Okay, what I've been up to.....

[Marilyn]

Well, I decided to post a thread to let y'all know where I've been and why I've not been on here lately.

Last fall before all the economic things began happening, some dear friends asked us to go with them on a cruise over spring break. Hubby and I had never been on a cruise and I'd always wanted to see what they are like. Melissa and Garrett went on a cruise for their honeymoon and thought it was wonderful. Now mind you, I am very succeptible to motion sickness and can get car sick in a parking lot, but with the scopalomine patches (Transderm Scope) I seem to do okay. Dramamine makes me spaced out for days so that was not an option.

We decided even after the economy began to falter to go ahead with the cruise even though hubby has a Parade of Homes in early May and his home is barely on schedule to be completed in time.

We went on Carnival Conquest from Galveston for 7 days and visited Key West, Freeport and Nassau in The Bahamas. I've gained a few pound since our last vacation two years ago, so I had to buy a few new clothes (Kohls had some great sales, thankfully).

So getting ready took some time, then we had the trip which was a wonderful break. No phones. We did have cell service, but when you get out in the Gulf, it's international calling, $2.29 per minute. I spoke to the girls, but just a few words to make sure all was okay on both ends. It was cold and rainy when we left. Key West was really nice. We would have liked to spend more time there. Freeport we could have skipped. It was cold and rainy there, and the island isn't that pretty. Industry and forrests of tall skinny pine trees with small palms under them. Not much else that we saw on our tour of the island. Our excursion was cut short by a big thunderstorm. Nassau was interesting. We visited Atlantis which is a huge, very expensive resort. Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas, and is very touristy. The weather was better, but it did rain there, too.

The time of the ship was really good. The food was great for the most part and you could eat 24 hours a day if you wanted too. They had soft serve ice cream available whenever you wanted it. The casino was smokey, so didn't spend much time there. The shows were nice & there were plenty of other things to do.

Something happened though when we got home that I was unprepared for. I mentioned the motion sickness problem. Well I had gotten 2 patches in advance of the trip. That's all my doctor would give me. I think there are restrictions on civilian use since the military has so many people deployed. It was a 7 day trip, do I did fine with the two patches. I got a little queezy on a glass bottom boat ride, but recovered. When we got home, I took the patch off because we are on solid ground, right....well people had told me to be prepared to walk a little funny until I got my land legs. No one told me that this equilibrium problem could cause me to experience motion sickness on land. We got home Sunday morning and I was a little wobbly on Sunday but felt okay. Monday morning I went to work and when I started looking up at the computer screen and down at the paperwork on my desk, it hit me. The earth began to move and I got so sick. I went home and spent the rest of the day and all night in bed taking some motion sickness pills we had not sure what they were, but they made me feel better and very sleepy. Tuesday was better. I went to work but was very careful not to make any sudden moves. By Wednesday I was almost normal. We got home on Marxch 22 and even now, I still feel a what is kinda like the earth dips every so often.

My husband is looking forward to doing an Alaska cruise someday, but on that Monday I was so sick, I told him never again. Now I would be willing to go, but would talk with the doctor before hand and be more prepared.

One side effect of the scopalomine patch that I experienced that I was unaware could happen was that mid-cruise I got up one morning and when I was putting on my mascara noticed that my right pupil was dialated. The vision in my right eye was fuzzy. It went away in a couple of hours. I had changed the patch that morning. I have since read that this is a side effect of the patch and usually occurs if you don't wash your hands properly after changing the patch and you touch your eye. Weird!! At least I know what caused it though and that it's not something serious.

Anyway, between getting ready for the cruise, going on the cruise, recovering from the cruise, and trying to catch up on things, I've missed a lot on here!!!!

Not sure when we will be able to go on another vacation, so have to enjoy it while we can.

I'll try to post some pics. We did have a good time, but we have both decided that this is not our favorite way to travel. We could have flown somewhere nice and spent a few days for the same amount of money and probably had and even better time. Cruising is relaxing though and may have been better for us in the long run than a flying trip somewhere.

Long post, but folks have been asking me where we've been. Don't ask if you don't want the answer, and yes, I know I'm long winded. That's just the way it is.

[Marilyn]

I feel a bit guilty taking a cruise when others are suffering with layoffs and such. As I said at the beginning of the post, we booked and paid for the trip before things got so bad. I didn't post and let y'all know before we left because I didn't want to say in an open forum that we would be away from our home for a week. Never know who's reading our posts, especially with people getting so desperate out there. Crime is up due to the economic problems.

Hope some of you get a chance to take a break. At least it was a chance to get away from everything for a few days. It does give you a different perspective.

[HALEY]

Im glad your back Marilyn, but so sorry that you got sick. I'm glad you told me about washing your hands after you use the patch, i'm going on the smokers patch next week, i don't want to touch Micah with that stuff..

[Marilyn]

I had washed my hands, but I guess not well enough. Patches are wonderful ways to take medication. I used a hormone replacement patch for years before they decided it wasn't healthy to take hormones. The pharmacist said it gives you a very consistent, regulated dosage of the medication. I'm not good at pill regimines, so I loved the once a week hormone patches.

[HALEY]

We decided on the patch i was going to take the Chantix, but the side effects scare the hell out of me, nightmares, stokes, depression, sick stomach, i can't be feeling down or depressed around Micah or bad dreams that i have no control over since i still sleep with Micah i would die if i ever hurt that child!!!!! I don't need a pill messing with my head, i'm goofy enough on my own

[donna1990]

Wow, Marilyn, what a trip!!!!!
Don't think I would ever go on another cruise.
Glad you are back.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by HALEY

We decided on the patch i was going to take the Chantix, but the side effects scare the hell out of me, nightmares, stokes, depression, sick stomach, i can't be feeling down or depressed around Micah or bad dreams that i have no control over since i still sleep with Micah i would die if i ever hurt that child!!!!! I don't need a pill messing with my head, i'm goofy enough on my own

You and me too.