More Disney Magic

I met a prince (of course Danny is my main prince...lol) and a princess at an unforgettable night at Fantasmic in the large arena where you watch the nighttime fireworks extravaganza show.

Fantasmic lets you ride your scooter into the arena and park it above the bleachers.  Your family sits in the bleachers directly below you and you stay on your scooter for the show.

Parked next to me were a "couple" who appeared young and beautiful.  Rachel looked like a model and Steve was a virile looking young man.  Both were in their 30's and, like a chemo brain moron, I wondered why they were on scooters (I wondered to myself, thank goodness).

Well, waiting for the show, my 5 year old granddaughter, Bella, fell in love (her "fourth boyfriend") with Steve's 5 year old Tyler.  We got to talking.  It turns out Rachel had Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 4 at age 11.  She is now 36 and has two beautiful children and a sweet husband (not Steve).  Her cancer has stayed in remission, but she had very extensive chemo and radiation to get it there (long story).  She now has end-stage cardiomyopathy and is not a candidate for a transplant.  Her courage and loving spirit are amazing.

Steve was diagnosed with ALL (leukemia) 2 years ago.  He was in dental school when he was told he had weeks to live without treatment.  He informed his residents the morning he was diagnosed, to get moving because he "had cancer to walk off."  He has had such a rough time: chemo, bone marrow transplant, donor vs graft, multiple infections (including one where he coded and ended up with a trach and in rehab for a very long time), and severe sclerosis of his legs and arms.  He met Rachel (a former social worker) at his cancer center and she, with her experience, immediately connected with his family.  Both families were in Disney together at the same resort.

The great news is that both young people are in remission.  The grim news is that they are both terribly ill still.  Did I ever mention how much I hate cancer?!

OK, this is sounding depressing, but these are two of the most upbeat and courageous people I have ever met-both with amazing, happy spirits.  I felt the night was very special and the connection was, like with so many here, real and immediate.

We bumped into them again at Norway's princess dinner and Bella immediately found boyfriend #4.

When I got home, it bothered me that I hadn't given them my contact info, so (I am sure this doesn't surprise anyone here), I googled Steve, ALL, dental school, and his state and his name popped up.  I then immediately connected with him and his lovely wife on FB and they gave me Rachel's FB info.  My daughter says they probably think I am a crazy stalker, but, an advantage of being old, I think or hope they are gaining some support that they needed right now.  Or at least this is what Steve's wife kindly tells my deluded self. ;-)

I don't know if they have benefited at all from me, but they have added so much to my life.  I feel renewed in my battle to inform and rale against the beast!

Of all of the amazing rides, wonderful memories, and Bella-isms, that was my favorite.  Life is a strange journey sometimes!