Last updated on March 13, 2026
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My friend is on her way to Europe. She and her husband will spend the spring in Crete, Greece, and they are both very excited about it. They will spend a few days in Rome, Italy, a couple of days in Vienna, Austria, and will make a few other stops in other countries.
A dream vacation at last.
Doctors and hospitals in every city have her medical records on file. She will check in after arrival in every city, something her doctor, her family, and friends insisted on.
Planning her itinerary had brought joy to my life, and when I heard her say, “Who knew dying could be so much fun,” I swallowed hard first, then I smiled as well. That’s my friend, and that’s why I love her. Unpredictable, always optimistic, realistic, crazy sense of humor, a silver-lining kind of woman that you can’t resist.
A stage IV cancer patient living her life to the fullest.
I know what she wishes for, and I hope it all ends the way she wants it.
“Maybe I drop dead when I stand in front of the Colleseum,” she joked. “Killed by Romans, like in the good old times when the Roman Empire decided on life and death.” How can you listen to this and not grin?
I have asked myself more than once what I would do in her situation, and after my first anger over her decision to decline treatments had vanished, I could see myself reacting similarly. Perhaps we all can understand?
I want her to come back, to her kids and grandchildren, to her friends and neighbors, but also feel that I am letting go already.
Planning the trip with her was fun. Writing to the hospitals and doctors, translating back and forth, has given me insight into her diagnoses and what can be expected. Doctors are realists; their language is emotionless, facts only. Side effects, travel complications, pain meds. It has silenced my wishes. I am now all in. My wishes have aligned with hers.
Fly, my friend, have fun. Have a wonderful spring, perhaps even a good summer.
You will return one way or another.
Life for me goes back to normal. Enough excitement on my end~!
Back to blogging, rambling, reading, and writing.
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I wish her great joy in her final adventure and hope her travels are pain-free and trouble-free. May her end journey be easy and full of happy times with her husband. What an honour for you to be able to help her with the planning.
I support her decision to enjoy what time she has. My aunt did the same. They told her she’d have a good summer and she did. Friends and family visited often, we hiked in her favorite woods, swam in her community pool, went to hear her beloved symphony. And when it went downhill, health wise, she spent a week or so in bed and then went on to her next adventure. I want to go that way too. It’s not the way it’s going here with my husband, who is fighting every day to get more days. Treatments are rough. But it’s his decision and I support him to do it his way too.
I respect her decision and your support. Bless her, and may she have a great trip.
I love your support of your friend…fly and have fun. Beautiful, Bridget. ❤️
The song says ‘I did it my way’ . . . I sincerely hope that her mind is able to ask her body to just cutting that ‘end bit’ out for awhile . . . you know how strong the mind can be . . . blessings . . . I shall be praying for her .. .
You’re a good friend.
a safe and blessed journey to your friend whatever course that path takes. thank you for being a true friend to her.