hi kez and sue so sorry to hear about your predicament and all i can say is that you have to be strong for each other and you will get through it, although you will never forget it.
I was in a similar position in 2007 when my dad took ill. We had had the holiday booked, also two other families were going with us and we had arranged to met with another family who are great friends whilst we were in Icmeler. Two weeks before departure my dad became seriously ill and basically we were told that he had less than 8 weeks to live. My mam and sister both told me to go on holiday and enjoy myself, and after all mandy and the kids also needed a holiday, and that my dad was getting the best possible care.It was probably one of the hardest decisions i have made in my life, and we are all different, so i never judge anybody.
I even tried to persuade mandy and the kids to go, they would be with good friends so i had no concerns about them being in
Icmeler with out me.
Anyhow i just could not go and had to tell the minibus driver and neighbours who were going with us that i had made my mind up. It was horrible, but life is a bitch and things are just sent to try you, and you have to deal with the situation as you see fit.
I spoke to our GP and told him about what i had done and he completed all the necessary forms and wrote a covering letter to the insurance company and was sent a cheque for the full amount less the deposit i think.