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| Stan with his mom, my dad (1938-2008) and my mom, in Albi, France |
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| Mamy, with Lucas and Lucie, the last time we all visited as family. |
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| Mamy with the kids. Mamy ever smoked, never really drank, and was a high school PE teacher. |
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| In Carcassonne with the kids. |
It has been an extremely difficult few years for Stan's family. Two years ago Stan went to France alone with Lucas. While palnning for their trip, Stan learned that his one of his faovorite cousins' husband had brain cancer. Days before leaving on their trip Stan got the news that Christophe had died. He was in his late 30s and he was Stan's best man in our wedding. His decline was incredibly rapid. Leaving behind his young wife and two children. Christophe had taken time off work to spend time with Stan and Lucas on their vacation. In a sad twist of fate Stan made it just in time for his funeral, one day after arriving in France. Stan never got to say goodbye to Christophe. When Stan returned from France, his mother's mom died a month later and Stan's father's mother died shortly after. It has been one sad event after another.
Stan is lost right now. Being so far away is the hardest part. You think of all the lost time. To make things even more difficult, his passport has expired and he must wait until the 14 Th for his appointment at the consulate in San Francisco. We are hoping he can get an emergency passport due to the circumstances.
Please keep Stan and his family in your prayers and positive thoughts. He needs to be there for his parents. His father JUST retired less than a month ago.
This was the summer Stan was supposed to take Lucie to France. We aren't sure about anything now. Part of me thinks Stan should take the kids. Part of me says wait. What we do know is that Stan needs to go. Now.
I am sorry to bring such dreadful news, but I knew I could turn to my blogging friends.
Bisous,
Karen
All I can tell you is that my precious husband, Pat died of lung cancer. We found out and ten days later he was gone.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the children are concerned..depending on how old they are..but I think Stan should go and leave the children. He may not have the time to look after them. It's a private decision but not great for the children.
Do they want to go..are they old enough to understand how things might be. I have gone through the deaths of two husbands from fast moving cancer..thankfully all seven of our children were grown. We did not take the young ones to the hospital. They remember their grandfather as handsome and strong...not the way he looked in the hospital bed.
My best to you and my heart goes out to you and your family.
Hugs,
Mona
Thank you, Mona. I am so sorry you lost two husbands from fast moving cancer. It doesn't seem fair. I think this is great advice. I think Stan should go alone. I am on his heels to get there and get there fast. I know his biggest regret would be not making it there on time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have Lucas and Lucie go see my father towards the end either. I remember everyone telling me that for a long time my dreams and thoughts would only be of my dad ill. Then as time goes by you dream of them as they once were.
I really appreciate that you shared your story. I appreciate your honesty too.
Thank you.
So very sorry...saying a prayer for your family!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurel. I am feeling so helpless. I appreciate you kind words and prayers!
DeleteKaren
Karen,
ReplyDeleteYour family will be in my prayers too! Cancer seems to touch us all in some way or form. My best to you.
Pat
Thank you, Pat. I really want my husband on board a plane ASAP. He needs to be there. It's making me so nervous. I know how important is is to be there. You are right, too. Cancer does seem to touch us all. It's so sad.
DeleteKaren
Karen, I am so sorry to hear of all your family's losses. It is never easy, especially as in the case of his friend being so young. I hope you get good news about Stan's mother and that he can get to France before too long. I'm thinking and praying for you and your family. Take care..Judy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Judy. It means so much. It's so hard getting bits and pieces of information from so far away. Today we learned it's secondary and it started as breast cancer. Not good. Stan told his boss today. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
DeleteKaren
I'm so sorry to hear this, Karen! I will be sure to pray for Stan and for his mother as well as you and the rest of the family. What a difficult few years, even more so being far away! I hope that he is able to get an emergency passport. Take care, and keep us posted when you can.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna. It means so much. I am so nervous and just want him there NOW. His poor father. We also found out it's a secondary cancer and it started as breast cancer. This is not good news. I feel so helpless. Thanks for your prayers. It means the world.
DeleteKaren
Prayers and thoughts of you all. (((( ))))))
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lynn! It just means so much to us! I really appreciate it.
DeleteKaren
Please know that you are all in my prayers. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteRoseann, that you so so much! I really appreciate it and feel the support!
DeleteKaren
I will certainly keep her in my prayers and your whole family. I know how devastating this news can be and I'll pray for your comfort. Take care and keep us up to date on how she is doing. I hope you hear good news. Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane. I have never seen Stan like this. Today we learned that it was a secondary cancer that started as breast cancer. Not good. I really want him to get there and be with his parents. Thanks so so much for your support and prayers. It means the world to me.
DeleteKaren
I hope that Stan will get everything straight so that he can go be with his parents. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tammy! He is on his way to SF this morning. He is going to ask for the emergency passport. When he finally told everyone at work, they all said GO! I am washing clothes and packing for him. I hope he gets it today. So hard to be so far away.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hi Karen, sorry you are experiencing such tragedy in your family right now. I hope your husband can get back to France in time to say goodbye. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you and your family....Such trying circumstances..
You are in my thoughts and in my prayers..
Hugs,
Deb
Dear Karen, I will gladly pray for your Stan. It is sad when so many tragic things happen so close together. It would be sad anyways...but so much at once is hard to understand and bear. May God be with all of you.xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteDear Karen, from the bottom of my heart, I'm truly sorry to hear about this situation and can fully imagine what a difficult, uncertain and stressful time this must be for you and you and your husband. Your whole family will be in my thoughts around the clock. Thank you very much for sharing this intimate matter with us. Let us all hope that dearly that it is not small cell cancer.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Prayers to you and your family <3
ReplyDeleteKaren I am so sorry to hear this news. I will keep your husband and his family in my prayers. I know how hard it is being away from your aging parents and the fact she lives in France makes it even more difficult I know. Keep us updated and know that your blogging friends are here for you.
ReplyDeletehugs, Linda
Oh sweet Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law! Please know that you and your dear family will be in my prayers. I know we only know each other through our blogs, but if there is anything I can do, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteHugs and love,
Stephanie
Oh no!!! Your sweet family is in my prayers. Please take care.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kathy
This is simply devastating. I can't imagine how Stan is feeling. I will most certainly remember his mother in my prayers. Praying for a miracle here - for God to do a supernatural healing in her body.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Oklahoma,
Meredith
Oh this is so sad and I'm very sorry. I'll add Stan and his mother to my prayers. She looks like a wonderful woman!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family during this difficult and sad time. May God watch over you all and bring you comfort.
Special Thoughts for You,
From Texas-Jemma