L, since you want to hear what someone did for thier last vacation who actually was dying, let me tell you. I live in the midwest, and before my dad died he went back home to California. The purpose of his trip was to have his brother and 2 sisters, who haven't spoken to each other in 20 years, be on speaking terms before he died.

Kathy, I hope your dad was successful in his mission. Thinking of it like that, I guess I would go back to Mississippi where I was born. I would lie under a shade tree and just watch the clouds drift by, just like I did as a small child.

I'd go to the hot tub! (see post "Best
Sex on Vacation" above). And I'd
also do what Jeanette, Charles, Sam
& Slim suggested!

Assuming there wasn't a morbid reason for it's being "my last trip," I'd opt to return to my favorite haunt in the U.S.: New Orleans & environs (including the Cajun country & the English hill country around St. Francisville). If not confined to the U.S., I'd return again to Italy. What a way to go!

Well, at this time last year I was told that my cancer had "probably" metastisized to my lungs and that I'd probably be dead by June 2000.

And, guess what! I couldn't think of anyplace I wanted to go to. Also thought that the sporty, red convertible that I always said I wanted before I died, wasn't so important to me anymore.

My husband kept trying to ask me where I wanted to go - and it was just to stay home and be with my family!

FORTUNATELY, I was mis-diagnosed and have a clean bill of health (for now!), but we really put all of this in perspective as a loving family.

BUT, can't wait to visit Ireland, Greece, the fjords, etc. We plan to use any time we're here to party hardy!

CHEERS...

I think visiting friends and family would be the best "last trip"...but if I wanted to really get away, the coast of Maine is my favorite place. (off season is even better!)

A place I couldn't refuse -- Sicily, naturally beautiful and clean, fascinating history and culture, fantastic food and people -- a great place to live or die!!!!!

I have my parents' only 2 grandchildren. They have made lots of trips over the last 10 years all over the USA and Europe. Now that they are in their 70s and my daughters are both school age, my parents have decided that one of the things they want to leave their grandchildren are memories of doing seriously FUN stuff with their grandparents. Last year they took them to Disney World. We're looking to do that again or take them on a Disney Cruise this year. I think it's a GREAT idea. I would like to do the same when I have grandchildren.

TO CAROL: Hi, Carol...I too have cancer
(breast) & am concerned about metastasis. It's one of the things people with cancer have to learn to live with. I am also
an attorney. As a person living with cancer & as an attorney I just had to send a note here to say that I am
distressed to read your message. Any
doctor who would tell you that you 'probably' have metastasis & that you wld. 'probably' die within 6 months
is IMO clearly negligent! ( For those of you who are apt to say that this is NOT a
medico-legal BB, you're right! But I do feel that this has to be said so pls.
bear with me....) There are medical tests to determine metastatic disease & it's pretty clear cut when cancer has spread! And, even when cancer has spread
no one can say with any degree of certainty ( or probability!) when a cancer patient will die b/c each case varies tremendously. To give someone a 'six month' sentence is to give up hope!
I have seen many, many breast cancer
patients outlive the statistics by
years! Nobdy knows what keeps people going. There are huge 'psycho-neuro-immunological'
variables that simply cannot be accounted for.
And, your doctor should know that!
Think of the psychological "pain & suffering" you & your family have endured
b/c of the negligence, ignorance & insensitivity of your doctor!
On a more personal note, I do hope that you are 'back on track' & that the next time you will consider a 2nd opinion if someone tells you that your
cancer 'probably' has metastasized.
All the best, Carol...
Susan