What’s your motivation to travel?
My mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 58. She was given 6 weeks to live.
After nine months of treatment, she asked to go to Disney World. She wanted to take her grandson to the Magic Kingdom.
My sister and I were nervous wrecks. More than once I thought it was a mistake.
I was wrong.
Over the next 4 years, before her death, we visited six countries.
My sister accompanied her on many stateside adventures.
She attended my wedding in Mexico, strolled the Champs Elysees in Paris, crossed the Charles Bridge in Prague, and bought Polish pottery in the “homeland”.
I served as her chief logistics officer, health adviser, and her companion. We laughed, took the wrong trains, and ate gelato.
Lessons learned along the way
While travel was possible, it was rarely easy.
High dose chemo resulted in an occasional mental “haze”. I cringed at every sneeze or cough within 15 feet since she was more susceptible to illness.
We developed workarounds, practiced patience, and adapted.
She was strong-willed and incredibly active, as am I, but we slowed down…and tried to enjoy the quiet moments.
Occasionally there were tears but mostly there was laughter and fun.
Her life, and how she managed adversity, continues to guide us
It’s been 14 years since she passed and yet she’s still central to our life.
The photos, the stories, and the memories remind us that her life was much greater than her final years managing cancer.
What I believe
Dealing with illness can be challenging.
Traveling with illness may seem like more effort than you want.
That’s where I come in.
While the “what ifs” may be real and challenges might exist…there’s likely a workaround.
If travel seems out of reach, I encourage you to write me at andrea@wayfinderadvantage.com so we can arrange a time to talk.