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Last Day of the Cruise

I woke up at 5:25 this morning. Kate also woke up and asked the time. I told her. We both remained in bed. Just before 6:00, I got up to get ready for breakfast. I left the room just before 6:30. Kate asked that I bring her something.

When I got back to the room, she had opened the drapes and was on her iPad in the bed. I turned on the TV and put her breakfast open the table. She got out of bed and ate everything I brought (yogurt, a muffin, smoked salmon, apple juice). The she got right back in the bed. She pulled the covers over her and appears to be going back to sleep.

When I told her earlier that this is the last day of our cruise, she expressed surprise and said it had been a nice trip. She then said she would like to get back to her yard. As she ate her breakfast, she also mentioned getting back to her bed and bathrooms, etc. This follows a comment yesterday that she was going to spend time in the yard when she got home.

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Thoughts

We are at sea today, the next to the last day of our cruise. I got up before Kate this morning as I usually do. I went upstairs to the Lido for breakfast. When I got back, she was awake. She had taken her shower and was working a puzzle on her iPad. I asked if she would like some breakfast. She did and wanted me to bring something to the room. I did so. In a little while she was back in bed. I took a walk around the ship. I returned after 30 minutes to check on her. She was still resting; so I went back out. I came back in another 20 minutes. She was still in bed but working a puzzle on her iPad. I asked if she would like to get out of the room. At first she didn’t seem interested, but then decided she did. I took her up to the observation lounge. As we were about to enter, she said, “I’m hungry.” That led to my taking her to lunch instead. When we finished lunch, we went back to the observation lounge. We weren’t there 10 minutes before she said, “Would you mind if we went back to the room.” I told her I wouldn’t. I told her I might go to the gym while she was resting.

When we got to our floor, we saw our cabin attendants who told us they were just finishing one room and were going to our room next. That led us back to the Lido where we are on our iPads while they clean up our room. We’ll give them another 10 minutes or so and return so that Kate can take a rest, and I can go to the gym.

As I mentioned in an email to Tom and Bruce this morning, I have noticed an unusual decline in Kate over the past 4-6 weeks. She is quite tired, somewhat more irritable, and also more confused. All these things are giving me pause to think seriously about our planned cruise in May. I really hate to cancel, but I would not want to do anything that could result in a problem. I am particularly concerned about the possibility of Kate’s getting lost and the fact that it is difficult for her to get ready for excursions. The fact that she is no longer drawn to the evening shows means that is one less thing that she can enjoy. I still have 3 weeks before I have to commit.

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Erratic Behavior

About 35-40 minutes ago, Kate said she was hungry. I told here her we would be going to dinner around 5:30 but we could go get a slice of pizza or something else if she would like. She indicated that she would. A few minutes later she got out of bed to get ready. Instead of putting on her clothes, she got into the shower. When she came out, she said, “OK, now it’s all yours.” It was as though she thought we were getting ready for dinner not just to get something to address the immediate sense of hunger. She got her clothes and sat on the bed. Then she said she was feeling hungry. She seemed as though I had been rushing her. I hadn’t said or done anything that should have given her that impression. I told her that I didn’t mean to rush her. She held up her hand and stopped me. This is a common pattern when she doesn’t want me to say anything. Before getting dressed, she said, “I just need to rest a minute. OK?” I told her that would be fine. I am going to let her rest as long as she wants. If she takes too long, I will have her dress for dinner rather than just putting on what she had been wearing earlier. Tonight is formal dining; so it will require a little more preparation for both of us.

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Lost in St. Thomas

We caught a taxi into Charlotte Amalie around 11:00 this morning. We went to a small local restaurant recommended to us by a woman working a tourist information kiosk. Shortly after we were seated, Kate asked, “What do I usually get here?” I told her that we hadn’t been to this restaurant before. Moments later she saw a waitress passing by and said, “I remember her from yesterday.” When the waitress walked by again, Kate waved to her and said, “Nice to see you again.”

We sat next to a couple from Sacramento whose son is on the faculty at the UT. It turns out their stateroom is on the same deck as ours.

