August 9, 2011 (8/9/2011) Taking the Wonder to see the AMERICAN CHILD

[LAWalz23]

You're probably sick of explaining...but we are new to DCL...what is FE?

It is a Fish Extender. Others can probably explain it better as this is my fourth DCL cruise but 1st FE exchange member, but I'll take a shot at it. Outside of the staterooms on the DCL ships there is a little fish and it is used to to leave things like annoucements or papers. A fish extender is something you hand from the fish and folks that have joined FE exchange group leave little gifts in. The extenders can be fancy or plain and the gifts can be almost anything that can be carried in luggage. There is some more info on this thread about ours and on the general cruise boards there are pictures and ideas.

 

[JoeSchmieg]

It is a Fish Extender. Others can probably explain it better as this is my fourth DCL cruise but 1st FE exchange member, but I'll take a shot at it. Outside of the staterooms on the DCL ships there is a little fish and it is used to to leave things like annoucements or papers. A fish extender is something you hand from the fish and folks that have joined FE exchange group leave little gifts in. The extenders can be fancy or plain and the gifts can be almost anything that can be carried in luggage. There is some more info on this thread about ours and on the general cruise boards there are pictures and ideas.

Great summary. For additional details look on page 93 of this thread, That is the last time I posted the details.
Joe

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

what did your Dad teach? What sort of hobbies does he have? Volunteers are needed in tutoring, Meals on Wheels, soup kitchens and food pantries all over the country. There are probably other places that would benefit from his time and talents.

Have a great day !

He taught elementary special education. It was amazing to see the support and love that his fellow teachers showered him with today. He is actually hoping to get a part time job at Kids Peace - he may have it already but he won't find out until July sometime. He recently had some heart problems so I'm hoping he takes the next couple of weeks to just relax...that's what I'm hoping...we'll see if that happens! LOL!

 

[JLSE50]

He taught elementary special education. It was amazing to see the support and love that his fellow teachers showered him with today. He is actually hoping to get a part time job at Kids Peace - he may have it already but he won't find out until July sometime. He recently had some heart problems so I'm hoping he takes the next couple of weeks to just relax...that's what I'm hoping...we'll see if that happens! LOL!

Heart problems? He IS seeing a doctor isn't he???

I am glad he has a plan for volunteering!

I am so impressed with Special Ed Teachers

 

[triptaker]

Here is something you can watch to pass the time - it tells you what you are going to see in Vancouver (and I think Alaska as well )

Someone sent it to me and I'm passing it on to you...

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asqWMKju-0A&playnext=1&list=PL8D6CE3C767A21429

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Heart problems? He IS seeing a doctor isn't he???

I am glad he has a plan for volunteering!

I am so impressed with Special Ed Teachers

Yes, heart problems. A few years ago he had a blockage that was fixed with a stint and he was fine. About a month ago, he had chest pains and was short of breath. My parent's went to the ER where his EKG and enzymes were all normal. They admitted him overnight though.

13 years ago, my grandmother (his mom) had almost the same symptoms and her EKG and enzymes were normal. They sent her home with chest pains and she died three days later suddenly. This was the same day my dad had called and doctor telling him that she still had chest pains and he was concerned about her and her stress test. The doctor said that her condition wouldn't change until the next day - the day of her appointment. Well it did.

Anyway, back to my dad. I mentioned what happened with my grandmother to the doctor and she scheduled a stress test for the next day. At the very end of the test, he had the same symptoms and apparently gave everyone in the room quite a scare. That evening he was diagnoised with Ventricular Tachycardia which is a fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower part of the heart (ventricles). If left untreated, some forms of ventricular tachycardia may get worse and lead to ventricular fibrillation, which can be life-threatening. (Thanks Webmd for that information!)

Now, after finding out what was wrong, I researched it more and found out that this can cause sudden death and won't be picked up on an EKG unless the person is having an episode at that exact time the EKG is done. Now we are wondering if my grandmother had the same thing and we just never knew it.

I'm very thankful that it was discovered and can be controlled with medicine. He just finished wearing a monitor for two weeks and so far so good.

He loved teaching special education. My twin sister is also a special education teacher but in a different district.

Although he loved teaching, he was extra relaxed today because he had no paperwork to do! He even read yesterday's newpaper today! So far he's loving retirement...granted it's about 24 hours old!

 

[MassDisLovers]

I was a special education teacher for 28 years - 24 in a special needs preschool and 4 in a middle school class. It's a great job and the kids are so wonderful! Your dad put in 10 more years than me ... WOW! Karen

 

[triptaker]

He loved teaching special education. My twin sister is also a special education teacher but in a different district.

Although he loved teaching, he was extra relaxed today because he had no paperwork to do!

Another special ed teacher here - I love the job - but the paperwork is out of the world - especialy at the end of every school year! Blessing to your dad on his retirement, and best wishes on the heart getting healthy!

 

[KathyM2]

Thanks for the info!! I am indeed on the fence! It sounds like fun...but a lot of extra stuff to bring and I'm sure we'll already have a crapload of luggage! I will think about it...not for too long don't worry!

