Bittersweet last trip

[lisadam]

I couldn't even read your whole post - my dad too was diagnosed in July of last year - with pancreatic cancer - he's had the stint in to drain the bile - in fact - if I am remembering all the surgeries correctly - he's had it "fixed" two or three times since... he's gone thru 4 months of chemo and then radiation WITH chemo and is now part of a clinical trial with experimental drugs that are making him SICKER - he was admitted into the hospital last night and is on his third unit of blood - thats 11 units in the last week and a half

we started to plan a big family beach vacation - he simply cannot do it - PLEASE enjoy every moment you can - I want to walk on the beach with my dad - I want my 4 year old son (and his young cousins) to know grandpa better....

my thoughts are with you and your family... hold on to the smiles and the laughing - its what will get us thru

 

[taylor1293]

(((hugs)))

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[minniecarousel]

Carrie - my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. I don't know what else to say.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Your post has brought me to tears thinking of how much my late Mother wanted to take her grandchildren to WDW. She never had the chance. The Lord took her at the young age of fifty eight. Enjoy the wonderful moments you all will have together. You will hang onto these memories forever. My prayers are with you and your loving family.

 

[sneezy1956]

Originally posted by CarrieAP
Please bear with me for this post. Not your typical post, but instead selfish therapeutic venting on my part.

We are in the process of losing my dad also. It's so taxing on a family! I have your family in my thoughts and prayers!

I hope disney provides you with some magical memories.

Jane

 

[dreamflight99]

You're father is a blessed man, to have such wonderful "family" in his world. Enjoy your visit together. Make the magical memories which will last a lifetime. Laugh often, and listen carefully. If you tilt your ear ever so slightly towards the sky, while resting under the soft billowy clouds over WDW, you can hear the man himself laughing with you. "Welcome", he whispers, "TO THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH." Enjoy, and thank you for your eloquent & poignant post.

 

[Ashley's mom]

Your message just put me in tears. I am so sorry for what you are enduring right now. You and your family will of course be in my prayers. I hope that you remember to get a audio tape of your dad's voice...video reminds you how thin he was, but an audio tape will help you remember him as he was....and what is dearer to a little girl than her daddy's tender voice.

My husband and I are having marital problems right now and I have been pretty cold to him lately. Your story is the jolt I needed to remind me what is important.

Hugs to you.

 

[jenny2]

Your father and your family will be in my thoughts.

 

[Penny12]

I hope that this trip provides you with many precious memories to cherish in the days ahead. My best wishes to you all.

 

[CarrieAP]

The outpouring of emotion and support from all of you has left me speechless. And of course you have started me crying all over again! On the positive side if I get it out of my system today I will be able to be dry eyed when I join my family in Disney tomorrow evening. All the words of advice will be taken to heart. Amazing how many stories there are; I love hearing everyone of them. Guess one of the benefits of our highly technical, stressful lifestyle is the ability to connect to strangers from around the world! I believe totally in the power of prayer and can feel the energy created by all your warm thoughts and kindness.

It is somewhat ironic that we are more open and able to support others once we have suffered ourselves. I was offered an opportunity myself just Tuesday evening. I just returned to work Monday after being off for 3 weeks to be with my dad. I am a nursing director at a hospital. At about 5:15 just as I was gettign ready to go home one of my nurses and a social worker asked if they could use my office. One of our nurses had just received a phone call that her son was killed by hostile gun fire in Irag. There are no words to describe the following hours. The hospital priest and I waited in my office for the Air Force to drive from her home, where they had first stopped, to the hospital. She lives 45 minutes away and it was anguish. To witness her hearing the news and then sitting in the chapel for almost an hour waiting for her boyfriend to come and drive her home was heartbreaking. I was provided an opportunity though to listen and support her; we were both sobbing when her bewildered boyfriend arrived. Giving to others can help to relieve some of our own pain. Yes, life is precious and can change in a moment so must be lived fully each day.

I cannot begin to thank you enough for all your words of kindness as they provide such comfort.

Carrie

 

[Texan]

I am sitting here at work with so many tears. The love for your father and your family is so evident. I feel for you, and will send many prayers your way for strength. What a blessing to spend this time with your dad, for the time to create memories to cherish. Enjoy every moment, and please post your trip reports and let us know how your father is.

 

[Jen D]

I'm so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Enjoy this trip. We're sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Uncle Shel]

My thoughts and prayers go with you. God bless.

 

[welovedis]

Carrie-
My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. I pray you'll have a magical trip with memories to last a lifetime.

BTW-I live in Rochester & am very involved with volunteer work @ Strong, my DH is on staff there. If there is anything I could do to help just send me a PM or email me.

Prayers & pixie dust to you-

 

[Patio]

Carrie, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Cherish every moment of your trip with your Dad and take lots of pictures. Please keep us posted on your trip and your Dad's health. Miracles do happen, hope one happens for your Dad!!
{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

 

[robinb]

Thank you for sharing your heart-warming, tear-producing story. Your love is so obvious! Have a great time at WDW with your family. I'll be looking forward to reading your trip report.

 

[MARRAR]

Thoughts and prayers with you,,,enjoy yourself...that's what WDw is for,forget about "the" real world and indulge in some fantasy

 

[WilmaBud]

I'm so sorry about your dear dad. I'm glad you all decided to take this final trip with him, though. Treasure the time, make the most of it - I'm sure it will be forever etched in your memories. God bless you all.

 

[TerriP]

Bittersweet, indeed. Carrie, there is one thing I want you and your family to do on this trip....laugh often & loudly. I lost my dad to cancer when he was 49, over 10 years ago, and to this day I can hear his laugh. It is one of my deepest treasures.

Your family will be in my prayers. May the Lord bless you all and hold you close during this difficult time.

 

[KristinU]

Oh Carrie, I'm in tears here at the office.

Your family and your father will be in my prayers. Cherish this trip, how wonderful that you can all make it together. Enjoy and just take it all in. God Bless!