Retirement: We dreamed a dream.. but it didn't work out

by Sandy
(Illinois)

We had planned to return to our love of camping and travel once we retired.

Both of us planned an early retirement and we got it, sooner than we wanted after some health problems. I had surgery and received an unexpected Cancer diagnosis. He took early retirement then but within 3 months after, was blind due to a reaction he suffered from a new medication he was given.

Shattered dreams and lives turned upside down... it all came so quickly. Lots of problems ensued. I am ok now but he is still blind and always will be.

Wendy: Wow.. that's a rough story. I processed disability retirements for many years in my former working life, and nobody expects it.
The retirement transition can be difficult when its a voluntary retirement, but when its a disability with health issues on top of the transition itself, it's downright devastating.

I do think you sound good... look forward to a great retirement despite your setbacks. Get some tape/cd books from the library so that both of you can enjoy them together.

Give hubby time to work things out. He can do plenty still, just needs time to figure it all out.

p.s. I have a Retirement Transition email group if you'd like to join us...