Help!!!!! I need to get motivated!!!!!

[MoonBaby]

My cruise leaves in 5 days and I am leaving for NYC in 3. Am I packed???? NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I AM excited about the cruise...but I have Fibromyalgia and it's acting up...I am hurting and exhausted. I know the adrenalin will kick in once I am on the ship and I will feel better..but those suitcases are NOT going to pack themselves!!! And I need to get my hair cut and a pedicure [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

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[Happy ks]

I'm so sorry for your pain and fatigue, I've never experienced it, it must be awful. Why don't you start slow, getting one bag ready at a time, resting in between. If you haven't made a packing list yet, maybe start or finish that to get you a little more motivated.

As for the haircut and pedicure, think how soothing it will be to get pampered!

Have a fun cruise, I hope you are feeling better soon.

Kathy

[ryansmemom]

Dear Moon Baby,

I am a licensed psychologist who specializes in treatment of chronic pain. I also suffer from chronic pain myself. The best advice I can give you is to slow down. Get some sleep. Try to take a nap. Get your haircut and pedicure.Pack slowly, get yourself organized first. Get some help. Don't try to do too much at a time. Get lots of rest.

Sleep deprivation is a problematic for all of us, but for people with chronic pain it is vital to get plenty of rest and not be overly stressed even if that stess is for a good reason like a cruise.

If music helps you relax, play some music, do what ever helps. Slow down, rest, take your meds, get help and support.

You can email me at: [email]ryansmemom@aol.com[/email]

Linda

Thanks for listening

[PiperMcB]

I have Lupus and the associated pain and fatigue that goes with it and also spinal stenosis and degeneration. One thing I have learned to do is to break a task into manageable chunks.....maybe pack the underwear & socks--then rest...next tackle the shirts--rest, etc. It feels good to get each part done--you are reaching a goal every time.

Sometimes (no, a lot of the time) I set a timer for 15 minutes and do what I can for that time, then I rest for 15 to 30 minutes & set the timer again. It is amazing what these techniques allow you to accomplish. Plus, I find that I feel better about myself when I can see little things being done.

Piper
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[MoonBaby]

Thanks so much for all the support and advice! I am a little less stressed today. Last night I got all the clothes OUT...sorting into what's ready to pack, what needs to be ironed etc. So I am going to start in a few mintues...slowly....take breaks...

I just came back from a doctor's appt. Well, the doc wasn't there...the secretary said they EMAILED me on May 22nd to call and reschedule..what happened to the good old phone call? I didn't even know they HAD my email address, and of course it was an old one and I didn't get the email! Thank goodness I have all my meds, just got them all refilled! So now I have an appt when I get back from my cruise.

My hubby was going to work til noon on Thursday (we are leaving for NYC at 5:30 pm) but he got the whole day off! Yeah!!!!! Having him here the whole day ..helping me make sure we've got everything together will be a BIG help. He is such a wonderful guy and so supportive of me (and all my health problems!)

Once again, thanks for the advice and support!

hugggggggs,
Moonbaby

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[Cruise Miriam]

Moonbaby, I have lupus, fibromylgia and other systemic problems. I am also a certified lupus self-help instructor. One of the things we teach in our class is how to pace, plan, prioritize and problem solve to help reduce fatigue, stress and pain. We tell people we p all over the place.

You've gotten some good suggestions here. You might also want to try a warm bubble bath to help you relax. Don't try to do everything at once. Make a list and decide what's most important, get that done, then go to the next thing.

Host Miriam
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[ryansmemom]

Hi Moombaby

I'm so glad you are feeling better. I think it is great that your husband is taking the extra time off to help you. I'm glad you got started. Just remermber to pace yourself. Relax, take things slowly. Plan things out and do one thing at a time. Get lot's of rest.

I really like Miriam's suggestion of a bubble bath. If that is appealing to you, go for it. Get lots of rest. A cruise is the perfect vacation for you. I know it is for me.


Have a wonderful time. Happy anniversay. If it's not too much for you, let us know how you are when you get back.

Linda

Thanks for listening

[MoonBaby]

I'm BAAAAACK!!!! Had a wonderful time! Managed to get everything packed into only TWO suitcases and a roll on carryon!!!!! (My Mother-In-Law, who we stayed with in NYC precruise, thought we had way too much luggage! LMAO!!!!!Can you tell she has never cruised?)

Felt ok on the cruise, not as great as I would have liked to, but managed.
The worst part was after we disembarked, there were FOUR ships all disgorging passengers at the same time (including the QM2!) For some strange reason, they let us all off the ships on the SECOND level (last year on the Legend we got off the ship on the first level, picked up our luggage and walked out..it was a breeze.) So there were THOUSANDS of passengers in lines about 10 across....with a huge backup..turned out the line was because at the NY Cruise Terminal, if you had more luggage then you could pick up and carry, you HAD to take the elevators..and there were only TWO! Granted they were larger elevators..but no way capable of handling the thousands of passengers, all with extra luggage! After what seemed like ages (and me getting pankicky cause I anxiety attacks when I am in large crowds of people with no way OUT) we finally make it to the elevator..at least I did. Some cruise terminal employee told us to get in..push all the way back, cram in...and SOMEONE RAN OVER MY BIG TOE WITH A HEAVY ROLLING SUITCASE!
It was such a madhouse I couldn't even tell who did it. And hubby was stopped and had to wait for the next trip! Split my toe nail almost the whole way across...blood everywhere..and did it HURT!!!!!!! By the time hubby got down on the elevator I was in tears. What a way to end a cruise!!!!!!!
I have vowed NEVER to cruise out of the NY Cruise Terminal again unless they make MAJOR changes and improvements! It was unbelievably bad!!!!!

Ok, I've vented about my poor toe...I just would like to thank all of you who gave me so much support! You're the best!!!!!!!

[MoonBaby]

[size=3][color=black]Bumping this up so that the nice people who helped me will see I am back safely![/color][/size]

[ryansmemom]

Dear Moonbaby,

Welcome back. I remember embarking and disembarking in NY. I felt more like cargo than a passenger, especially in the elevator. It was a huge cargo elevator and we were packed in like sardines. I assure you that the intensity of the memory will fade and if you let it it will become one of those humerous anitdotes you tell people about your cruise.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your actual cruise. I hope it was relaxing and stress free, or at least as stress free as anything can possibly be. I hope you were able to benifit from the experience. Please tell me about it. Send me an email, or post. I'd love to here more about it.

Linda:)

[Princess Di]

Thank you for posting your dilemma.
Even healthy pax can benefit from the good advice you received here on the Boards. We sailed the Old Pacific Princess to Bermuda in 2001 on one of her Last Cruises. I agree with you that the NYC terminals are really awful. I understand that since the Cunard is visiting so frequently, there are some Terminal Upgrades planned. I don't blame you for being Wild with the DisemBarkation. I thought we would Never find a taxi. We had to take 2 taxis (5 in our family) to get to our Hotel. Glad you are home safely and enjoyed your cruise. :cool: