OT: Am I thinking rational? (long)

[cttjones]

So I will make this as quick as possible... I am recently diagnosed with cancer. While I am expected to make a full recovery, you never know and I am scared. I am the primary wage earner in my family since my husband is in his last year of college, and I am now on short term disability which means my salary was cut in half. Will we make it financially? Sure. We are ok, but will come out the other side of this with quite a lot of medical bills. We are definately penny pinching until I can go back to work.

Anyway, maybe I am just dealing with my mortality now, but I suddenly want to go to DW in Nov during Thanksgiving. We have a big trip planned with very close friends next May, but I want to go NOW. Just me, DH, and DD. I am almost adament that we need to do this trip. We can not afford it, but I don't care. As far as I am concerned the trip can go on a credit card just like the medical bills. I just want to throw caution to the wind, hop in the car, and go to DisneyWorld. I think I just want to forget for a while what my family and I are going through. DH says absolutely not, but this is all I can think about right now. Please someone tell me what to think. Am I being unreasonable? If you were in this situation what would you do?

 

[minnie1928]

So I will make this as quick as possible... I am recently diagnosed with cancer. While I am expected to make a full recovery, you never know and I am scared. I am the primary wage earner in my family since my husband is in his last year of college, and I am now on short term disability which means my salary was cut in half. Will we make it financially? Sure. We are ok, but will come out the other side of this with quite a lot of medical bills. We are definately penny pinching until I can go back to work.

Anyway, maybe I am just dealing with my mortality now, but I suddenly want to go to DW in Nov during Thanksgiving. We have a big trip planned with very close friends next May, but I want to go NOW. Just me, DH, and DD. I am almost adament that we need to do this trip. We can not afford it, but I don't care. As far as I am concerned the trip can go on a credit card just like the medical bills. I just want to throw caution to the wind, hop in the car, and go to DisneyWorld. I think I just want to forget for a while what my family and I are going through. DH says absolutely not, but this is all I can think about right now. Please someone tell me what to think. Am I being unreasonable? If you were in this situation what would you do?

I would go. It'll do wonders for your spirits and that will help you tackle what you will be facing in the coming months! I wish you and your family the best during this difficult time

 

[We4mickey]

We were supposed to have a big family trip planned for next week. Dsis-inlaw had leukemia. Got through it and a year later it is back. She is now going through a bone marrow transplant. Needless to say they are not going to Disney. They have rebooked there trip for next October and it is helping her to have it to look forward to. She didn't really get her strength back in between all this. I say if you feel up to it absolutely go. You need to keep your spirits up any way you can.

Prayers and pixie dust to you and your family.

 

[lttlmc3]

I would do it. There aren't many times you could justify paying for a DW trip on a credit card, but this definately is one. You need it, your husband needs it, but most of all, your daughter needs it. Maybe you could use this trip to discuss her fears about your cancer in a relaxed and fun environment. Put it on your credit cards, don't worry about debt. You have your whole life to pay back that debt, and I'm sure that will be a long time!

 

[LanaJae]

So I will make this as quick as possible... I am recently diagnosed with cancer. While I am expected to make a full recovery, you never know and I am scared. I am the primary wage earner in my family since my husband is in his last year of college, and I am now on short term disability which means my salary was cut in half. Will we make it financially? Sure. We are ok, but will come out the other side of this with quite a lot of medical bills. We are definately penny pinching until I can go back to work.

Anyway, maybe I am just dealing with my mortality now, but I suddenly want to go to DW in Nov during Thanksgiving. We have a big trip planned with very close friends next May, but I want to go NOW. Just me, DH, and DD. I am almost adament that we need to do this trip. We can not afford it, but I don't care. As far as I am concerned the trip can go on a credit card just like the medical bills. I just want to throw caution to the wind, hop in the car, and go to DisneyWorld. I think I just want to forget for a while what my family and I are going through. DH says absolutely not, but this is all I can think about right now. Please someone tell me what to think. Am I being unreasonable? If you were in this situation what would you do?

