make a wish for adults? Mom with Stage 4 cancer

[Marsheliz]

I know generally that Make A Wish is for children but do they do anything for adults or anything else of that nature? We found out in January that my mother has Stage 4 cancer and is currently going through treatments... The doctors say that this type of cancer generally doesnt respond well to treatments. We will know in about 2 weeks if its working or not.. Anyways- we went to Disney last February (my DH, son and myself) Mom couldnt get off to go with us and we have since had another baby this past October. We were wanting to go sometime this fall, and were planning it until Mom got sick.. Now I feel so incredibly guilty and selfish for planning a trip when something might happen to her... I want her to be able to go with us so we have the memory of her with our children but dont know if she will make it that long or will even feel like going. She just mentioned to me one day last week about how cool it would be for all of us to go on a Disney Cruise or either go to Disney? I know I looked into the cruise and it is She says her biggest fear is the kids not remembering her. I am so torn and heartbroken about the whole situation but just wondered if anyone knew of anything that might would do something for an adult? Thanks in advance. And if you pray, please say a prayer for our family.

I posted this originally in the Family section, where I normally post and someone suggested I post this in this section as wel....

 

[dclfun]

I don't know of any organizations for adults, but wanted to let you know that as a Grandma who also has stage 4 cancer (colon) that is not curable I would never want my children to feel selfish or guilty for planning a trip without me. I would want my kids to do something fun with their own families to make memories just as I did with them when they were little.

I just spent a long weekend at WDW with all my kids and grandkids and while my chemo is currently keeping the metastases at bay, I was SO exhausted and in pain that if it weren't for wanting to be with them, I'd have spent all the time in the resort room. In my mind I could keep up and enjoy myself but the reality was that the recent chemo treatment I had really affected my body. We left the room around 10 am and were back around 7 pm every evening. I was asleep by 7:30 pm while the kids fixed dinner or ordered out in the villa. I just couldn't go any longer.

I would suggest that your Mom do other things with the kids that are meaningful- get the audio books that she can pre-record from Hallmark, work on a scrapbook or memory book together, and spend time doing things that matter- baking cookies, reading, watching a movie, etc. While a Disney trip sounds like lots of fun, it can really be tough on a person whose health is declining.

I wish you the best, and hope your Mom can make the memories she wants with her grandkids. Mine are very young and I doubt they will remember me either ( two of them are two years old, one is four), I remember the things I did for them though as do my daughters, and I expect them to pass along those happy times.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

There is 1 adult wish granting organization that stipulates that the life expectancy must be 1 year or less to qualify- http://www.dreamfoundation.org/general-dream-application-preview

 

[A Mickeyfan]

hugs to you and your family.. I lost my mom to lung cancer in Oct of 2008. I had taken her to Disney in between rounds of Chemo and surgery's. She was weak, but did it. She also only lived an hour and a half from the park so that made a big difference. She went home and slept in her own bed. I never knew anything about an organization that helped out.. I used to work for Disney and just saved my passes that they gave out twice a year to take her. There was no real expense for me. Again, hugs to you guys... enjoy every minute you can now... I miss my mom every day.. I still sometimes want to pick up the phone and call her.

 

[Marsheliz]

Thank you for the responses. I am sorry that you are going through stAge 4 cancer too... It is such a scary time... The hallmark books are a great idea!!! Thanks for that idea!!!! To the previous poster, I'm sorry you lost your mother and I'm sure you want to pick up that phone, that is something I have thought about.. The not being able to talk to her when I want!!!!

 

[Mama Who]

I'll be praying that in two weeks this post turns out to be unecessary.