Bittersweet last trip

[SuzyQue]

May God bless you and your family, and thank you so much for writing this post and reminding us what really is important. ~~

 

[JulesMom]

I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

I am so glad you all are able to take this trip together.

 

[HamHam]

With tears streaming down my face I am so happy that you are able to do Disney with your Dad right now. I lost mine at Christmas time is '94 when I was still in my 20's. His dream was to take my then 4 year old daughter - his little "pussycat" to Disney World and meet "the Mouse". Every time they would see a plane overhead they would guess that it was going to Disney World. He died suddently with no warning of an aortic aneurysm; I felt so cheated for myself and for her. We went to Disney with her for the first time that next year with my Mom and it was bittersweet...if only we had known. You have that chance and should take full advantage of every minute of it - take lots of pictures and video of him with your kids. You are so lucky.

 

[Dream]

Please know that your Dad, your family and you are in my prayers. I am praying for strength for all of you and for all of the magic that Disney can muster.....you vented here...now just open your heart to the magic and to your family . Make this your best trip ever....think about the rest when you get home.

 

[*Fantasia*]

One last trip together at the magical place on earth. Just remember...though they say that "Disney is the most happiest place on earth"....Nothing can beat being up in the Heaven with the Almighty Father.

I understand exactly how you feel. My husband died in Disney at the ASMo room on Dec. 9, 2001 at the age of 32. I never even get the chance to say goodbye...nor I got to say "I love you" for one last time... His death was so sudden. He left me with two beautiful wonderfu children (now 4 and 6). I know this is so unfair. But I had to accept it. I honestly believe the good Lord has a better plan for him.

I am praying for him, for you and your family. I understand how hard it is for you and your family, please remember that he will be in the most happiest glorious place and he will be with the King. He will always be with you...cause he will always be in your heart and the memories will always be there.

(((((((((((((((((((HUGZ))))))))))))))))))

Telly

 

[lulukiddle]

Your Dad and family are in my prayers. You are very fortunate to have such a wonderful family.

 

[mickeymom629]

My thoughts are like those who have responded before me and I am so glad your father is getting the chance to do something enjoyable with his family.

My mother died from cancer in Jan. 1988 at the age of 48, a month after my first child arrived home to us from South Korea. He was her first grandchild (I now have 4 children). We found out about her colon/ovarian/lung/brain cancer 10 months before and she never took a trip because she was afraid to be away from doctor's. She was planning a big trip for all of us to see my brother graduate law school in L.A. and then we would all go to Hawaii. Well, she never got to make the trip because she died months before. The rest of us went because we felt she would have wanted us to after all her planning, and it was . .. . .not what it should have been.

My mother's brain cancer took away her ability to speak clearly and to write, so words were not said at the end that should have been.

Life definitely seems unfair sometimes, but it's wonderful when you have the opportunity to make the most of it! I hope your trip is magical!

(p.s., it looks like we have more in common than just LE)

 

[LvsTnk]

*~*~*~*~*~*{{{{{HUGS}}}}}!!

 

[Buzz2001]

Things like this really put life into perspective. Family should be number one.

Is your dad a SU fan? Hopefully he enjoyed them winning a nat'l championship this past year. He does have a great room and by your post he sounds very happy to be there enjoying everything.

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Not sure if you will read this before or after your trip, but either way I want you to know my prayers are with you and I hope for a miracle. Cherish the time you have together, and I'm glad you took the trip together.

We lost my mom in 1996, at the age of 50, to lung cancer. While it was only two months from the time she was diagnosed to the time she passed, she had known for a good deal longer that she was sick. However, like you, my family only had months to deal with the shock, pain, and anguish. As tragic as the severity of your fathers condition is, it may be better that he hasn't been able to go thru radiation and chemo. We took my mother thru all the radiation, and in the end it just inflicted more pain on a frail body that was going to give out in a short time anyway. The quality of life achieved without the treatment, in some cases, is better than the relatively short, more painful, extended time one might achieve thru treatment. Your trip to Disney is a testament to that. Far better for your father to enjoy some days at Disney, than to be sitting in front of a radiation machine or getting a chemo injection on what could be some of his last, prescious days. I hope you have a wonderful time, and even thru the pain can generate some wonderful memories that will be with you forever. There will be tough days ahead, but rely on each other and the Lord and you will survive them.

