Mandy Rose,

If you have a chance to go on a cruise, make plans and don't wait. There's always the option of insurance just in case.

Just before my husband was diagnosed I was busy booking a cruise for the end of November. I remember him telling me to wait because he was afraid it might be something serious. I thought he was just being paranoid and booked anyway. He was diagnosed in October, laser surgery in November and thankfully the doctor said we could go and have the neck dissection when we returned.

My husband was determined to go on another cruise in June after completing treatment in April. Didn't have the feeding tube out till end of June but we have been on 3 cruises and a trip to Mexico since all this started less than 2 years ago.

My new motto is "life is too short" and even without cancer there are no guarantees. Make plans and enjoy the time with family.