GO! You are not being unreasonable and it will make you happy and that is good for your health. Without going into too much detail, I have been very ill for 7 years - in April, I got some more terrible news, but was also given a last ditch medication which actually made me feel better than I had for all that time. I told my mom that I wanted to take my youngest child to Disney (age 6) so she would have that to remember, and I thought I could make the trip. She indulged my idea and went along and I walked into MK and started crying. We stayed just a few days. The day after I got home, I booked free DDP for the end of August and went back with my husband and the 2 youngest kids for 5 days. Best thing I ever did - the money was well spent. Second best thing I've done this year was started reading this board - can't find nicer people anywhere else.

I have literally been nearly house-bound for 7 years and thanks to taking a chance on a medication and reading the boards here, I have actually started working again, albeit one day a week and for only 5 hours at a time, but I credit Disney and this board with much of it. I had a great job so we lost much of our income, but you do make it - hang in there - try not to think about your mortality unless it's in a positive way and this idea definately fits.

 

[crisi]

You may risk your short term disability payments and your job - and may risk jail. One of my husbands friends was a private investigator who specialized in finding people on disability who were doing things they shouldn't do on disability. I don't know what the terms of your disability are, but if the insurance company or your employer says "if she's well enough to go to WDW, she is well enough to work" you may be in trouble.

I wish you all the best and I don't mean to sound harsh, but you need to think this through for the long term. You WILL get through this and there will be a Disney trip on the other end.

 

[MouseUSA]

I am a 15 year cancer survivor of Ecto Mesin Chimoma. You can do this, do not give up hope, surround yourself with positive energy and keep your spirits high. NEVER, EVER GIVE UP.

My advice is to go on your trip now before the Chemo or whatever they're using to treat you with is kicking in good and hard. Trust me, going now will be great as compared to when you're sicker (due to counter-acting drugs).

I will pray for you as much as I can. In my opinion, take the trip.

Possess the following in your battle:
Courage
Wisdom
Honesty
And Strength

Christopher Millard Wrote a story entitled "The Four Diamonds" Each Diamond was what he felt a cancer patient needs to win their battle. Read the story if you can get a copy, and learn about The Four Diamonds Fund.


Have a BLAST at Disney!

 

[disneymarie]

So I will make this as quick as possible... I am recently diagnosed with cancer. While I am expected to make a full recovery, you never know and I am scared. I am the primary wage earner in my family since my husband is in his last year of college, and I am now on short term disability which means my salary was cut in half. Will we make it financially? Sure. We are ok, but will come out the other side of this with quite a lot of medical bills. We are definately penny pinching until I can go back to work.

Anyway, maybe I am just dealing with my mortality now, but I suddenly want to go to DW in Nov during Thanksgiving. We have a big trip planned with very close friends next May, but I want to go NOW. Just me, DH, and DD. I am almost adament that we need to do this trip. We can not afford it, but I don't care. As far as I am concerned the trip can go on a credit card just like the medical bills. I just want to throw caution to the wind, hop in the car, and go to DisneyWorld. I think I just want to forget for a while what my family and I are going through. DH says absolutely not, but this is all I can think about right now. Please someone tell me what to think. Am I being unreasonable? If you were in this situation what would you do?

Honey, Even if you as you are expected to make a good recovery, you have a battle to face. I would tell your husband a story. Last year my older daughter settled her w/c she was 29, injured at 16, many years battleing her injuries and the legal parts of workers comp. After she settled for a small monetary amount she wanted to travel. We planned on Washington D.C. and disney world.

Last October we spent 6 days in Disney.
My daughter passed away unexpectedly in January. I have a lot of grief, self blame, and anger over my daughters passing, but I have no regrets about the trip to Disney. She had medication interactions and I felt as Mom I could have known or helped.....

Thank Goodness I threw caution to the wind and she had those memories.
So even if you have to put it on a credit card, it is you taking up armour to battle and that is what it is taking...Please go!

It may seem like the craziest thing to do...but do it!

I am sending my prayers and keep us posted if you do not mind that you are surrounded by hugs and support.
dianne

 

[cttjones]

Thanks so much for the positive comments. I really feel like this trip would be a good thing for my family. My daughter is really convinced that I am going to die. Maybe a little pixie dust could help us right now.

