If this was your last trip ever what would you HAVE to do?

[tinan]

Thank you.......I'm still having a very difficult time since it has only been about a month and a half now. Depending on if your FIL is on treatments, what his blood counts are and what his immune system is at the time, I think you will find it much more enjoyable at the slower pace. Even though DD was a couple months off of treatment back in Feb. she still tired very easily.

In May she had her first recurrence (one year almost to the date after initial diagnosis), surgery to remove tumors, followed by a different type of chemo. July was her second recurrence and the beginning of Aug. she had surgery to remove more tumors, which turned out all could not be removed. They thought after recovery from surgery, they could give chemo and/or radiation to shrink and maintain the remaining tumors. Before she had a chance to recover, they grew out of control and not even 2 weeks post-op is when she passed.

This December, dh is taking us back to Disney for two weeks, to help me get through Dec. I hope it works!

 

[SCohen]

Thank you.......I'm still having a very difficult time since it has only been about a month and a half now. Depending on if your FIL is on treatments, what his blood counts are and what his immune system is at the time, I think you will find it much more enjoyable at the slower pace. Even though DD was a couple months off of treatment back in Feb. she still tired very easily.

In May she had her first recurrence (one year almost to the date after initial diagnosis), surgery to remove tumors, followed by a different type of chemo. July was her second recurrence and the beginning of Aug. she had surgery to remove more tumors, which turned out all could not be removed. They thought after recovery from surgery, they could give chemo and/or radiation to shrink and maintain the remaining tumors. Before she had a chance to recover, they grew out of control and not even 2 weeks post-op is when she passed.

This December, dh is taking us back to Disney for two weeks, to help me get through Dec. I hope it works!

I am praying for your family's healing. God bless you all.
I have a question about planning... did you do anything special for her immune system? I am thinking about calling AKL and asking them to go the extra measure and really sanitize his room. I'm sure the rooms are clean, but I'd feel so much better if I knew they were totally disinfected. (clean comforter, handles wiped down, etc).
We are also thinking about a mask and of coarse plenty of hand washing.
We are going in between chemo treatments and I don't want him to get anything that could interfere with future treatments.
Again, thank you so much for your kindness. I really appreciate you opening up and helping me out with your wonderful advise. God bless your family... I will keep you all in my prayers.

 

[tinan]

Thank you......again. I am praying that all goes well for your FIL and family as well as having a wonderful trip!

When we went my daughter was off of treatments, but had contemplated going while she was on. Our trip was originally scheduled last Nov., but we pushed it to Feb. since treatments were done in Dec.
Some of the things we were going to do is exactly what you mentioned with the extra hand washing, mask, extra cleaning (I would tell them this is for someone immunocompromised......not sure if it helps or not but worth mentioning), etc. You could ask his Dr. to see if he has any other ideas, but those are the main ones.

The biggest factor you are going to have to worry about with going while he is on treatment is watching his counts and worry about him becoming neutropenic and developing fevers. Is he currently taking injections such as Neupogen or Neulasta (to help with his white blood count)? Do you guys have an idea of how his body reacts from therapy to therapy? I could almost tell what my daughters counts were going to be before we would have the lab results back on a week to week basis. Depending on the time frame of the trip compared to the treatment schedule, you could talk to the Dr. about moving it slightly in the hopes of keeping his counts up and him being able to enjoy his time. As long as you are not adjusting the schedule by weeks, they normally work with people.

Other than the precautions taken, make sure that you have ALL information on your FIL before leaving in the event of an emergency. Some of the information needed is, insurance cards, Dr's names, hospital/dr. phone numbers, list of all medications he is on including his chemotherapy regimen and doses if possible, etc. You could list them all on an index card or two and have them in someone's wallet. Also make sure you guys pack a thermo. and take his temp often. Being on therapy you can't just tell by the touch if they're running a fever or not. Which I hated because as a mother, you can normally tell when your child has a fever just to the touch and tuned in so much that you could guess easily within a degree. The one time my daughter was neutropenic, I wouldn't have known without the thermo. I hope you realize I'm not saying these things to scare you or even make you feel like you shouldn't take the trip. You should take the trip and have a great time..........just be prepared for the unexpected. Last but not least......make sure he is drinking plenty of water and eating some healthy foods!

 

[karengr]

Give your FIL the chance to sit on a bench near the castle and he can watch the faces of all the people that pass him looking at the Castle and how happy people are no matter what is going on in their lives.

Enjoy your time together.

karen

 

[ntsammy5]

Just have a good time. God bless you.

 

[TravelinGal]

A photopass is a card that is handed to you when you get your first photo taken at the park (no matter which one). Each photographer you pass will ask you for your photopass card - they will scan it and all your photos taken at the parks by the pros will be stored in one location. Your family can have more than one card - the account numbers can be combined. At the end of your trip, you have the choice of buying a CD with every photo on it to take home. You can also view the photos on line and order them individually if you prefer. I think the CD is $100 and you get full rights to the pictures on them. (you print them at home on photo paper) Even if you don't want to buy the $100 disk, you still have a month to view the photos on line once home and decide what ones you want. (but you can only get the disk while at the parks)

Cancer is an ugly thing and I'm sorry your family is having to deal with this. My prayers are with you and your family.

RE: the birthday suggestion though - don't they ask for proof of your birthday (ID with birthdate on it) before giving out the birthday button??