunch?

It just clicked in that I am cruising with you next year, lol. And that we will be in the middle of the Atlantic right now, .

Pj

 

[pjpoohbear]

Good luck to everyone today and in the coming weeks with all the health issues.

Pj

Ps. Carla, thank you.

 

[brack]

We should wave in the parking lot, although I have no clue how we are getting back to OKW, lol This is our bounce back cruise, got to love a cat 8 for 20 DVC pts@.

Pj

Cat 8 for 20 points! I've got to call DCL!

 

[brack]

Just reading the posts on the health concerns and I will be putting these on my prayer list.

I too have been to a Cardiologist to do a stress test for a follow up on what my doctor called an "irregular" looking heartbeat. I had the test and will see the Cardiologist for the results on Monday. The worst part has been all three doctors said "At YOUR AGE Major Dodd we just want to be sure!" Each one just about my son's age.

 

[lbgraves]

It just clicked in that I am cruising with you next year, lol. And that we will be in the middle of the Atlantic right now, .

Pj

Goodness! You are right! I have to start focusing on that cruise.

 

[lbgraves]

Happy Birthday Pj!

Goodness how did that get by us?!?!?!?

 

[pjpoohbear]

Lisa, I spent all day running around like a chicken and it kept popping in my head that next year, I would spend my birthday in a deck chair on deck 4 and just do what ever I want.

Pj