How Jean's 75th Birthday Cruise became Cathy's Wild Ride

Cathy was sad, Cathy was mad, Cathy was crying, Cathy fell, Cathy was disappointed, Cathy was hot, Cathy was slow, Cathy was fast, Cathy was hurt, Cathy went to the ship's Doctor, Cathy shopped until she dropped. So Cathy was voted off the island -- and we all sailed off and left her at the hospital in Ketchikan Alaska.

...With two, Two, TWO hurt knees, rheumatoid arthritis, raging infection, compromised immune system, a hematoma in one knee and an infected cyst on the other, with the Doctor suggesting a hospital visit in Juneau and insisting in Ketchikan, Cathy was abandoned.

Cathy was escorted off the ship by the youngest and most able and most mobile family member, Amber. Cathy was met by an official car and an OFFICIAL from the Port Authority and whisked to emergency. The main fear was the rampant infection overwhelming her weakened immune system. You know, the stuff that kills you.

What a wild ride. Cathy had been going to the ship Doctor once or twice a day to try to get ahead of the issues and to try to continue enjoying her cruise. Sadly her cruise ended.

Jean was sad, Jean was crying, Jean fell, Jean was disappointed, Jean was slow, Jean was overwhelmed by grief and decisions that had to be made in hours. Jean couldn't stay due to her physical limitations, Jane and Amber were willing to stay because of their caring and medical expertise, Jerry and Jan were pretty worthless. The ship was supposed to sail at noon, the Port Authority assured Amber HE and only HE had the final say on when the ship left and that it wouldn't leave without her, or rather without his, well, without his authority, but still decisions had to be made.

It seems as though Cathy travels with some kind of angel sitting around. She traveled with a nurse, a hospital executive, her travel agent, and boat loads of caring folks. PLUS she traveled with Travel Guard Insurance -- don't leave home without it.

Travel Guard would take care of everything, and I mean everything, Princess Cruise Lines jumped in with all their care, Doctors were communicating with Doctors, ships were communicating with Port Authorities, Travel agents were explaining cruise insurance and opening claims, Amber was talking to Doctors and explained she needed to make a decision in five minuets, phone calls were flying, and Cathy. Well, Cathy took it all in stride.

Cathy was insisting, insisting that everyone continue with out her. I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to have let the ship and my family sail away with out me. Cathy absolutely wasn't going to let her mother stay. Jean really would have difficulty hobbling to and from a hotel to the hospital and Cathy knows more about her needs and capabilities than all the rest of us put together.

So off we sailed. Originally we hoped Cathy could meet up with the ship in Victoria -- that didn't happen. Then we hoped she would meet up with us in Seattle -- that didn't happen.

What happened is Cathy stayed for six days in the hospital in Ketchican. Meanwhile, back on board, Princess Cruise Lines told Jean to make all the ship to shore phone calls she wanted at no charge (the regular charge is 4.95 a minute), her travel agent arranged for visits from people she knew in Ketchican, nurses made sure she had the room with the best view, Travel Guard Insurance started arrangements for Cathy's boyfriend, Kenny, to fly to Ketchican to escort her home. Cathy and Kenny are flying first class from Ketchikan Alaska to Oklahoma City Thursday, her regular doctors are fully informed and appointments have been made for Friday.

Cathy's wild ride.

There is more, but it will have to wait for a campfire or a coffee session or a Tulsa trip.

And I need to tell you about Jerry's first visit to a bikini barista, the one where Marc texted Amber, "I told you to take care of him not kill him."

And Cathy really, really wanted to go to the Christmas shop in Ketchikan. It was supposed to be the best one in Alaska. She was within 30 yards but didn't make a break for it. Cathy was brave, again.

Jerry, Jane and Jean fly out of Seattle Friday the 19th, and I owe Cathy big time, especially a trip to, or maybe 15 or so, Christmas shops. If you feel like it send Cathy a Christmas doodad, not a get well card.

I am still in awe of her bravery. Can I pretend she stayed in Ketchican for an extended stay at a Health Spa?