Tomorrow’s entry in my appointment book mentions that shore excursions will be available for our Singapore-Sydney trip in October.

Instead of excitedly signing up for our favorites, we are going to be making a choice for my husband of continuing chemo or stopping for the two or three months left of his life.
In the last three months our world has turned upside down with his diagnosis of cancer.

I tell you this because, like us, I’m sure you all love to travel. After I retired early eight years ago, we’ve been able to take a terrific trip every year. Often we would debate as to whether to travel or do some remodeling on the house which we also wanted to do. The budget wouldn't usually allow both. My philosophy, as my husband is 13 years older than I am, was that we should travel while we could. Once we got too old, then we could catch up on other things. And now the final decision has been made for us. We’ve had thirty-nine great years together and now it will soon end.

We had two Radisson cruises and were looking forward to our third. I urge you to keep traveling...make the memories...go for it! Don’t wait until next year to take the trip you’ve been dreaming of, it might be too late!

Maggie

Maggie, I'm so sorry! Please let us be part of your support network as you go through this trauma.

Oh Maggie,
I type with a great big lump in my throat.
I am so sorry. We will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers.

Betty

Maggie,
My prayers are with you and your husband in this difficult time.

Maggie, I am so sorry to hear this news. My prayers are with you. In the midst of all this sadness, you are taking the lesson you have learned and sharing it with us. Thank you.

Maggie, I'm so sorry. Our prayers are with you both. Thank you for sharing and please know that we are here for you.

Maggie, I just read your post to my dear husband. He & I are very touched by your message. We are so sad to hear of your husband's illness. Please know that we are thinking of you & keeping your family in our prayers-just reach out & we're all here. - michele

Maggie, my prayers are with you during what must be the most difficult time of your life. My heart goes out to you.

Maggie, I am so sorry to hear your news. Thank you for sharing your special perspective on things. It's great life advice for anyone.

Maggie: I was so sad to read your post - you have given great advice - none of us know what is around the corner - live today to the fullest - you are in my thoughts -

Maggie,
I'm sorry to hear this sad news. You have reminded me how fragile we all are and my thoughts are with you :hug:

Maggie.....so sorry to hear of your heartwrenching news,we must all remember to live one day at a time, none of us knows what tomorrow may hold, my thought and prayers go out to both you and your husband.

Maggie,

I'm so sorry about what you're going through and appreciate your advice. I intend to take it. I have you and your husband in my prayers.

Maggie,

I am so sorry. You and your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish there were something we could say or do to help. Please know that all of us are here to support you any way we can during this incredibly difficult time.

Kathy

Maggie,


I am so sorry. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your life advice. Our prayers are with you and your husband.

Mary Ellen

Dear Maggie:

How thoughtful and kind of you to write such a personal and thought provoking note at a time of personal turmoil for you and your family.

May you have peace that can come only from Above.

Ray
"Dreams are wishes your heart makes."
(American Proverb)

I register the same sentiments as everyone else here. Make the most of your time together and god bless.

Maggie, my heart is breaking for you right now. Please let us be there for you in such a difficult time. You've given us such excellent advice that we must never forget.
Our prayers are with you!

Maggie,

I am truly sorry to hear such sad news. Know that all of us in this, your extended 'family', care deeply and have you both in our thoughts and prayers.

Anthony

Maggie,
My heart is breaking for you and your family. I hope you will find some comfort knowing that many, many people who don't "know" you are keeping you and your husband in our thoughts and prayers.
Jacki

Maggie - I too type this with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes! Having recently been thru a kidney cancer surgery, I can only tell you how much the people on this board are/will/and can be there for you - as many have said above - thank you for sharing this very personal situation in your life and know that there are many many people keeping you in prayer and thought and wishing you strength, peace and love as you go thru this. All I can offer right now is a big hug, :hug: :hug: and my thoughts and prayers.

Maggie, like everyone else, my heart breaks for you and your dear husband. Thank you for sharing your feelings and advice with us at a very difficult time in your life.

Your love of travel and the wonderful moments you have shared together are a testament to doing the things we love, and doing them now.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

God gave us memories so that we may have roses in December.
-- Author: James M. Barrie

Maggie, as I type this, I have such sadness for you and have tears and a lump in my throat also. I can't even begin to understand what you are going through. Please know that you and your husband and your family are in my prayers. I wish you strength and courage to get through this awful time. If I can be of any comfort or support/help please just ask.

MrsMoose

Maggie: JoAnn talked about her cancer surgery and there are many others (me) on the board that have dealt with cancer themselves or with spouse - I resented having to talk to close friends...why???? I have not a clue - but wish I had had LCT 5 yrs ago when I was going through the "mess" -

Maggie,

Your post moved me to tears.

Please know that lots of caring thoughts and prayers are with your husband and you, as well as your entire family.

It's important for you to make the most of the time you have together, as you know, as well as savor the life you have built together. Bless you both. May positive and caring thoughts sustain you through such a difficult time.

I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Dear Maggie
I am so sorry to hear this news and you all are definitely in my prayers. You have all your good memories of your travels together and since you can't plan your next excursions, I hope you all can talk those all ready taken. I try to live by your philosphy of travel while you can. You know you have an extended family with everyone on this board and we care.
All my best.

Maggie,

This is such sad news. I am gladdened to know though that you will always have such wonderful memories. Best wishes to both of you.

Debbie

I can only echo all the above sentiments; know that we are all thinking of you both!

Dear Maggie: We are keeping each of you in our prayers for strength and compassion. The decisions you face are monumental in the next few days. It is, I imagine, most difficult for each of you in different ways. I hope he is comfortable and is able to have any pain controlled through medication. I hope you have friends and family nearby who can help in any small way. We are here for you.

Peace, Anne & Gary

Oh Maggie, my heart goes out to you and your husband. Your family will be in my prayers tonight.

Maggie, I'm so sorry about this all. That's a very difficult decision re the chemo. My thoughts are with you and your husband.

Maggie - Thank you for sharing your pain and your wisdom with us here. Yes, I echo what those before have expressed to you.

Most of us have probably experienced a bittersweet loss and we can relate or share some compassion for how things are today. I watched my mother suffer with end stage lung cancer and then make the decision to not have the Chemo when we were given the three month timeline. We are so powerless. But you have time to say those things that are in your heart and say goodbye - this is a gift, although difficult.

We are here with wide shoulders to cry on and a big box of kleenex.

Maggie - I also echo all the sentiments written above. Please know that you and your husband will be in our thoughts at this time - always know that you can talk to your LCT buddies at any time about what's going on if you feel up to it!

Masaki

I am so very sorry. I too am typing with tears in my eyes.My father told us many years ago to travel a lot before we found that we could no longer do so. He and my mom put it off too long.We listened and are so glad that we did.

Cancer is such a horrible disease.I hope that some day soon they come up with a cure.It makes a person so helpless.

We will keep you both in our prayers.

What can I say that hasn't been said by our friends in the previous posts? Nothing. But, know that we are your friends, and can help you try and deal with what you are going through right now.

Maggie, My thoughts and wishes are as all of the above. My husband just turned 90 two days ago and we are taking your advice and keeping going as long as we can. Such sorrow as yours I cannot imagine - it breaks my heart.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Maggie.

Please know that our prayers are with you during this painful time. Bless you both as you go through this ordeal together.

Trish

Maggie - I am so sorry to hear this news. I certainly echo the sentiments of this fine group of people. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt perspective with us.

Remember, as Chatkat said, this LCT Group has VERY BROAD SHOULDERS.

Our collective hearts are breaking for you...and our collective arms are wrapped around you! We send you our prayers and our love.