I am particularly glad you took this trip together, even though it may be difficult for your father and your family. It is better for him to not sit and dwell on his pain, and if any place can make you forget, if even for a short time, what you are going thru WDW is the place. I do hope nothing tragic happens while you are there. For years I had bittersweet thoughts about Disney related to a trip during the time my mom was sick. My wife and I had a trip planned that year around the fourth of July. After tending to my mother for months and taking her to all the radiation treatments her tumors were shrinking and she seemed to be stable, depite tha fact that she was becoming more frail and required more and more morphine. She encouraged us to take our trip, and assured us she would be ok for the week we were gone. My brother, a nurse, was there to care for her, and she wanted us to be able to get away and enjoy ourselves. While we knew it would be difficult to do that given the circumstances, we did decide to go. That is the one decision in my life that I regret to this day, as we got the call from my brother on the fourth that my mom had died. I always wondered if I could feel the same at WDW again. In time we were able to put that painfull association of Disney and that moment behind us, and I later came to understand that that is where we were supposed to be at that moment and that my mom encouraged us to take the trip for her own reasons. A couple of days before my mom passed she was admitted to the hospital. My brother slept by her bedside the first two nights, but on the last night my mom insisted that my brother go home. She knew it was time and she wanted to let go, and didn't want to have us there to make her hang on any longer, and she left us that night. Anyway, I'm glad you took the trip together and no matter what happens I'm sure it won't be a choice you regret.

No matter what happens, know that you are not alone. Hopefully knowing that, and knowing the experiences of others, can help provide some solace and comfort in this difficult time. Enjoy your time, enjoy your trip, and God Bless.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Carrie, I am so glad you came to the DIS to post your feelings and get this out. I can't tell you how many times just putting things into writing helps. I am going to send you and your family a zillions prayers over the next few days. I'm praying that you have a wonderful and memorable vacation, I"m praying that your dad tolerates his pain and the daily schedule, I'm praying for those precious grandkids and their special time with their grandpa. I'm praying for peace and happiness and that you all feel God's arms around you. I'm telling you as I struggle daily wiht cancer that nothing is more important than family and their support. My very best to you.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[mommagoose]

Carrie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please make the most of the time you ALL have together. Remember only God knows when the end is.
My father was diagnosed twice with 2 different cancers. You have now convinced me to not be so selfish and take my parents with because they may never experience the "Happiest place on Earth"
Enjot your time and remember to close your eyes and feel the magic inside.

 

[Kaycee]

{{{Carrie}}} I'm so sorry you are hurting.

I'm praying that your family will have the most magical time ever at WDW with your precious Dad. This time is a wonderful gift; I'm so glad you have it to spend together.

Kaycee

 

[milmore104]

Carrie,
I am so very sorry to hear about your father. Our prayers are with you. I hope you know you all made the right choice. Taking your Dad to the place he loves the most is a great idea. It will make it better for all of you to remember the great times you will be having!

 

[ozziewags]

Carrie.........your post really touched me. You are in the thoughts and prayers of your Dis Family. Please post upon return and enjoy your time together. You are giving your dad and the rest of your family a most precious gift in the most magical place.

((((hugs))))

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's illness. Sending lots of prayers your way....I hope you have a great time with your family and also that seeing your Dad in the place he loves most is how you'll always remember him.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

So sorry to hear of this. Sending prayers for your family, and as you mentioned it is a bittersweet trip, focus on the sweet part of it. Enjoy the special time your family will have together.

 

[Mercy]

Your post took me back to Dec. '99 when I lost my own dad to lung cancer. We found out in Sept. and he was gone by Dec. Cherish every moment you have left with him, continue to pray for a miracle, and be a support for your mom. I'm so happy you were able to get in a family trip to wdw, that is wonderful, you'll never forget it! I pray for you, your family and that your dad had a peaceful, painless passing.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have tears in my eyes reading your story and all the wonderful stories people are sharing. I have a story to share too.
My dad died 9 years ago of lymphoma. He had been diagnosed early in the fall and initially responded well to treatment (although he suffered a heart attack due to the chemo). Just after Christmas time, we were planning for a Spring trip with them to OKW. Just after New Years, he found out he was out of remission and had only a few months to live. We nver did get that trip with him to WDW, but we have convinced my mom to come with us several times.
Here's some pixie dust for a trip full of magical memories for your whole family.

 

[shellyhoward]

I can not even begin to understand how difficult it must be for you and your family right now. You Dad sounds like an incredible man. I can only imagine what is going through his mind, and yet he is still able to find humor....what a man. To me it is quite obvious that he has raised a wonderful, caring family. Cherish these days together.

Bless you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.