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4943237 tn?1428991095

OT: We're back from holiday

Last week we returned from THE most amazing holiday.  We spent a month touring around Europe, some of it on a cruise ship (pictured in my profile, in Mykonos) and some of it touring ourselves.

I cannot speak highly enough of the cruise line we went with (Princess).  There were a number of disabled people on the ship, on scooters and walking sticks etc and absolutely nothing was a problem to the crew.  The only problem was the food - too much of it and my lack of restraint LOL.  

We really loved the excursions they organised for us and thought they did a great job of catering to all levels of physical ability with these.  

Luckily I kept really well during the holiday with only a couple of not so good days pain-wise and there were enough rest days factored in to keep me going okay.  I did notice that my balance completely left the building when I got worn out towards the end of the trip and I'm in a minor flare up of issues now that we're home though.

We came home via Singapore where it was 33 degrees C, to a chilly 6 degrees C, what a shock!!  I'm slowly adjusting but already have some thoughts about another cruise in a couple of years time as it's something I know I'd be able to do no matter what my mobility was at the time.
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667078 tn?1316000935
They now have tickets in advance for the practice sessions.I will still get there early. I have not been to any of these places. A doctor said to me that if I want to do things I should do them soon while I can. So we started to plan a three week trip all on our own. Then my husband said may be we should do a cruise. Viking had a two for one. We are in the most basic cabins which are still really nice. They just have a smaller window.

My husband and I only go on week end trips or camping. We did not even have a honey moon. I decided to raid retirement since I may not need it then.

I am so happy about this trip I could bust. I bet you had a great trip too. This trip and my Dalmatian puppy last year have given me things to live for. That has been important to me. It helps me exercise and eat well. I am even hoping to drop ten pounds.

I am a firm believer in bucket lists. They can be small. For me they have been a hot air balloon ride, a week on Ocrakoke, and island, camping, riding an Icelandic horse, a big 50th birthday party, camping in the mountains, and going to music festivals.

I can't just be sick. I have done over two years of chemo now. My life is simple but I am so happy. I am glad just to be given another day even if I am really sick that day.

Alex

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4943237 tn?1428991095
Your trip sounds awesome Alex.  The Spanish riding school in Vienna is well worth visiting.  Just make sure you get there early if you can as the queue was quite long for the practice session in the morning when I went 20 years ago.  Even get your husband to queue and you sit down somewhere nearby so you can conserve your energy, if this is possible as, from memory it was on the 3rd floor of the building that we had to sit.

I'm a bit envious now !!
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667078 tn?1316000935
Thanks Poppy that is all information I need. We are doing the first week with small backpacks on trains. We are moving at our own pace. The main reason for the trip is to visit my Godmother's castle. She was the great grand daughter of Queen Victoria, princess Alexandra of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. She died in 1963. I got a letter from the current prince saying if he is there he would like to meet us. I have a picture of her holding me at my christening. The castle is in Germany.

I just got off chemotherapy this week since it makes me so weak. It is a risk since my cancer numbers jumped this week but they jumped on the chemo I would be on, on the trip. I do not think it is working anyway. My husband thought of the cruise because of my fatigue. We are going from Amsterdam to Budapest. I hope to see the Lippazaner horse exercise in Vienna.

I am exercising every day. I did an hour and a half non stop in the pool and then lifted weights.

I have a lot of medications so that is good advice. I mostly worry about getting a vacation override on my scripts. They are supposed to give one a year. Thanks for all the advice it is great.

I am so glad you had a good time.

Alex

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4943237 tn?1428991095
September is a good time to go to Europe, to avoid it being too hot.  When I was there last time it was less than 20 degrees C at that time of year.

I found that managing the fatigue was a case of developing little strategies to maximise my enjoyment.  As we did coach excursions while in port I did things like sleeping on the coach on the way to the excursion and then enjoyed the scenery on the way back to the ship.  An inflatable neck pillow was a godsend for this.  Although I'd have liked to go to some of the late shows, I went to bed at 9 pm most nights due to exhaustion.

I also took my walking stick with me wherever I went as I find it conserves energy, particularly when walking up steps and people tend to give you a big more space so that negotiating around people isn't quite as much of a sensory overload.  People also gave up their seats on the London underground for me, which was a lifesaver.

We took re-fillable drink bottles with us so that I made sure I stayed hydrated and I took a second cooling scarf with me on excursions so that I could change scarves when the first one stopped working.  

You'll probably already know this, but make sure you take a letter from your doctor about your conditions and take every pill you could possibly need with you as nothing would wreck your holiday more than trying to get things you need.   I took everything, including Morphine and didn't have any problems whatsoever with customs.
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667078 tn?1316000935
That is so cool. We are spending three weeks in Europe in September. Two weeks of it on a Viking River Cruise.  I worry about the fatigue with MS and Cancer.

Alex
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Avatar universal
Poppy, this sounds lovely, and I'm so glad you had a fabulous time. Now you'll need to rest, but I'm sure you have lots of pix to entertain you.

I'm a real traveler myself, with lots under my belt, but have had to face facts regarding what I can do. I've realized that a long summer triip to the US West Coast and Western Canada is just not feasible, even if my only luggage is a carry-on bag.

You have the right idea in cruising. It saves so much energy and hassle. I hope you're planning something equally wonderful for next year.

Hugs, ess
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Avatar universal
How wonderful! I hope you feel better soon and am so happy for you that the trip was amazing!

Corrie
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987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
:D welcome back,

Your update is wonderful news, i'm so glad you had a wonderfully indulgent time on your all you can eat princess cruise lol

hugs.......JJ
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5112396 tn?1378017983
What a positive update! So good to know that you found a line that makes accessibility a priority. It all sounds so amazing. Off to look at your photos!
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