I too am looking for travel insurance (though I have no right to be on this forum as I’m not 50 anymore!). Newly in remission I hope to go on a mediterranean cruise with my sister, who is over 70. I will check out all clear, thanks Jean. There is a booklet by MacMillan “Getting Travel Insurance” which lists a number of companies who have covered cancer patients in the past but it’s overall tone is not optimistic! Anyone had any other experiences with other companies?
Dormouse.
Hi Kay
Listening to your story has finally made me take the plunge and join in this forum. Dealing with a relationship breakdown and your diagnosis at the same time is the kind of “double whammy” that many of us have probably experienced. In my case it was retirement and the whole “what is the point in me now?” which came along with a diagnosis of MM which of course throws up “why am I spending so much effort to live when there is no point to it?”
Basically you had a future, with your husband. I am sure you had plans for that future and when you split up that future was taken away. A diagnosis of incurable cancer is another thing which takes all your future plans and throws them away. In many ways you have a grieving process to undergo – grieving the loss of your marriage and your future.
It’s hard and I don’t pretend to have all (or indeed any) of the answers. I am gradually – after two years – beginning to come to terms with the frustration, grief and loneliness of that loss. I too have had some counselling and recommend it highly as a way to start.
It sounds too easy but concentrating on “now” rather than tomorrow as much as you can has helped me, as has throwing myself into trying to help others, not because I am a wonderful person (although of course I am 😉 ) but because it gives me a reason to exist – I am useful to someone, even if it’s only for a split second, for that moment my life has a point.
Slowly I feel I’m getting there. I have learned:
Everything takes ages so you don’t have to make decisions until you have had time to get used to the idea
I still have suicidal thoughts from time time but much less often and for shorter periods of time. I have made plans to end my life but having done so I now feel I can put them to one side and just feel safe in the knowledge that when/if I want them they will be there. Meanwhile I can just live from day to day. The more time that goes by the easier I am finding it to stay in the “now”. Working as a volunteer has been a great help to me – even though it takes an effort of will to go out I know I will feel better when I get there.
I wish you peace and healing for your heart.
Dormouse.
