Very fatigued - 6/28/12

Pretty fatigued during the last few days.Walking gate is slow and a bit halting. Walking any distance is not really possible. Managed to walk about half of the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Throat dryness and mucus is marginally better. Eyes are doing much better since I have been using drops and ointment. All things considered, I think I am doing pretty well. But, will not be moving quickly over any distance any time soon.

Fatigue - 6/22/12 - 7 weeks

It has now been 7 weeks since my last radiation treatment. Before and after the trip, I had been getting into the office for 6 to 7 hours a day until yesterday. Significant fatigue started about Tuesday and Wednesday. By yesterday, Thursday, I was fuzzy, wobbly and very fatigued. I did not try to go into the office. Basically, I slept all day until about 2:30PM.

I was tired during the British Isles trip and during the first week back at work. But, the fatigue seemed to get worse each day this week - until it really beat me yesterday. After sleeping for the entire day, I was able to get into the office for a somewhat normal day today. Am able to do most normal activities and have caught up on most things.

I think I will plan on being pretty lazy this weekend. Going to the Farmer's Market tomorrow AM will be a last-minute decision based on how I feel.

Final British Isles

6/11-12 British Isles

After disembarkation, we stayed at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam. First afternoon, we mostly rested. Had tea and dinner at the hotel. 

Monday, we ventured out a little. Took a canal cruise tour. Turned out to be very sunny and warm. Interesting city though it lacks the architectural interest of the larger cities we have visited in Europe. 

We decided to have High Tea at the hotel at 4:00. Got way too much food. We should have ordered one with a second tea only. We got double of everything - sandwiches, sweets, scones... It was about 5:30 when we finished. We decided to skip dinner. 

We turned in a little early since we had an early pickup. Very good breakfast. The hotel was almost on par with The Goring in London. Our room and the restaurants looked out at the Amstel River. Lots of small boats. Also, Amsterdam is loaded with bicycles - like Copenhagen. 

Upon arriving at the United check-in, we learned that our flight was significantly delayed. But, we had already been rebooked to fly through Houston rather than Chicago. Good thing we got to the airport early since the new flight left almost an hour earlier. We will, hopefully, get home earlier than our original flights with the delay. Called our limo. Hope it all works out. Around 12+ hours total flight time. 

By the way, security was much simpler in Amsterdam. Not looking forward to Customs and international to domestic terminal change in Houston.  But, Chicago would probably be worse. 

We will be glad to get into our own beds. 

PS - It was a very long day. 6AM Amsterdam time to 7:30PM Indy time.  13-14 hours with 12+ hours on planes. Very glad to be home.

Cruise Reflections

6/10 disembark in Amsterdam. 

We left the Azamara Journey this morning about 8:00. Very easy. One of our smoothest disembarkations. In about 30 minutes, we were off, got our luggage, a porter to help immediately, driver waiting, loaded the SUV, 15 minutes to hotel, checked in. 

We are quite early and our room is not ready yet. Waiting in a comfortable conservatory - windows all around, ceiling is windows, lots of plants, soft music, river outside.  Brought a nice tea service. 

Really good to relax for a few minutes. 

Reflecting on the past week+, this has been a wonderful trip. Meeting good friends in London. Good food. Afternoon tea. Interesting tourist activities. Great time. 

South Hamptom boarding was a breeze. Onboard was highlighted by fun activities, outstanding entertainment, very nice opportunities for tea/latte. We ate very well. 

Our first suite had issues. But, we were very happy with the relocation to a different suite. Staff for the suite was excellent. In-suite breakfast each morning. Afternoon tea in cabin or on the Mosaic Cafe. 

Listened often to a piano lounge singer in the Mosaic Lounge. Good place to relax, listen to music, have tea and chat with other passengers. 

Most lunches & dinners were at Windows Cafe. Smallish buffet with stir fry,  pizza, salads, sandwiches, ethnic themed meals - German, Thai, Italian, Asian  and always wide selection of desserts. 

We only ate in the main dining once and a specialty restaurant once. 

A couple special events - High Tea for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and an officers BBQ. 

I could write a long entry about entertainment, games, shows, guest entertainers and the ship's singing/dancing troupe. We really had lots of fun. 

I think that we will definitely watch for future trips on Azamara. Good ship size for us. Packed with the types of activities and entertainment that we prefer. 

Take care and be well. 

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse short responses and typos. 

6/4-5-6

Sorry if this is a repeat. It hasn't shown up that I sent it. 

6/4-5-6 British Isles

Monday - the Isle of Skye, Scotland - Ferry to Island of Shapinsay & Balfour. It was supposed to be a castle. But, it was really a very big house that happened to have stone walls and towers to look like a castle. As far as we know, no royalty has ever lived here. 

Tuesday, Invergordon, Scotland. Cawdor Castle - a real castle. Lord Balfour is, apparently, the person who financed the excavation of King Tut's tomb. We toured the castle & had tea in a small shop. Nice scenic ride while we were awake. 

Wednesday, at sea. Typical at sea trivia, games, shows and forensic lectures. This was his 4th lecture and we have enjoyed listening to him. 

Tonight we are in the North Sea. Ship has been rolling big time. Dinner, tea/latte, lecture, show have all been heavy rolling. Should be a rocky night. 

Take care and be well. 

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse short responses and typos. 

6/3 At sea

6/3 Brtish Isles - at sea 

Today was a day at sea sailing to Scotland. We attended the 3rd lecture about cold cases, DNA analysis and the Russian Czar and his murdered family. The speaker has been very good. Quite informative about crime solving techniques - application of new methods for very old cold cases. 

Great Britain celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee today - 60 years as Queen. The ship was decorated with the Union Jack colors, served high tea and showed the BBC broadcast on a movie screen. 

Mid-day, we changed cabins. When we rec'd a survey, Jill told them about the chilly temp and the noise from workers and from daytime practicing by the band in the Cabaret just below us. 

We accepted the ship's offer to move to a different suite at the rear of the ship. Equally nice suite but much quieter. 

By the way, Jill wants to know if anyone has a cardamom cookie recipe.  

Take care and be well. 

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse short responses and typos. 

6/2 Wales

We visited Holyhead, Wales today. Toured Caernarfon Castle. It is one of
the most impressive castles ordered built by King Edward I. Prince Charles
was invested at Caernarfon as the Prince of Wales by Queen Elizabeth II.
The castle was built on the location of a Roman fortification from more
than a thousand years earlier. Evidence can be found in the area from
inhabitants about 7000 years ago.

The walking was tiring. I napped in the bus returning to the ship & I
napped in the cabin after lunch. We enjoyed trivia & shows.

Take care and be well.

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse short responses and typos.