I can't believe it's been 2 years! Such memories we made. Glorious, Sun-drenched memories!
There were several things that made this vacation so amazing...
One, of course, the Mediterranean...does it get any more fabulous?
Two, traveling with friends...so. much. fun.
And thirdly, we did something so out of our comfort zone that I'm still amazed, but it made the trip over-the-top, spectacularly amazing. We hired private drivers to take us around the ports of call. I know, I know... sounds so rich and snobby-like we're all fancy-schmansy, when obviously we're not... goat farmers, people! But hiring the drivers ended up costing us the same as if we each had paid for one of the cruise excursions, so... nibbling our nails and nervous with anticipation we set off for the unknown with our local drivers.
So Amazing. Each driver took us around their city and shared off-the-beaten-path wonders, and history and stories and, oh, it was magical... I seriously recommend for anyone traveling... But this post does have a point so let me get on with it... :-)
When we arrived in Naples, we were met by Dominic and loaded into his comfy van...
and we were whisked away for a marvelous day!
A drive down the Amalfi Coast...
Harrowing cliffs, unspeakably beautiful views...
So glad Dominic was behind the wheel.
Villages perched on the cliffs,
We spiraled down to the sea...
Stopping at tiny flower-draped chapels
along the way.
Dominic took us down cobble-stone streets
and stopped for charming road-side vendors...
Dominic asked if we would like a traditional,
authentic lunch along the coast?
Why, yes, we would!
We met Mama Tagliata...
And dined on her scrumptious Italian cuisine.
Ok, pinch me... does this really happen to ordinary people?!
Then Dominic drove us up the coast
for more photo ops...
which he seemed to enjoy as much as us!
As the day wound down, Dominic escorted us to
the haunting city of Pompeii and gave us a tour of
a side not often seen...
Instead of the tourists and crowds,
we were left to wander these quiet streets
and imagine the lives that lived here,
the loves that held each other close here
and the families that made this home...
Hauntingly beautiful.
By the end of the day, we had made a new friend in Dominic.
And our lives were so very enriched for it.
I'm sure you might be wondering how Mediterranean drivers and pancreatic cancer have anything in common, I truly am getting to the point... as Farmer Husband would say, well, get there faster... (smile).
What I'd like to share is how much they're alike, and how much we can learn from each one...
When you or one you love is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the first things you will need to do is find an oncologist or cancer doctor to treat your case. If you are like the thousands of other average, hard-working people I know, then you probably don't know any oncologists off hand.
We didn't know a thing about Naples when we docked in that port, well, except for the things we had heard or read about. The same thing was true when mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We knew little to nothing about that cancer, and the more we read, the more confused and horrified we became.
Hiring a local driver opened up the real world of Naples and the Amalfi Coast for us. Dominic knew his city and its history, knew where to take us, knew the amazing sights to show us, the breath-taking vistas to give us, all to make our one day an absolutely, completely magical one... something we could never have done on our own.
"Hiring" a good cancer doctor is the same. You need to have an absolutely solid cancer team to treat this nightmare of a cancer. You need a doctor you trust, one you can call night or day, a doctor that sees his work with you as personal and wants only your best, one that is current with the latest treatments and protocols for pancreatic cancer, one with the same goals you have...
One you would trust with your life, because you are.
But, take a breath, you have time... Talk with your primary care physician, call your insurance company and ask for recommendations. Listen to family and friends, often they will be able to recommend someone.
Check with some of these organizations for tips on finding an oncologist or cancer doctor:
Then once you have found a doctor, meet with them and really talk about your case. Mom and Dad and I went together to her first visit. This was crucial since we were all still in shock. Don't be surprised if you don't remember anything from this first visit. Bring a trusted family member or friend, they may think to ask questions you haven't even thought of... and will help you remember what you need when you finally break through the first wave of horror and begin to deal with your cancer.
And you will be able to deal with it. You may not think so now, but you are so much stronger than you know.
And having a great cancer team to guide you, support you, and lift you up when you falter will be the backbone of your pancreatic cancer journey.
Just like having Dominic behind the wheel on our Amalfi Coast Adventure, your Cancer Doctor will help you navigate the unknown on this cancer road, bringing the wisdom and expertise desperately needed for this journey.
Praying here and now you find that there is always Grace enough for the Journey. Always.
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