 

[geffric]

hi.. getting excited.. saw my siggie and realized that it is soon.. but i dont wanna wish away summer..but..

 

[JLSE50]

Yes, heart problems. A few years ago he had a blockage that was fixed with a stint and he was fine. About a month ago, he had chest pains and was short of breath. My parent's went to the ER where his EKG and enzymes were all normal. They admitted him overnight though.

13 years ago, my grandmother (his mom) had almost the same symptoms and her EKG and enzymes were normal. They sent her home with chest pains and she died three days later suddenly. This was the same day my dad had called and doctor telling him that she still had chest pains and he was concerned about her and her stress test. The doctor said that her condition wouldn't change until the next day - the day of her appointment. Well it did.

Anyway, back to my dad. I mentioned what happened with my grandmother to the doctor and she scheduled a stress test for the next day. At the very end of the test, he had the same symptoms and apparently gave everyone in the room quite a scare. That evening he was diagnoised with Ventricular Tachycardia which is a fast heart rhythm that starts in the lower part of the heart (ventricles). If left untreated, some forms of ventricular tachycardia may
get worse and lead to ventricular fibrillation, which can be life-threatening. (Thanks Webmd for that information!)

Now, after finding out what was wrong, I researched it more and found out that this can cause sudden death and won't be picked up on an EKG unless the person is having an episode at that exact time the EKG is done. Now we are wondering if my grandmother had the same thing and we just never knew it.

I'm very thankful that it was discovered and can be controlled with medicine. He just finished wearing a monitor for two weeks and so far so good.

He loved teaching special education. My twin sister is also a special education teacher but in a different district.

Although he loved teaching, he was extra relaxed today because he had no paperwork to do! He even read yesterday's newpaper today! So far he's loving retirement...granted it's about 24 hours old!

We know so much more about cardiac conditions now than we did when you lost your Grandmother (sorry for your loss). And the medication your Dad takes was probably not discovered then either. But all her descendants will know to alert their MDs and have stress tests not just resting EKGs.

 

[JLSE50]

.......
He loved teaching special education. My twin sister is also a special education teacher but in a different district.
.........

where does she teach? Where did she get her degree?

I was a special education teacher for 28 years - 24 in a special needs preschool and 4 in a middle school class. It's a great job and the kids are so wonderful! Your dad put in 10 more years than me ... WOW! Karen

where did you teach? What do you do now?

Another special ed teacher here - I love the job - but the paperwork is out of the world - especialy at the end of every school year! Blessing to your dad on his retirement, and best wishes on the heart getting healthy!

where do you teach? What age or disability?


AND
I am the physical therapist who used to go into Special Ed classrooms in NY and PA to help some of the kids with physical accommodations or exercises to help them stay focused on what you were teaching.

Now, in Indiana, I do homecare, part-time with kiddos from birth to three and also help families get an idea of what to expect from school and teachers.

That's why I am so impressed with you guys. I have seen you under stress and know how great you are.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Thanks for the info!! I am indeed on the fence! It sounds like fun...but a lot of extra stuff to bring and I'm sure we'll already have a crapload of luggage! I will think about it...not for too long don't worry!

I have not been keeping track of how many cabins are involved because we don't do FE. But I have a friend who is making bookmarks for her FE gift for her cruise next week. Others bring a bag or two of fun sized candy bars and give out one per person. Others get involved and fancy. It is all in good fun so do what works for your family.

Jan

 

[MagicMe]

THE SINGLE DIGIT WEEKLY COUNTDOWN CONTINUES!!!​

GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
BOYS AND GIRLS!
WE SET SAIL IN
7 WEEKS! ​

For our August 9 th, 2011 Alaska Cruise ​

Let the party begin

​

 

[vatchr]

Are any husbands renting/wearing a tuxedo on Formal Night? My dh is still trying to figure out if he is going to or not.....

 

[JoeSchmieg]

The FE continues to grow. We are now at 22 cabins!!

Note: The deadline to sign up is quickly approaching Saturday 6/25!!

Unfortunately as a group, it was decided that no signups will be accepted after the 6/25 deadline in order to give people enough time to prepare

Here is a link to the latest list...
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...ZEtkV2wxbzM5QV8tTHc&hl=en_US&authkey=CN2XkswD

 

[JoeSchmieg]

Are any husbands renting/wearing a tuxedo on Formal Night? My dh is still trying to figure out if he is going to or not.....

I will just be wearing a suit!

 

[KathyM2]

Welcome!!!! If you would like to join the Fish Extender, please PM me your info. Cut off for joining the FE is 6/25.... Joe

We've decided this sounds like fun and a good way to meet people and explore the ship. I will PM you my info!

OK...apparently since I'm new here I need to post 10 times on DIS before it will let me PM you? I'm not sure if you got my message...I will post a few more times and try again just in case!

 

[KathyM2]

Can we be added to the giant list of cruisers?

Kathy (the mom)
Shaun (the dad)
Agi (the grandma)
Carter Age 8
Alexis Age 5

Thanks!!!

 

[mom_rules]

I will just be wearing a suit!

All 5 of our guys are wearing suits