After lunch we walked around for a short time but decided we would be happier back at the ship. We caught a taxi back to the port where we went into a gift shop where I bought a ceramic coffee cup that I want to use for Dad’s ashes when we scatter them on this Friday afternoon. I told Kate I was going to the register to pay for the cup. She was still in the shop at that time. When I left the register, I didn’t see her. I then looked around the shop and still didn’t see her. That led to my going outside. A man from another cruise ship noticed that I was looking around. He jokingly said, “Lose something?” I told him, “My wife.” He went on to say that wasn’t so bad. I could always get another one. I didn’t try to explain but as I moved around the gift shop and looked outside, he kept talking. I told him that in this case, I was really worried, that my wife had Alzheimer’s. He and his wife then helped me look for her but they had to meet a group for a shore excursion of their own. After 15 minutes or so I decided to walk toward the ship thinking that because of its size, she was bound to see it and might go there. When I reached the check-in gate, she was there waiting for me. She did not seem disturbed. We haven’t discussed it at all, but it was quite a scare because she violated a rule that we have had a long time: “Stay in one spot so that I can find you.” That would have been the gift shop.

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Morning in St. Thomas

Kate and I both got up about the same time this morning. It was the first time we had eaten breakfast in the main dining room as well as the first time we had eaten breakfast together on this trip. She seemed more rested than yesterday – an encouraging sign.

We went to breakfast as the dining room opened (7:30). We sat with a couple from British Columbia. We finished before 8:30. Kate was ready to get back to the room. The moment we walked into the room she got into bed. Close to 9:00, I went for a walk and returned just before starting this post. She is still resting in bed. My plan is to stay here until 10 or 10:30 or until she gets up. I thought we would get a taxi to the center of town, look around, have some lunch, and come back to the ship for the afternoon.

9:46 am

Kate is still in bed and hasn’t said a word since I returned from my walk. I will probably let her rest another 20-30 minutes before seeing if she would like to go into St. Thomas.

10:11 am

I just came back from another short walk around the ship. Before leaving, I told Kate I was going for a walk and that, if she wanted, we might get off the ship and have lunch in St. Thomas. She indicated that might be nice.

On my return I found her still in bed. Her eyes were open. I asked if she were comfortable. She indicated she was. I asked if she wanted to rest a little bit more. She said she would. She is very relaxed.

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Signs of Being Tired or Bored

Just after 11:30 this morning we went to the Observation Lounge where we spent a little more than an hour. Kate moved even more slowly than she usually does. She looked very tired as though she might fall with every step. She worked jigsaw puzzles on her iPad. I read the New York Times, checked email, and read a portion of a Jon Meachan book on religion in American history.

We went to the Lido for lunch. I pointed out the options. She decided, without much interest, for me to get her some roast chicken. I got that accompanied by mixed vegetables and tomatoes. We had a generous helping of bread pudding for dessert.

From there we went back to the room where she got into bed. I checked email and the day’s printed schedule. Then I thought this might be a good time for me to go to the exercise room. I was up there an hour. When I returned she was still in bed. Now she was working on her iPad. She seemed forlorn. I asked if she were bored. She said she was. I asked if she might like to get out and get some ice cream. She accepted.

We walked up the stairs to the Lido. It took her forever. She seemed even more tired than this morning. I found a seat for her and told her I would get her some ice cream. When she was almost finished, she saw a man walk by with cookies. I asked if she would like some as well. She did. I got them.

I asked if she thought the trip was wearing her out. She was offended and indicated that it did not. I dropped the subject. I had hesitated asking her because I thought that might be her reaction, but periodically I decide I should try that approach. The reality is that she just can’t discuss her condition and doesn’t want to.

She is now back on her iPad while I am writing this post. We have dinner at Canaletto at 6:30. I will probably take her back to the room and then go to the evening’s entertainment, two illusionists.

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Resting

I took Kate upstairs to the Lido for breakfast. She was very groggy this morning. She rested at the landing at each floor though we only had to climb 2 flights. Once upstairs, I felt the need to guide her through the breakfast process, showing her where the items are that she usually gets. She spoke very little. We took a seat by the window on the shady side. She didn’t speak throughout the breakfast except once in response to a question I asked. Late in the breakfast a steward asked if she would like something to drink. She said she would. As he left, she gave me a look as though I had disapproved of her getting the orange juice. I asked, “You seem to feel that I am disapproving.” She answered, “Why do you say that?” I went on to explain that my comment was based on her expression. She said, “I thought you thought I shouldn’t be getting orange juice so late in my breakfast.”

