Coffee on the Verandah - Two by two - 5/21

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

Oh God is so good today I have to share. I just got news that my HS friend with very rare cancer who underwent stem cell transplant and her last lumbar puncture came back clean with no evidence of disease. And my other friend battling breast cancer for 12 years (the one whose DH has brain cancer), who's doctors thought her cancer had metastasized to both lungs (but can't biopsy in her condition, too risky) it turns out she has a bizarre allergy to one of the chemo drugs, very very rare, but once they changed all her meds up she can breathe again and feels so much better. It's not in her lungs after all, I could cry with relief for both of these amazing ladies.

I missed this earlier...this is such great news.

[MEK]

I am glad that both of your friends are wining their battle against cancer. That's very inspiring.

Nassau may be dirty and nasty, but your pictures make it look anything but. Nice view. I am on that side of the boat so I am looking forward to seeing the exact same view.

Atlantis looks so close, but I know its not.

I'm still not sure what I am going to do on Nassau day. Probably the same thing you did, but I want a place I can literally walk to.

[eandesmom]

I wanted to share this amazing tribute Mary Ellen created in honor of Tracy.

Tracy Tribute

So beautiful, I am moved beyond words (and you all know that doesn't happen often).

If you have the time, listen to Mary Ellen's beautiful voice and see our beautiful friend.

[dizneeat]

You are completely right on Nassau - NOT the nicest of ports! But the rum is yummy, and so is the rumcake

Now that military boat has always been in the harbour whenever we have been to Nassau (10 times) and I think you are right on the Hilton.

There is a nice little walking tour all around the island which leads up to Fort Fincastle, and that is what we do, climb up there and you have a great view over the island.

I hope you had more for breakfast than a cup of coffee! They offer yummy breakfast at the Royal Palace (which we always have) and also lunch! But since you booked another resort you won't have done that.

Can't wait for your day to unfold!

[natebenma]

I'm so happy to hear about your friends' good news! Dealing with cancer is filled with so many highs and lows, it is encouraging when you hear positive stories.

I'm sorry that the joy was balanced by the sadness with Jeff's coworker.

What a nice morning in port so far! Nothing like enjoying some coffee on the verandah! Best thing ever! You really had some beautiful views pulling in to Nassau and from your walk around the ship.

I'll be interested in hearing about your day at the beach. I think we got day passes to the same resort on a cruise stop back in 2007. Pool was cold and my older son cut his knee when we went into the ocean and was inconsolable so we ended up leaving within an hour of arriving! I hope your day was more enjoyable.

I'm going to see Mary Ellen's tribute now.

[Flossbolna]

Ah - coffee on the verandah! Sounds wonderful, but won't happen on my cruise. Just for the fact that I will have an inside cabin.

Like the idea of the walk around deck 4. I have even thought about bringing my running shoes and going for runs. I think I kind of want to run the Castaway Cay 5k, so a bit of training on the ship beforehand would be sensible (and hopefully help a little bit combating the effects of all the cruise food...). In general I think deck 4 looks like a place that I could fall in love with as it looks so much like a real ship and not an amusement park on water. Those deck chairs are beautiful. But I guess the disadvantage is that there isn't a bar to get drinks from down there...

I can understand your feelings towards Nassau - that was one of the many reasons for me to decide against a 4 day cruise.

[Charleston Princess]

Beautiful morning walk and views of Nassau even if part of your walk was blocked off. I like your idea of getting a day pass to one of the resorts.

Mary Ellen's tribute to Tracy was wonderful.

[Disney9.9.10]

What amazing news about your friends! That is just incredible!

I love your Bahamas pictures! What a nice tradition to walk the promenade every day. I feel the same way as you about the port. We've been a few times, so I usually just stay on the ship and enjoy its emptiness!

[englishrose47]

Cynthia so happy for the news of your 2 friends !!Today I have to attend a wake for my neighbors father who passed this week from cancer !She has been our neighbor for almost 30 years and he was a constant visitor My ex was very close with him and was with him until 1/2 hour before he passed .When I am at the Funeral home I know Mary Ellen's song will be in my heart!! Fly on Home Dominique !

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey Cynthia!


Loved the updates and photos. I have heard similar descriptions of various ports of call and I definitely get where you are coming from. I would have some similar reservations. Loved all the photos! Sorry you got denied by the drill...seems an odd time to schedule such a thing.

