Devastated

[DDC]

We got hit with a huge blow in October, while getting ready to leave for the Alabama Rally my wife said she had hemorrhoids and went to the family Dr.
He forwarded her to a specialist within two weeks (not bad for here) who determined that it was cancer and not hemorrhoids. After all the tests we were informed that it was stage four and had advanced to the liver/ one kidney/ pelvis bones and various other parts. The initial shock that there is no way to stop or cure this has sunk in now, she was offered chemo and radiation and being older we have seen what that does so she said no.
Go do your bucket list in the next few weeks the Dr said but the pain meds kind of stopped that. We had just bought a new truck and were shopping around for a new fifth-wheel, we had even settled on a silverback 33IK, she is now telling me that she wants me to keep this going and to get what we decided on, I am wondering how many people keep camping on their own ( dog included) after losing their loved one.

[Night Stone]

Sorry to hear about her diagnosis. Prayers be with you and your wife. From what I read what you have mentioned and what your wife have said. Basically she has given you part of her bucket list, "go on what we have decided on". IMHO she is saying do this in memory of her, get out and stay active, don't stay home and be depressed.

I know there are a few forum members who do camp on their own, Terier is one that comes to mine.

[youroo]

Donald, Mary and ,Casey, You are Family! We are all with you on any Journey you select! Mary,Joyce wants to Send Cherries,how can this be done? Love you Guys! Mr. and Mrs,. Youroo!!

[pt1655]

DDC,
So sorry to hear of your wife's illness. I don't know what else to say other than God Bless and know that there are a lot of us on this forum that wish you and your wife well. You are both in our prayers.
Pete

[A32Deuce]

Sorry to hear about you wife. Life does go on, just not how we wanted it to end. I know how it is! I am working on my bucket list! Hang in there and enjoy every minute you can together and yes you can live her bucket list. We are with you.

[Oakman]

Oh crap Don, that is horrible. I’ll put you and Mary in my prayers. Joyce and I always enjoyed your company at the rallies we’ve attended together and I loved to hear Mary’s laugh. This makes me so sad I really don’t what to say.

[Skyliner]

Don't give up hope. I believe in miracles. I will keep your wife in my daily thoughts and prayers and wish her well.

I can't imagine camping without my wife and this thought and your situation puts tears in my eyes. We both agreed that either of us dies, we'll continue camping for the "chidren's" sake...our 3 boxers. We bought a bigger fifth wheel just so the darn dogs would have more room and they seem to enjoy camping as much if not more than we do. My wife knows if I die first, she will never be alone camping and I will always watch out over her from above. I'm proud of her and know she can handle every aspect of camping that includes hitching up, towing, leveling, starting/running the generator, and minor troubleshooting. Rest assured, I'm sure you will never be alone camping if God decides to reunite your lovely wife with him sooner than you'd like.

God bless you and make the most of the time you have together. I'm in the medical field and there was a reader's digest article published in the last 12 months about medical professionals and chemotherapy/end of life care. Most physicians do not bother with chemo and live equal or longer lifespans without the damaging effects of chemo that I have personally seen can make one's last months to live miserable. Chemo has its place as a curative so make your decision carefully and get plenty of other opinions.

My wife had chemo 15 years ago for a non-cancer related condition and the $75,000 out of pocket expense and treatment wasn't enough to save her kidney's from being destroyed by her auto-immune condition. They didn't prescribe or have as potent anti-emetics as they do now and the chemo nausea/vomiting and diarrhea were very hard on my wife.

Have as much fun and living life to the fullest as you can with the time you have left together. Do not forget to take care of yourself. Your wife and your dog depend on you being in good health.

[Keystone]

[DDC]

Originally Posted by youroo

Donald, Mary and ,Casey, You are Family! We are all with you on any Journey you select! Mary,Joyce wants to Send Cherries,how can this be done? Love you Guys! Mr. and Mrs,. Youroo!!

Thanks for the offer Joyce but her taste buds are all but gone and she's not got much of an appetite anymore.

[asquared]

DDC I hate this for you guys. Our thoughts and prayers go out for you. Follow her lead and support her in her wishes. Hold her, cry with her, and then enjoy the bucket list with her. As for camping alone, do what feels right to you. If you are initially uncomfortable, try camping just at rallies and maybe find a camping club. It will be hard but it sounds like she is telling you it's ok to keep living your life. I am a GI endoscopy nurse, message me if I can help you with anything.

[Herk7769]

Laura and I send our love and prayers for you both.

Words alone can not express the devastation we feel at hearing of your wife's diagnosis. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

Lou and Laura

[ResQfrog]

DDC,
We send or thoughts and prayers for both of you.

[schrederman]

Life throws us a curve sometimes. I would hate to be without Dee Deebut I'd have to go on living, and to me that means camping, flying, fishing, and being a grandfather. You are both in our thoughts and prayers.

[B and B]

Don,
Very sad to hear of Mary's diagnosis. Thoughts and prayers are with both of you.
Brian and Bette.

[drakethib]

Praying for you guys

[TURBS]

Don, very sad to hear this.
Lost my mother to cancer a year. "67"
Was very excited when I was able to meet you and Mary this summer!
You two participated in all of our activities and had a ball!
Our thoughts are with you!

[rlocicero]

A very close friend lost her husband 3 years ago and she is still camping with us. She loves camping. We have a pretty close knit group of family and friends who supported her and everything is OK. She does tow her trailer.

[ramair]

Thoughts and prayers are for you and your family during this hard time.

[mcnabbwr]

Don,

We met you and Mary in Nashville. Our prayers go out for both of you.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by DDC

We got hit with a huge blow in October, while getting ready to leave for the Alabama Rally my wife said she had hemorrhoids and went to the family Dr.
He forwarded her to a specialist within two weeks (not bad for here) who determined that it was cancer and not hemorrhoids. After all the tests we were informed that it was stage four and had advanced to the liver/ one kidney/ pelvis bones and various other parts. The initial shock that there is no way to stop or cure this has sunk in now, she was offered chemo and radiation and being older we have seen what that does so she said no.
Go do your bucket list in the next few weeks the Dr said but the pain meds kind of stopped that. We had just bought a new truck and were shopping around for a new fifth-wheel, we had even settled on a silverback 33IK, she is now telling me that she wants me to keep this going and to get what we decided on, I am wondering how many people keep camping on their own ( dog included) after losing their loved one.

I am sorry to hear this news. You are on target about doing stuff on the budget list sooner than later.

I found that some will go on and continue camping after losing a loved one while others do not. After losing my brother to cancer my sister-in-law wanted to keep camping but due to financial reasons she had to sell their 5th wheel. Someday she hopes to borrow a RV from family friends and camp again.

My sister mother-in-law continues to camp and drives the MH across country just like when her husband was alive.