Sad News

[dgaston]

Several of you have been very supportive and following my husband's journey with cancer than began on our March 2014 DVC Spring Break trip. He was successful in clearing his esophagus of cancer cells but little did we know that a few sneaky cells had migrated to his brain. These did not show up on the usual scans because the brain uses sugar as its fuel and PET scans use radioactive sugar to highlight trouble areas.

Don was having some word-finding problems on February 28 so I brought him to UMass, and the docs found a 3 cm mass in the occipital lobe of his brain. It was a very rocky month in the hospital, brain surgery on and off the table, Don had a grand mal seizure that impaired his speech, he improved from that, became very confused and agitated at times, needed to be restrained, and the quality of his life declined. He did have surgery, but due to bleeding, only a small section of the tumor was removed. Another seizure followed with further losses in quality of life. He moved to beautiful Rose Monahan Hospice in Worcester and passed away on March 30.

We had been able to visit Saratoga Springs in January and February 2015 for what we thought was a celebration trip and my birthday. Don rode Expedition Everest, Mission Space Orange, and we watched the Patriots win the Superbowl! Not too bad for his last Disney visit. We also ate at California Grill, spoiling our nephew Ben from RPI. I will be returning to Boardwalk and ? the Polynesian DVC with my youngest son in December after a quick trip to Harry Potter. That will be a different experience I'm sure.

 

[Boardwalk III]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

My heart goes out to you and your family. If only someone could find a cure for this horrible disease.

 

[DisneyMim]

I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[LisaS]

Oh Debbie I'm so sorry for your loss. It's such a shock given that Don had been doing so well. My DH and I offer you our condolences.

 

[MadamG2U]

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[stacyz]

My sympathy to your and your family.

 

[jekjones1558]

Debbie, my heart breaks for you. I am glad that your last trip was a good one. We are all hanging by a thread, as you well know. Thanks for posting so we, your DVC family, can give you our condolences.

 

[AnnaS]

I am sorry for your loss

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Hugs from a stranger. So sorry for your loss.

 

[dizfan]

We are sorry for your loss.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. And if I'm correct about where you live, I was just talking about you on Sunday as I drove through Woodstock on the way to Sweet Evalina's. Please accept my condolences.

 

[Meriweather]

Oh my. What an ordeal. So sorry for your loss. Glad he did get some fun in before the end....and at WDW!
to you and your family

 

[that's nice]

I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your husband.

I'm glad you got to make some great memories just a few short months ago.

Tim

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have such happy recent memories and that he got to have one last hurrah.

 

[Judique]

What a great winter trip you both had!

So sorry for your loss.

And so nice that yourself and your son will be coming back soon. It won't be the same but it will be the place you made memories together.

 

[CarolMN]

So sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have the memories of a last trip together. Thanks for letting us know.

God Bless.

 

[Sur]

You will surely feel his presence in future Disney endeavors. May your grief be short and fond memories eternal.

 

[rlovew]

Sorry to hear of your loss but it is wonderful that your last trip together was filled with fun and fabulous experiences, at least you can treasyre that. Prayers for you next trip and the new memories you will make as well as those that will come back to you.

 

[FRANKTSJR]

Very sorry.