I asked her what she would like to do when she was finished. She looked puzzled. Then I explained that sometimes she liked to go back to the room to rest a bit before doing anything else. She indicated that was what she wanted to do today; so that is what we did. She got right into the bed and pulled the covers over her. I took a walk and have just returned to the room where she appeared to be sleeping. A few minutes ago she woke up. I just asked her if she would like to take her iPad up to the Observation Lounge and relax or if she would like to get off the ship and walk around the area. She hasn’t answered yet. She simply looks comfortable and not ready to move. I plan to let her do so as long as she wants. Then see what happens.

It’s been about 10 minutes. She finally spoke. She said, “What about my iPad?” I told her it was right beside me. She said, “Good.” She didn’t say anything for a moment. Then I asked if she would like it. She said, “yes,” and I gave it to her. She opened it and started working on a jigsaw puzzle. She is still in bed with the covers pulled up over most of her body. She is slightly propped up but not in a sitting position.

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From St. Kitts

Yesterday we had a good day in Martinique. We did get off to a rough start. Once again, we had an early morning excursion (8:45). Kate was awake early, but didn’t get ready until I told her it was time for her to do so. Then she took such a long time that I had to push her. She was furious with me. I decided right then not to do another early morning excursion. I have signed up for nothing today or tomorrow when we are in St. Thomas.

Despite the rough start, we had a very good 4-hour tour that took us to several parts of the island. The focus was a visit to the Batala Botanical Garden. It is a beautiful island – very lush with vegetation. The garden highlighted that beauty. We also had a good guide. The tour also involved a bus ride through a rain forest with several views of Mont Pele, the volcano that erupted in 1901 or 1902. Everyone (30,000) but one person living in St. Pierre was killed except an inmate in an underground prison. He later became a part of Ringling Brothers.

We got back to the ship around 1:30 and had lunch in the Lido, the more casual alternative dining venue. After lunch, she had a facial at the spa while I walked on the treadmill in the exercise room. She finished around 4:45 which gave us just over an hour to get to dinner. We ate at a table for 6 at the stern of the ship. One couple was from Dayton, OH. The other from Portland, OR. Coincidentally, the woman from Dayton is named Kate and a retired educator/librarian.

Kate did not feel up to going to the evening’s entertainment; so I went alone again (the sixth our of seven nights on the cruise).

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Too Tired for Evening Performances

One of the things that Kate and I have enjoyed on previous cruises is the nightly entertainment following dinner. We have now had 5 nights, and she has attended only 1 show. She has just felt too tired. I have not pushed her. I had wanted the trip to be as leisurely as possible. To force her would serve no purpose at all. I still feel comfortable leaving her alone in the cabin. I am not sure that I will feel that way next time (May). If I can’t leave her, I will just remain in the room with her and miss the shows myself.

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Leaving St. Lucia With Pleasant Memories

We pulled away from the dock in St. Lucia about thirty minutes ago. I am glad to report that we have had a nice day. As I mentioned in my post this morning, Kate had done a good job getting ready. She has had no complications associated with her fall yesterday. That is a relief. That would have had quite an impact on our pleasure for the balance of the trip and potentially after returning home.

This morning we took an excursion called “The Essence of St. Lucia.” It was a leisurely van tour (10 other passengers) with a terrific guide. We got to see a variety of plants, sampled some fruits and sweets, tasted local rum, and heard a lot of tales about the area and its people.

We came back for lunch at the Lido. Kate got a little peeved with me as we went to lunch. I think it involved her thinking I was rushing her. She cooled down after we had eaten. Then she wanted to go someplace where she could work on her iPad. I took her to the Observation Lounge while I used the treadmill in the exercise room. After I was through, I joined her for about an hour. Then we went back to the room where she wanted to take a nap. She was worn out. I came to the Lido where I have been catching up on email and watching the scenery as we cruise along the island. When we get to the end of the island, we are going to pick up some passengers who had taken an excursion that left them at a town there. They will join us via tender boats.