The tribute you posted was really nice. It has been an odd week around here. My great-grandmother passed away, BUT she was 104 and her mind has been gone for some time so though we grieve we were glad to see she is now at peace. We have no doubts where she is now and look forward to the time we are together again. I left my job of 7 years and took a completely new direction. Though I am happy to have better hours and something that is going to be VERY challenging, it was hard saying goodbye to folks at my old job and leaving the comfort bubble. Even the weather has been odd bouncing from unusually warm to unusually cold in 12 hours. Leaving me the joy of a head cold.

Ready for normality to return.

It was great to sit down and enjoy some TR's today. Looking forward to continuing to share in your adventures! Take all the time you want, we'll be here ready to read.

[that's nice]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

Oh God is so good today I have to share. I just got news that my HS friend with very rare cancer who underwent stem cell transplant and her last lumbar puncture came back clean with no evidence of disease. And my other friend battling breast cancer for 12 years (the one whose DH has brain cancer), who's doctors thought her cancer had metastasized to both lungs (but can't biopsy in her condition, too risky) it turns out she has a bizarre allergy to one of the chemo drugs, very very rare, but once they changed all her meds up she can breathe again and feels so much better. It's not in her lungs after all, I could cry with relief for both of these amazing ladies.

What great news!!! Prayers for continued better health!



Loved your pictures from the Bahamas! I could get used to waking up to coffee with that view everyday. One problem- I don't drink coffee.

[GatorAsh]

Hi. I just 'officially' joined DIS but have been reading TP's for some time now. This one is especially enjoyable to me as I live in Melbourne, about 30 minutes north of Vero, right up A1A.
I teach Kindergarten, and we take our students to the Barrier Island Sanctuary every year for a field trip. They love it, we love it- it's so cool to live in this area. Old Florida at it's best. Glad you enjoyed it too, and how neat that you saw hatchlings! I've lived in Florida for 13 years and have seen tons of turtles laying eggs, but never hatchlings. Amazing, isn't it?!

[mickeystoontown]

What wonderful news about your friends! God is so good!

I called that big grey boat/ship the Port Police but I'm not sure that's what it really was. I do know that there were quite a few men in uniform with guns on it when we docked in Nassau.

Nassau does look really pretty from the outside looking in. It's just what "in" that's so dirty and nasty. I'm looking forward to hearing what ya'll did the rest of the day.

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by MAGICFOR2

God is Good. ALL the time! So happy to hear the good news and answered prayers. I will have to come back later to read - need to go pick Jim up and get some dinner.

God is good.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Wonderful update, Cynthia. I like your idea of taking a walk every morning while on the ship; and you got such great pictures. I was so sorry to hear about your mug and then to see it in person. Would you like me to pick you up a new one when we are there later this year (we will be staying at OKW again)?

Can't wait to hear how the excursion at the hotel goes.

I might definitely take you up on that very sweet offer! The OKW mug saga will continue. I was missing OKW big time yesterday reading MeMom's latest updates. Oh I love that place! Still kind of wish it was a home...would be nice to have 11m advantage on their grand villas!

Nice thing about OKW, you definitely won't have to worry about Pop Warner, or any convention for that matter.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Glad for the good news.[

Awwww So sorry there was bad too. Thoughts and prayers for the family. [/QUOTE]

Thanks, Jeff is pretty upset, one of those friends you keep meaning to catch up with, have lunch with, and didn't.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

Such Pretty Pictures of Nassau. I know what you mean right off the boat not so great.

Spent time over the bridge on Paradise Island way back in another liftime.

Going back would only happen on a cruise. Maybe someday.

I honestly don't know what I'd do if I went back. No burning desire to do so that is for sure. Atlantis does look cool, but freaks me out. I know we'd lose Eric there, I can feel it in my bones. Staying on the ship somehow seems wrong but I couldn't get excited about the excursion options. All things considered we made a decent choice given the options and prices.

[Poolrat]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

I might definitely take you up on that very sweet offer! The OKW mug saga will continue. I was missing OKW big time yesterday reading MeMom's latest updates. Oh I love that place! Still kind of wish it was a home...would be nice to have 11m advantage on their grand villas!

Well shoot Cynthia if you need a new OKW west mug I will be there next week. Just say the word and it will be on its way to you.