Help! Looked like we were in the clear....what would you do?

[hopetoseedisney]

but now my father is back in the hospital, and he has a blood clot in an artery in his lower leg. The blood thinners aren't working, and after a few more tests, the doctor believes they will have to do surgery on Friday. He will have to be in the hospital for five days afterwards for recovery, but we should know for sure if he will be okay on Saturday. The problem is, we were planning on leaving on Sunday - and our hotel is booked for 16-24 of Sept. I just don't know what to do.....my dad is telling us to go, but I don't know if I'll even have a good time being so far away. Plus, I was worried about Hurricane Isabel, and not knowing if it's going to hit while we are there....I'm thinking that everything is pointing to staying home. The only problem is that we won't be able to reschedule until January or February (due to 2 family surgeries in October - husband and dad). Part of me really wants to make a go of this, and just do as much as we can, with the promise we will come back in February anyways....the other part of me says that the other shoe hasn't dropped yet, and there still may be more problems to come.....my dad has cancer (that's what his second operation will be for - he just finished chemo - they think this blood clot is due to the cancer also). My mother says go, and I know there are plenty of people at our church to help.....ugh! What would you do???

 

[helenm29]

I am so sorry to hear about your father! I hope that everything goes well with both of his surgeries. I think that you have quite a delemma on your hands...it's not an easy choice either way! I think that I would probably stay and go later on after things have maybe settled down because I would worry too much. Do you have trip insurance and have you paid for your airfair? you can always reschedule a trip. GOOD LUCK TO YOU and best wishes to your dad! Helen

 

[Selket]

I think you should go, unless the news on Saturday is such that you must stay home for that week. It sounds like there are people around to help your mom and dad while you're away. Should you need to return from the trip are you driving or flying? Could you get back in a day or two if there was a huge emergency?

I've been in a somewhat similar situation (my mother dying of cancer when I was in my 20's). I took a one week vacation away from taking care of her full time and I had everything set up for her to be taken care of by other family members and medical personnel. I knew I could get back home within 24 hours if I had to. You're going to have some regrets no matter which choice you make...and there is no way to know what the PERFECT thing to do is in advance. Make the best choice you can and I think you'll know if you've gotten things lined up such that you can go and enjoy yourself and not worry too much.

 

[hopetoseedisney]

Thanks for the advice. We ended up cancelling. Seems that my dad's leg was much worse off than they thought. They are amputating within the next three days.
So, we have rescheduled our trip for Feb. And, luckily for us, they waived the cancellation fee (because we were booked under an airline employee discount) and the change fee (saved us $250 all together). Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Selket]

I'm sorry to hear this news of your dad I hope all goes well with the surgery and he gets back to better health. And I hope that by the time your trip comes in February it will be extra wonderful.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Happy to hear you've found an answer you are comfortable with.

So sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he is able to keep his spirits up for all he is going to be facing.