Game Over

Game Over

1^st May 2012

It’s another turn around day and things haven’t been going too smoothly to say the least. I’ve been back and forth to the medical facility, trying to get an appointment to see a specialist in Port Canaveral or Nassau. So far, nothing has materialized for a number of different reasons.

The first problem we encountered was the medical facility not knowing who would pay the medical expenses, Disney or Image. In the end, we found out it would be down to Image Photo Services, but the medical couldn’t get confirmation as to whether or not they would pay or if my medical insurance covered such injuries. Although the medical was sure I would be covered as it’s a work related injury, rather than hurting myself while jet skiing, it was still a case of waiting and waiting some more.

My doctor at the medical facility changed too and I finally got a diagnosis. The pain in my wrist which wasn’t improving was in fact, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Apparently, it’s very common in photographers and spa girls working on ships, due to the amount of repetitive movements and pressure we put our hands and wrists under.

I guess when in Ressi, getting an image count of 300 an hour and flipping your wrist for horizontal and vertical shots around 100-150 times, it’s bound to cause some sort of damage. But who would have thought? I won’t lie, I’d never heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before this. Google really did come in handy for a bit of research! Either I’m going to need a bit of surgery or inflammatory pills to sort my wrist, but I’ll be having to take a long time off work to recover.

While off in Port Canaveral I spotted Lee and Chet heading over to the shuttle bus, back to their ships. They had no idea I was there, so I ran after them. With the way things are going, I didn’t want to chance not seeing them again. I told them what had been going on and neither could really get their heads around it, not like I could either. I laughed at how medical wanted to medically disembark me today, with less than 24 hours’ notice. My stop was first, and I was reluctant to say bye to either one of them, especially Lee, in case I was sent home.

It seemed strange and just shows how time flies. Lee is one of the closest friends I have in ship life. I’ll never forget the day he showed Hernan and I around the Mariner of the Seas. Also, going for drinks in SOB with Lee, while he gave me some tips of the trade and we nattered on about everything and anything. He was so easy to get on with. I first met Chet over a year ago at Miami training and hadn’t seen him since, until a couple of days prior to today.

I was online, in Nassau, about to go back to the ship when I got a message from Lee saying Monarch was docked next to Magic. Packing my things, I ran over to their ship. Lee had literally just got back on board and came back out to see  me. Not long after, to my surprise, Chet came strolling out. We literally had 20 minutes before I had return to my ship. It was still great seeing them again and one of those pit stops I won’t be forgetting for a while. I wish I had a team like they did on the Monarch. As Lee says; they work hard, play harder.

Back on board Disney Magic, I popped into the medical facility again. My fingers were crossed that I could at least get some answers as to what would be happening. If and when I’d be getting my referral to see a specialist in Port Canaveral or Nassau. Unfortunately, no referral was made. The good news was that Image have agreed to pay my medical expenses. Talking to the doctor, he said I’d need at least a month out to recover. Therefore, he was having me medically disembarked the following Port Canaveral in four days.

Although my heart sunk and thudded once it reached the pit of my stomach, I was relieved in many ways. First of all, once back in Uruguay, I could finally get my wrist sorted once and for all. Image paying the medical bills was a real relief, I can tell you.

Secondly and most importantly, I’d get to see the parents again. It’s been hard working so far away from home, knowing your mom isn’t well, having to hear all about the chemotherapy, its side effects and then plaster on a smile to photograph/serve guests when your head is elsewhere.

Now came the hard part, telling Csaba and Aniko. After what seemed like ages, I found Csaba and told him I was to be medically disembarked in Port Canaveral. He wasn’t happy but almost expected it. Having said that, he was still clutching at straws, hoping that I could be spared from being disembarked, getting the treatment in one of the ports and doing light duties in the meantime. An experienced photographer with one hand and able to do some work is better than a new hire or nobody at all. I could see his logic and Csaba was in a sticky situation!

Why is Csaba in a sticky situation? Well, three out of four of the team’s strongest members are leaving or have left. Kate resigned and left today. Carolee would be going on vacation in four days, the same day I disembark. Ani would be left to take the burden, train the new hire Toni and drag the others along with her.
By the looks of it, Image weren’t sending a replacement for Carolee and obviously, it might take a couple of cruises until they find someone to take my spot. Csaba, however, didn’t want just anyone. No more new hires. He, quite rightly so, wanted and needed experienced photographers or else the team would literally sink and drown.

Changing and going to Display, Ani was there. I think she knew what was coming but still upset when I told her I’d be leaving. She’s one of the few people I get on with in the team, the closest.

Once I had a chance, I got online to call the parents. They were pleased I was coming home and would be seeing them shortly but as you can imagine, it wasn’t in the best of circumstances. The mama with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Dad in need of a hip replacement and now me, a one handed daughter – such is the Tickle family at this present moment in time! What a family!

So,  for me, it’s game over… for now. The countdown is on, again, for the second time. Four days left to go…