Looking for ideas to help celebrate husband's 1yr cancer free anniv.

[Dizzy over Disney]

Hi,

At the ripe ol' age of 40, my husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer . November 13, he had a Radical Prostatectomy. He is cancer free today and we are doing well . He decided that for his 1 year cancer free anniversary, my son's 7th birthday and Thanksgiving, he wants to go to Disney ! He is really excited about celebrating our son's birthday, but I would love to do something special for him.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could do?

Thanks!

 

[kerry34]

First off Congrats to your husband getting through his treatments and looking forward to the future. I am in a similiar situation. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (37yrs old) in december and we went to disney to celebrate the end of my treatment in april and we are going back in 2010 to celebrate our wedding anniversary and my 2 yr cancer free mark. If you are staying onsite let the hotel know why what you are going to celebrate. It isnt a guarantee that you will get anything, but it is worth telling them.

Maybe you could plan a photoshoot at the Grand Floridian for your family. I am planning on doing this as it will be a nice way for all of us to get pictures done together. Then you can make a nice album commemorating your trip.

Also maybe a nice celebratory dinner at California Grill during the fireworks.

Whatever you end up doing, I know you will have a wonderful time. You have so much to celebrate and where better to celebrate it. Good Luck to you all.

 

[sherreis]

congratulations and I'm glad for all of you that your DH is OK. We're going in October to celebrate my DH being 1 yr cancer free from kidney cancer. Nothing like going to WDW to celebrate something like that.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Congratulations on all your reasons to celebrate!!

We're going to celebrate our 10th anniversary soon and here is what I have planned as surprises for my husband...

1 -- A Disney Stock certificate (one share) with a personalized message on the frame.

2 -- Romantic Room Decorating (champagne, rose petals, etc.) from www.peggyssweetsandmore.com

Now, this might be out with the 7-year-old but you could do room decorating for a general celebration. She also prepares custom-made gift baskets.

3 -- Lunch at the Coral Reef with personalized menus and a diver with a personalized sign.

It is a little harder to come up with things for those "princes" that seem manly enough, but I am sure you will do just fine.

Some other thoughts include...

A carriage ride at Port Orleans Riverside. (done it, enjoyed it!)

Parasailing at The Contemporary Resort. (maybe someday)

A message at The Grand Floridian Resort Spa. (done it, enjoyed it!)

Order something to be delivered from The Disney Florist. (done it for others!)

And for something a little more unique (pricey but I am guessing he is worth it!)...

The Rookie Driving Experience at Richard Petty Driving Experience.

My husband did this at the Disney World track and loved it. So much that he did it again at a track closer to home. He went through their "training" and was able to drive 8 laps around the track in an official NASCAR race car. Went about 126 mph I think. Again, he loved it.

And it was a fun experience for the whole family, getting to see him do it. They even take you for a spin around the track in their van.

You can also do the ride-a-long with an experienced driver. Three very fast laps (like 145 mph)...yes, I had fun!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[teach22180]

Congratulations on all your reasons to celebrate!!


The Rookie Driving Experience at Richard Petty Driving Experience.

My husband did this at the Disney World track and loved it. So much that he did it again at a track closer to home. He went through their "training" and was able to drive 8 laps around the track in an official NASCAR race car. Went about 115 mph I think. Again, he loved it.

And it was a fun experience for the whole family, getting to see him do it. They even take you for a spin around the track in their van.

You can also do the ride-a-long with an experienced driver. Three very fast laps (like 150+ mph)...yes, I had fun!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's what I was going to suggest! Of course, you know your husband and what he likes, but this could be just the special event for him. There are lots of places for a special dinner, too; have you been before? Does he have a favorite? Does he like seafood, steaks, beer? If you can narrow it down, there are people here who can give you a good dinner suggestion.

 

[all4disney98]

Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions (I am bad at that stuff) but I just wanted to say congratulations and let you know how happy I am for you, your husband and your entire family!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[TinkerCarol]

Congratulations to your husband and to you, his, "caretaker". I just celebrated 5 years cancer free at Disney World 2 weeks ago. I got an anniversary button at our resort. You could also ask for a birthday button and have them add "RE" for re-birthday. I did a Coral Reef picture Menu and added a picture of me with my cancer survivor shirt on from relay for life, along with pictures of my family. You could ask for the diver to show a sign from you. Call in advance. I also let the resort we stayed at on property know in advance, and they left a balloon and signed Micky photograph saying Best Wishes. I like the idea of a phot shoot. Someone else on here celebrated by taking a Wishes Cruise. You can pay to have a special cake left in your room. I am not shy of letting people know I am a cancer survivor! For me, I feel blessed and want the whole world to know you can beat cancer. I celebrate life at special times and places like Disney. Strike up a conversation with a Dream-giver. The ones with the Dream Bags hanging on their hip. Let them know what you are celebrating. I recieved 2 Tinker Bell trading pins that they can only give out. I was told it was people like me, a cancer survivor(and others special celebrants), that they look for to hand some of these pins out to. Celebrate life, don't expect, and be thankful when you receive! Congratulations again!!!!!

