Marlene,

Considering what you're going through right now, I thank you for your post and totally admire you.

It's good advice which I intend to act upon--I know from how swiftly things moved and became debillitating from March to June that it's important.

I took a deep breath yesterday and asked the Doc the question which has been bugging me since my diagnosis---Will I be able to go and see my daughter in California at the end of August?

He smiled and said he sees no reason why not---as long as I can afford, and get, some insurance of course. medically, he thinks I should be fine and can always have pain meds 'upped' if necessary before I go.

So my plan is to book the flight, get the insurance, buy some new clothes and hoefully, ring my daughter from a nearby motel and ask her if she wants to join me for a drink!!

Do you think she'd like that??

Any of you out there with a close relative a long way off---how would you react to that kind of surprise? Just a thought!

Practical stuff like Wills and Finances and letters to kids and sisters and Partner and friends all done months ago, when I didn't even think I was gonna live long enough to get final diagnosis.

When the 'post-chemo' weakness subsides, also intend to go to the beach and watch the fishermen and the tide coming in for a day-trip and to get some precious photos 'scrapbooked' for people!

Thanks again for 'firming up' my plans Marlene, am thinking of you every day and have sent a message 'up there' to Mum and Dad to watch out for you all,

Hugs and warm thoughts,
Brenda x

Oops---meant October, not August! Should proof-read first!
Partner assures me it's NOT mets to the brain yet, I've always been scatty and a walking disaster area!
Bren

Brenda

My mom lives in ND and I in NY ..if she just called me outta the Blue and was here !! I would bbeeee sooo soooo Happy . so I think it is a great idea..UNLESS she works and you will want her to take time off to spend with you ..you may wanna give her advanced notice . My prayers and thoughts are with you ......PLease know that

shar

Brenda:
Can you wait that long? This process is unpredictable. Alan and I went to visit family that was about 1400 klms away. We drove. Alan was great going up, even drove, a week later was almost unmanagable coming home. He didn't even know where home was. don't wait till October if you can possibly do it now.
I would tell your daughter your coming. That trans Atlantic flight is tiring and you need to be met at the airport.
Have fun Hugs Marlene

Brenda
The only worry I have is can you get insurance? NOT trying to be a wet blanket, just practical. Our travel insurance industry hates you to go to the USA even if you are well.
I will do some searches for you. IF NOT could your daughter come to you?
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Hi
Try www.cancerhelp.org.uk. Run by Cancer research. They list companies that will provide varius levels of cover for people with cancer.Hope this helps.
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Making travel plans is on the agenda for this week!
Thanks for the link Helen.
The importance of the visit is that Sue has been in the US for 7 years, married to an American for 3 of those, has a California Driving Licence, job, Social Security etc., but as she came home when my dad died, changed her passport to married name to return, she's now accused of 'deliberate intent to deceive' or something and her Green Card application, which had been pending for years, was declined!
She's still in the middle of the Appeal Process, which could take forever---and an awful lot of money:(

I usually go to see her in August, but this year, went at Easter because I already had very strong suspicions about my symptons, but was still waiting for diagnosis, so insurance wasn't a problem.

But obviously, now, I want to go if I can and October seems to be the 'best time'--I usually travel confidently and happily alone, but at Easter had a hideous experience trapped around Philadelphia airport for 4 whole nights because of overbookings (Don't reccomend US Airways!).
My partner has last 2 weeks off at end of October, so can come with me, also, my blood counts will hopefully be recovering somewhat so hope not to be as much at risk of infection, or so tired from the current low haemoglobin count.

Thanks for the insurance link Helen--something else on the list for the week! Doctor says I should get it but will probably have to pay through the nose--which I'm pepared to do!