By Kim Gantt, Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web, Inc.
This past March my husband and I got a chance to escape the stress of our lives with a sailing on the brand new Norwegian Getaway. We weren’t sure we were going to make it, as just two weeks earlier my husband Dave was in the hospital.
But Dave spending time in the hospital is, unfortunately, not a surprising event anymore. You see, my husband is fighting brain cancer. He is one of only three people in the whole country who has survived more than six years with his certain type of tumor.
He is currently on steroids and taking an oral form of chemotherapy. Less than a year ago he was in a medically induced coma to “restart” his brain. He was suffering from seizures and couldn’t walk or eat without help.
This cruise was the break we needed. It allowed us to refill our tanks with energy.
What was great about this cruise was the staff. I cannot say enough. Before we went on the cruise we got the OK from Dave’s doctors and then we coordinated with the cruise line’s special needs department. Before the cruise we faxed over some of Dave’s medical records and a list of medications he was taking.
Dave wasn’t in need of any treatments during the cruise, but we wanted to make sure that the medical staff was well aware, just in case something happened. I didn’t expect we’d even deal with the medical staff. However, when we boarded we were greeted by the medical staff and they let us know they were available for us if we needed them. The ship’s doctor even called to check in during one of our port days. It made me feel very comfortable.
Throughout the whole cruise, I felt like I was with family. We were never made to feel like just passengers. This itinerary was also the perfect one. We were onboard for seven nights and we had three port days. One in St. Maarten, one in St. Thomas and another in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
At first I was apprehensive that my husband wouldn’t like all those days at sea, but we realized it was perfect. The first two days of the cruise were sea days so it was perfect, it was carefree.
I have to say that our experience shows that just because you are sick, it shouldn’t stop you from getting away. In fact, it could be just what you need. You can have an enjoyable time and you are not limited.
Kim Gantt
Cruise Consultant
The Cruise Web, Inc.
240.487.0155 ext.428
kimg@cruiseweb.com
Cruising with Cancer: One Couple's Story of Restarts and Refills