 

[DisneyDon1]

Congrats We celebrated my 1 year cancer free at WDW also. I had a new level of awe just watching my dd7 enjoy WDW. WE have been there before but after going through colan surgery and 6months of chemo everything felt a little more special. I suggest that you do not over schedule. I was only 41 and I had to take more breaks than usual because I would get worn out. Enjoy your trip you all deserve it.

 

[Harambe]

Congrats I suggest that you do not over schedule. I was only 41 and I had to take more breaks than usual because I would get worn out. Enjoy your trip you all deserve it.

This is what I was going to mention. I went one year after being diagnosed and about 6 months after my chemo, and I was exhausted!

Since I was diagnosed in 2000, it makes it easy for me to keep track of how many years I've been "cancer free". But no matter how long it's been, nothing impacts me more or makes me feel more proud than when someone refers to me as a "cancer survivor". Let DH know how proud of him you are! Maybe have a cake delivered to one of your meals that says "Live Strong".

Congrats to your whole family for getting thru the tough times!

 

[Dan Murphy]

We celebrated my wife's 1st year in remission, at age 50, from breast cancer, with a family trip to WDW back in '99. A highlight of the trip was an Illuminations cruise, complete with a 'celebration' cake and drinks (soft). It was wonderful. A couple days ago, she celebrated another birthday, saying it was great to be alive.

Congratulations and best wishes to you hubby, and you too, along with all the others who have similarly posted here. And lots of great ideas here too.

And welcome to the DIS also.

 

[jack hannah bananah]

Congratulations! I would think that the trip as a whole would be a celebration of life - nothing in this world is better. The other posts have great ideas.
I though it would be fun to celebrate by doing something extra exhilarating like the Petty Driving Experience or swimming with the sharks in the Reef.
But like I said, just being there together is the best thing you can do.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I took my cousin and her 11 year old daughter last year to celebrate her beating breast cancer. We did nothing extra at all. Just our regular trip to Disney. But it was a VERY special trip. We called it our celebration trip. We celebrated LIFE. My cousin did not want anything special, just to live life normally. So, whatever you decide, celebrate life!

 

[Feralpeg]

As a 26 year breast cancer survivor, my congrats to your husband and to all those others out there that are celebrating life!!!!!

 

[jamesmommy]

Congratulations on your hubby's one year anniversary! My husband just celebrated his 2 year anniversary in May (diagnosed at 42, and also had RP).

When I asked him about ideas for you, the "celebrate life" trip was the first thing he said, that was what we did for one and two years Disney is our happy place, and we are blessed to be able to go often.

Hopefully some of the wonderful ideas listed earlier would be a good fit. I know the massage would fit my hubby to a tee.

Congrats again!

Amie

 

[Lil'Simba]

I just wanted to add my congratulations to the list!
Most of my ideas have been addressed already.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned 'swim with the dolphins' yet. I know there are some tours at the living seas that, to me, would be a once in a lifetime kind of thing.
I wish you and your family the very best!

 

[jtopp]

Congrats on your good health and recovery. Most of the responses were very complete and all very thoughtful, with lots of good ideas. Look for something pesonalized for him, such as a tour or special outing that he would enjoy. Other then that, I hope his(and your families) health continues to be good.

 

[DVC Mary]

Congratulations!

You could make matching t-shirts for the family in a bright color that say something such as:


I'm cancer-free. One year Anniversary


Celebrating that _______(insert DH's name) is cancer free & my _______(insert son's name) # b-day.


My Dad/husband/friend is cancer free. Yippee!


One year Cancer Free WDW celebration!


T-shirts such as this get the attention of CMs & probably other cancer survivors. They might even give hope to those struggling to fight cancer or who have loved ones who are fighting it.

Have a great trip, no matter what you do!

 

[TinkerCarol]

I want to say a GREAT BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the survivors out there. Keep on celebrating life!

 

[Mckymousefn]

Really don't have any idea's for you, but i just wanted to send a Congrats out to your husband and your family!

 

[NavyMomX2]

Congrats & may God continue to bless your husband with wonderful days ahead. GREAT ideas already stated here. (I love the t-shirt idea.) BTW, my gift to my DH for his 50th birthday was a Richard Petty Driving Experience in AL. He still talks about it (now 4 years later) as being one of the best experiences of his life. Oh, and he clocked in at 160mph Whatever you do, I'm sure your DH will love it.!!