Hive, I’m having a rough time. The thing is—my grandma was diagnosed with stage-four ovarian cancer a little over two months ago. She’s been going to chemo, which has shrunk her cancer, and was told last week that she needs to have surgery in January for the doctors to get out what they can and see where it’s spread to. McGlovin and I went to visit her this weekend, in an effort to reassure her that her health is far, far more important to us than her presence at our wedding. In truth, though—I’m heartbroken.
Grandma and Grandpa just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary—60 years! They are crazy-adorable, and their devotion to each other is really inspirational, as cheesy as that always sounds. Check out one of their wedding pics:
Look how adorable they are!
I don’t know what to think. I always pictured my wedding with all four of my grandparents present, the way that everyone always does. Ten years ago, when we celebrated the 50th wedding anniversaries of both sets of grandparents, I never would have expected anything else. Then, two years ago, my mom’s dad died in an incredibly tragic accident. I was brokenhearted to realize that McGlovin would never get to know this man, whom I had admired so much, and that he would never know our children…
And now, I guess that I’m not upset at the fact that my dad’s parents won’t be present at our wedding—that, by itself, seems a little selfish. I just…I’m just really upset that we seem to be losing people who are important to me (and to my family!) at a time when we’re supposed to be celebrating. And it’s sudden too, you know? Like, when my mom told my sister and me that my grandma had cancer, we were stunned—she is kind of the iron woman in our family, expected to live to be 110 or so.
So, hive—it’s just really rough right now. I’ll get back to planning stories, Howie hijinks, etc. at some point in the next few days, but damn…life is really awful sometimes, you know?
** All photos are from the family vault.
Awww *hugs* I’m so, so sorry to hear about that… My grandma passed away from ovarian cancer after fighting for about 8 years. It’s a really hard thing to go through. Thinking of your family and sending positive thoughts your way.
I am so sorry. I know how hard it can be to lose a grandparent or not have them be present as you once though. Stay strong and I am sending positive thoughts to you.
So sorry you and your family are going through this right now, I’ll be thinking of your grandmother.
I am so sorry about your grandmother. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
Is there anyway you could rig up a video chat type of thing (notice how tech savvy I am) so they could watch your wedding live?
I am so sorry! I will keep your grandmother in my thoughts and prayers! I’m in sort of a similiar situation except a few months after I got engaged I was diagnosed with late stage 1 cervical cancer (its basically stage 2 but at the time I was initially diagnosed they didn’t think it had spread). Well after 6 months of surgery, radiation and chemo I am finally cancer free. It is def not how I pictured my first months of engagement. My wedding vision has changed a lot (my hair is just growing back and I used to have really long hair for starters) but I’m just happy I’ll be around for my wedding!
I really hope that things can work out and they can be there somehow. But if they can’t you can always watch the wedding video with them! I’m sure the most important thing to you is that she gets healthy. Sending lots of hugs, strength and positive thoughts your way!
I am so sorry to hear that about your grandmother! I know partially how you feel. My fiance has no grandparents left alive as his mum and dad a quite a deal older than your usual parents. When he and I got together he kind of adopted my grandparents (all 4 are still alive) unfortunately my nanna and pop’s health has deteriated quite dramatically over the last 7 years of our realtionship and they now live in a high care facility and are unable to travel so won’t be attending our wedding. My other pair of grandparens health is not much better though they still at home and at the very last moment they may pull out fo the wedding! So I definitely understand some of your sadness!
So so sorry, it is never something a family hopes for…I hope everything goes well with her treatment. Not sure if she is nearby AND/OR if you could… but at my cousins wedding her aunt and grandpa ended up in the hospital on her wedding day so she and her hubby swung by in their garb to share some love and a couple of minutes. Sweetie Scone’s paternal grandma couldn’t make it to our wedding due to the heat (and us tiring her out the day before), and we were hopeful that we could rearrange the schedule but it didn’t work out… just a thought…
Hugs to you, and your grandparents are adorable in those photos. Mr. C’s grandmother was too sick to attend our wedding and it was really hard not having her there. We got to visit her the next day and tell her about the wedding. Unfortunately that was our last visit with her as she passed away a couple months later. I am so thankful that we were able to share pictures with her and stories from our wedding before she passed.
I am so sorry you are going through this right now. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts your way.
Big hugs, Miss Gloves! I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother’s diagnosis. If it’s any consolation, my grandfather lived 8 months with a stage IV diagnosis so if your grandmother is as tough as you’ve described her, then I’ve got hope!
Sadly, we went through a similar trend before our wedding. We lost someone in Mr. PaC’s family around Thanksgiving for 5 years in a row; his grandfather was the last one 7 months before our wedding. I was fortunate enough to have one set of grandparents at our wedding.
I’m so sorry about your grandmother. big hugs! Keeping you and your grandmother in my thoughts.
Thinking of your grandmother. I learned on the night of my shower that my mom had what was likely the first stage of uterine cancer. She had a complete hysterectomy and everything is FINE now, but cancer is just devastating. Best wishes to your grandmother for beating the disease.
I’m so, so sorry Gloves. We lost way too many family members and friends in the year that we were planning, all the way up to right before the wedding. It’s really tough to be happy and sad at the same time. Sending you lots of comfort and hugs!
I’m so sorry Gloves, as you said, it is especially frustrating because this is supposed to be a time of celebration. I hope she gets better, big hugs.
I’m so sorry you won’t have her there to celebrate with you. I can only imagine how bummed you are. Maybe you can talk with her on the phone or video chat briefly on your big day. Something to connect her with you throughout the day.
I never knew my mother’s father, and my maternal grandmother passed away 11 years ago. Both of my paternal grandparents passed away this year, and my last living great aunt.
I was devastated too. I find solace knowing that they knew I was engaged and happy.
All of my fiance’s grandparents have passed away too.
I am so sad that there will be noone of that generation at my wedding , but they will be there in spirit, and we’re having their wedding pictures there on display.
My symapthies to you at this time though, as it can’t be easy for you and your family so close to your wedding. I hope she can beat it and get healthy again. Big hugs.
Your grandparents do make such an adorable couple and her dress is beautiful. I understand how you feel about losing people we love and so unexpectedly. All my grandparents have been deceased for over years and a man whom I considered like a father died of pancreatic cancer over a year ago. Life does suck sometimes, but since we’re alive we have to make the best of it. Although the memories are the ones that never seem to die.
Mrs. Gloves, Columbus, Ohio Age and Occupation: 25, Executive Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Firefighter Engagement Date: December 29, 2011 Wedding Date: January 2013 Venue: Cathedral ceremony, reception in a converted hardware warehouse About Me: I’m a blond-haired, blue-eyed Midwestern girl, who had grand plans of an international career, before the economy came crashing down right as I graduated college. I love travel, exploring other cultures, cooking for friends and family, and relaxing in a pedicure chair. My fiancé is the perfect, level-headed and logical counterpart for my impulsive tendencies, and the nicest person I’ve ever met. Lately, we like to spend our time renovating our new home, planning our wedding, and fitting in date night with friends. We are so looking forward to a wedding weekend jam-packed with all of our favorite people, plenty of food, and flowing champagne!
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