As far as doing things on disability I shouldn't, I had no idea I could face losing my job over. I don't even know what I am not supposed to do! Really personal, but I was put out on disability for mental health reasons. I was physically able to face my job, so far, but I couldn't stop crying and having panic attacks. Literally, I work in an office with 100 people everyday, and I couldn't get through ten minutes without someone coming by my desk asking how I was doing. I just couldn't handle it anymore. I am told this normal. Anyway, this whole criminal aspect of things really puts a new spin on if I should go or not. I guess I will have to check into the disability terms.

I am glad to see that I haven't lost my mind with just wanting to get in the car and head to DW. There may be hope for me still.

 

[crisi]

If its mental health, you are probably fine - the idea of disability is to give you time and place to get better. But call your HR depeartment and make sure. Sounds like you are functionally out for stress related issues.

(My friend mostly caught construction workers with bad backs and knees playing softball - but in cases where they had taken a lot of money, the employer or insurance company often pressed charges for fraud and in very aggreggious cases jail time was served).

 

[ceecee]

Well, I am the kind of person that will never charge what I don't have the $ to pay for.
But in this case, I say go! Especially for your DD's sake, it will be a great family memory. Cancel the one you have planned with friends and go now. I have never had as much fun sharing our vacation as I have when it's just my family anyway.
Promise your husband a budget trip...since you can drive down, that's a savings in airfare and I think the values have a $59.00 a night deal, check on that and see how much it would cost.

 

[buckler]

Could you go now and cancel your trip in May? If the people you planned to go with in May are really your friends they will understand you backing out on them. This way you won't be spending more money than your originally planned.

 

[kors]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this...I will be praying for you. We dealt with this ourselves when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. We postponed our trip, but went, and had a blast. Hang in there, and have fun....keep your spirits up, and enjoy.

 

[rie'smom]

I want too say God Bless all of you with health issues.
For what it's worth, I was seeing a psych for depression and she encourages all of her patients to take trips if they are able. She believes that a change of scenery is sometimes the best medicine. It helped me. Getting away might help you gear up for the treatment ahead. My good friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer and she has to nap every day-she has 0 energy. There's no way since starting chemo that she could do a WDW trip.
If your DH doesn't want to go, go w/out him. If you need another adult,ask a friend. My DD and I have been on several WDW trips w/out my DH and while we miss him, we still have tons of fun.
God Bless!

 

[WETWHISTLE]

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through.

I say go! This is something you want to do, and I hope your husband understands that. It will give you so many wonderful memories that will help you stay strong for the treatment you have to go through.

Best wishes! Hugs to you and your family.

 

[finz2left]

This situation must be terrifying for you and your family! I can't imagine how my children would react.

That said, 1) of course go to Disney, but 2) also get yourself and your family some counseling to deal with the stress of this disease, and 3) as nutty as it sounds, go back to work. The quicker you establish a real routine for you and your DD, the easier it will be for her to understand that life WILL go on and you will be here! As hard as it may seem, get the boss to tell everyone to leave you alone about it!!! And, let you do your job , and really, it will help, not just financially, but mentally. And, as treatment kicks in, you may need your disability time then, too. As long as you can earn, you might consider trying.

Much love and many thoughts and prayers *** and Pixie Dust*** of course!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Go and don't give it a second thought.

 

[cruizie]

I saw GO! You are wanting to live in the moment and have these memories w/ your family. Have a great time!

My prayers are w/ you to beat this disease!

 

[eeyorefan74]

I think my answer would depend on what your treatment plan is going to look like. If you will soon start treatment that will be debilitating, I'd say go now and have a great time before it starts. Disney definitely has a way of getting your mind off things. If not, I might wait and do a trip after treatment is over, as a reward to look forward to. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, we took a short beach trip just to get away from it all before treatment started. Then I planned my DD's first Disney trip for after my treatment was over. It was great having something to plan and look forward to. That was also when I discovered the Disboards and I've been hooked ever since!

 

[ksumn1]

I say go and have a good time. I would sit DH down and tell him how important this trip is to you. You're a fighter, and plan to win this battle but you'd like to have great memories to draw strength from in the upcoming months. You may not feel like going in May, too tired or just run down, so if you're up to it...go now. Have a great time. We're all pulling for you.

PS. Your DD is beautiful!!!