Our Last Minute CANCER SUCKS Trip

[vdarrell]

It's nice to hear Carol is home and doing well.
Tell her to take it easy and just enjoy letting all of you spoiling her(which I know you ALL are doing right).

 

[havinfun]

I just took my cancer sucks vacation. I am a cancer survivor of one year of an aggresive form of breast cancer. I have been through chemo, radiation and surgery. Your sister is in my prayers, I am praying her treatments do more than buy her time. I hope her Disney trip made her feel wonderful. Hang in there!

 

[Jillpie]

Fantastic report, I just finished the whole thing in the last hour or so. Loved it, you are so funny. I will pray for Carol and your whole family through this time. Please keep us updated on her condition, ok?

 

[RVGal]

Carol is doing okay. Her red blood cell count is still low, but we think they will be taking her off the IV meds next week. They hope to start chemo in 4 weeks, if her blood count comes up. I'll keep you posted.

I'm not looking at a calendar, so I don't remember what date they left Disney. August, 6th... I think...

They had breakfast at the McDonalds (if you have driven/taken a bus to the All Star or Coronado Springs, you know the one I'm talking about).

And then went to Downtown Disney to shop before driving Melanie home.

After dropping Melanie off in south Georgia, Carol & Deb headed east to Tybee Island. Carol wanted to spend a few hours on the beach before coming home.

Carol in the surf:

She said there was a storm overnight and the next day the beach was full of starfish.

They had an uneventful drive home and arrived tired, but happy.

I'm glad we had this time. I really means a lot that the family was able, and willing, to put our individual lives on hold and be together for a few days. It was mostly a fun time. There were a few snags and it was difficult for me to corral the boys while the rest of the herd did stuff that they can't, but nothing worth complaining about. Much.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this trek with me. I have read and appreciate all the responses along the way. Things are incredibly hectic as the school year started and we gear up for our next trip, but I did want to say that all the comments, thoughts, prayer, shared stories, and general good vibes have really meant a lot more than I can say.

I'm sure this will get moved to the completed trip reports section now, since... well... it's a completed trip report. However, if I'm still able to post to it (this is my first report since they created the separate board for completed TRs), I'll continue to update with Carol's condition.

 

[bubba's mom]

you know i loved it!


ps...starfishes are kewl

 

[never_enough_pooh]

Great Trip Report!

I am wishing nothing but the best for Carol. It looks like the entire family had such a great time and I am sure Carol will cherish all the memories of having her entire family together in the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[Bloodhound]

thanks for the pictures...I like the starfish

 

[sherreis]

The starfish were a great way to end this vacation for Carol for she is truly a star. Wishing your family all the best.

 

[Philadisney]

I just found your TR and spent the last couple days reading through. My thoughts are with you, Carol and your family - I hope she is feeling better and better. My aunt had lung cancer and one of the first things she wanted to do after being diagnosed was go to Disney World. We can still look back on pictures of her giving Pluto a huge hug and grinning from ear to ear, and are reminded how magical Disney World really is :

 

[aldisneygrl]

Sending healing Pixie dust for Carol. You are such a great woman to have planned the trip for such a large group, and on such short notice. I know that Carol really appreciates you for doing that. She looks so happy in all of the pictures. Thanks for taking us along.

I'll keep Carol and your family on my prayer list.

Those starfish looked like they were holding hands.

 

[RVGal]

I thought the two starfish in that last pic looked like they were holding hands too!

Carol's next appointment(s) are on Thursday. They will be doing scans (CT, MRI, etc) this time around, so keep your fingers crossed that they don't find anything that shouldn't be there.

 

[just4today]

Nice job on the trip report and good to hear Carol is holding up.

 

[momminnie]

Enjoyed your report and Carol is in my prayers. Keep us updated on her progress please.

 

[RVGal]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news yet again, but here goes.

Carol had scans done earlier this week. She met with the doctors yesterday about the results. The cancer is already growing again. Aggressively. It has overtaken her right lung and it is inoperable. There really isn’t anything more they can do for her at this point except try to minimize her pain. Her time with us has been shortened dramatically. They expect her to decline rapidly now. She probably has 2 months left.

She tires quickly now and there is some pain all the time. I hope that they can at least find a way to make her comfortable.

 

[KadysMom]

I am so sorry to hear this God Bless you and your family during these next few months.

 

[Mkrop]

Aw Tricia I am so sorry to hear this. Hugs and prayers for all of you!

 

[LUVMYTINK]

Tricia, I'm so sorry
You, Carol and your family are in my prayers

 

[sherreis]

Tricia,

I'm so sorry. I hope that they are able to assist Carol with everything she needs and deserves. Have they contacted hospice for her? They do great work - with the person and their family.

 

[CoP Luv]

I began reading your trip report awhile ago and just found it again. I am so sorry to hear about Carol. From your report it sounded like you all had such fun on your trip! I pray that those memories will get you through this tough time.

 

[FreFam5]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Carol and your entire family. ((((((HUGS)))))) to all of you.