I visited a very close friend who lost her husband less than six months ago to cancer. She is now in respite care, as she herself, is suffering with terminal cancer as well, and only has days to live.
My heart goes out to you Andi, to you, and your family. Prayers travel the world, and I will add Rose, and your family, to my prayers.
We only hope that your road isn't going to be a rocky one, but remember miricles can happen, so try to always think positive thoughts, and bless each and every day you have together.....
My suggestion is: After getting over the initial shock, the sickening kick-in-the-stomach feeling, crying, etc. PLEASE spend time with ROSE and do all the things you/she want to do before she passes away. Most people do not know when they are going to pass on and you and Rose have at least a head's up and can do what others don't get a chance to do.
My father passed away three weeks ago. Last year he had surgery and I flew to Georgia to see him and try to help him heal. What I didn't expect is that I was able to spend three of the best days of my life with my father. He was confined to the bed, had to sit there and listen to me, and we talked about everything that he couldn't say before (when he was mobile and could run away when things got too 'emotional'). I came away from that experience with a strange knowing that I probably wouldn't ever see him again but completely refreshed and renewed knowing that we experienced a connection that was unsurpassed. I will treasure that forever...
PLEASE everyone! Enjoy every moment with your loved ones like it's your last....
I'm terribly sorry for what you and your family are going through. I went through something similar when my father passed away. All I can say is, spend all the time you can together. I promise you, no matter how hard it is to be around someone knowing that they're going through something so difficult, you'll regret every minute you don't spend with them. Best wishes, I hope she has a miracle.
Why Rose? The key is in her name. There has never been a connection between one's beauty and how long one has to live. I don't believe in a God that makes just decisions for our lives on this earth. I believe in a God that we reach out to (in many manifestations) because he is our only chance for peace. I also believe that Rose's spirit has its own life, one that will continue (like the roses you see year after year).
That being said, hang the doctors. They can only guess.
I have read this thread a few times as it has grown in size, with all the heart felt sympathy for Andi, his family and most of all at this time Rose and I have just had a quick flick through all the people that have posted here, we have Andi and Rose here in the UK along with myself, there are people from Canada, all over the USA, Austraila and New Zealand.
It takes quite time to fly around the world even in this day and age with all the technology we have but we are brought together by a common interest (Photography) into a community that if put together in one place would make up a suburb of most major cities.
Upon reading the posts that people have written there is a lot of love for Andi, his family and Rose at this time, my heart and prayers also go out to you at this time, and it is this love that we all give to each other that makes this world a better place to live in and also I know and I am sure others do too, that if we have a problem or some sort of sadness that we can start a forum thread here and the others in this community will help in what every way they can
Just a little ditti I heard some time ago:
Yesterday has happened,
Tomorrow it yet to come,
Today is a gift,
That is why it is called the present.
Also, having read sherpet's Bio she ends it by saying "Today is the best day of your life, enjoy, and make the most of it....." and as someone else has said spend time with Rose and make the post of this precious time you have together.
Sorry for the long post but I am sure people would agree with me.
I have no idea what this feels like, but my heart goes out to you and yours. I hope, as many people have said, that you enjoy your last months together, but mostly that Rose and yourselves can be spared the separation and she may live a lot longer and prove the doctors wrong.
Andi
I'm so incredibly sad to hear the latest diagnosis after Rose's recent surgery. I hope with all my heart that she will prove the 18 month prediction wrong and live a long and happy life.
Also, please congratulate her on her wonderful achievement of a 2:2 - no mean feat when struggling with illness throughout. I hope she will be able to enjoy the success of her labours and see her jewellery become as popular as I'm sure it deserves. I hope she can also pursue as many of her other dreams as possible - visiting places she has dreamed of seeing, trying out activities and experiences... and most of all, spending quality time with her friends and family.
Wishing Rose and all the family the very very best,
Kavey
My suggestion is: After getting over the initial shock, the sickening kick-in-the-stomach feeling, crying, etc. PLEASE spend time with ROSE and do all the things you/she want to do before she passes away. Most people do not know when they are going to pass on and you and Rose have at least a head's up and can do what others don't get a chance to do.
My father passed away three weeks ago. Last year he had surgery and I flew to Georgia to see him and try to help him heal. What I didn't expect is that I was able to spend three of the best days of my life with my father. He was confined to the bed, had to sit there and listen to me, and we talked about everything that he couldn't say before (when he was mobile and could run away when things got too 'emotional'). I came away from that experience with a strange knowing that I probably wouldn't ever see him again but completely refreshed and renewed knowing that we experienced a connection that was unsurpassed. I will treasure that forever...
PLEASE everyone! Enjoy every moment with your loved ones like it's your last....
I went through this exact same type of scenario with my father about 2 years ago. They had given him 6 months...his will lasted a little over 18 months. I am sure Rose's will is strong and that you shall enjoy her for much longer than what they say...hopefully it will be YEARS and YEARS!! As has been said, enjoy and cherish the NOW.
Wow Andi, I don´t really know what to say, as a father I can´t imagine what I would do if I got this news about either of my kids, my world would come crashing down... :(
Send my best to Rose and to look at the bright side I know you will do the most with the time you have left :)
If there is anything you think I can do for you, let me know, like if she want´s to travel and see some of the world and Iceland should be on your destination list, I´ll be glad to show you around or at least give you pointers.
If our collective energy stays at the peak level it is now, it could really make a difference. Positive energy sent out into the universe whether it be Christian's prayers, a glimmer of hope,or just faith in the goodness of life, really has an effect. It ties us all together to make one giant hug, circling the world and embracing your sweet precious Rose with the love that can only be given by other human beings.
Rise up and think only the very best. Doctors can be wrong;results can be a mistake; people can suddenly get better. Be brave- it is much harder to refuse the negative than accept it.
Tell Rose alot of people are sending her light, love and thoughts of wellness. I am posting her picture so that people can use her image in their mind to see her happy and healthy.
Sorry to hear about Rose. One is not supposed to outlive their children, you don't like to see them suffer either.
My outlook is this: your 'entity' is given a life to learn something. when that something is learned, you leave, to come back more advanced next time. At some point you have advanced beyond here and go to 'heaven' or some other higher plane of existence.
So while losing someone we love is very sad, for them it is a graduation of sorts, they are moving on to something better.
Live life to the fullest, everyday, and don't worry about the end. When it's your time it's your time.
