Good morning everyone. Thanks for joining us today. Yesterday was a lovely day, we went down to Jeanette's parents in Tunbridge Wells and had a lovely lunch at the Mark Cross Inn. Mmm, scrummy. After that we went back to Jeanette's parents' for my afternoon 3 hour sleep, then up and home. It was great although these problems are starting to wear me down a bit.
I couldn't see so good all day. I've got double vision now. The mettalic taste in my mouth just won't go. I'm dehydrated. I'm knackered. I can't be bothered to do things around the house. I would have been the first to do things but now I really have to slow down way beyond where I want to. So I had a bit of a moment in the car (tears) and kindly Jeanette brought me back round. She is my rock and my love. I don't know what I'd do without her, I really don't.
We also read peoples' comments once we got home and that makes a huge difference to the way we feel. This positive attitude from everyone is really helping. I sat in the bath last night wondering why we can't have an engagement party like everyone else, why we can't go back to France and live normal lives. I just want to ski again, bring the wood in and be like I was.
Rant over, new day tomorrow. I love the 'ThinkShrink!' attack on my tumor. It really, really is helping. Messages and ThinkShrink....lets go
Love
Ali
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26 comments:
Dear Ali
you are in my thoughts all the time and i have been singing 'let's shrink, let's shrink, let's shrink, go Ali, let's shrink, let's shrink, let's shrink' (to the tune of Lily the Pink, as suggested) all round my house - Phoebe and Rufus are joining in.
it's ok to be down, let us lift you up with happy thoughts and tuneless voices (!). we are here for you Ali, even if you can't see us.
Linz xx
Hey Ali,
All at Lower Farm are thinking of you and beaming lots of shrinking power across Hertfordshire at you.
We are all here for you and Jeannette. Mr Tumour doesn't stand a chance against our combined forces.
With love,
Philip and the Lower Farm posse xxx
You're doing well mate, you looked great the other day and was awesome to see you. I had my down days as well, you'll get through them. Jeanette is a complete and utter champion as well!!
Hope you are enjoying your nano with your own music, I am just about to go down to work now, will be sending shrinking thoughts all the time. Let me know about you two staying here...
Love to you both, Tim x
ps. hope you're not getting too bored of all these Bouscarle comments!
Ali
We will have a 'completely positive' drive up to the hospital tomorrow ok and the thought for today is lets plan for Easter Sunday lunch at Cap Horn as normal - I will try and find the photos of you last year trying to ski off on the wooden terrace after just one or two genepis!!! Have a good rest today and see you in the morning
all our love
jumbo, luce, julia and hugo xx
Hi Ali,
Harriet and Martin (Hemsley)here, writing from Méribel. Just want to say ALL THE BEST with the treatment - and congratulations on setting up this blog! Back in the autumn when we were still in the UK, we'd heard on the "3 Valleys Ski Instructor" grapevine that you weren't well, then once we were in France someone mentioned a blog. I typed "Ali Rainback" into Google and there you were (well, after 7 or 8 lines about some New Gen ski school....!!)
You obviously have a strong network of family and friends - and of course medics! - around you which must be great. And all of us out in the Alps (and elsewhere) wishing you well.
Love Harriet and Martin xx
Hi Ali,
What a great idea to have a blog. I have to admit that I've never visited one before so hope this comment arrives! We're constantly thinking of you and I forwarded the address to Debbie in NZ and we sat talking on Skype as we both looked at your blog. Stay positive and I'm sure you will be doing that bike ride next year.
love Tony & Viv Newton
Hey Ali
Just to let you know we are still here reading your blog everyday and 'thinking shrink' all the time. We now live in the same Suffolk village as the Graebes and they send all their best wishes to you too. So glad you have your wonderful family, including the lovely Jeannete (look forward to meeting her someday).
Here's to a positive new year!
Love
Miranda & Alan xxx
PS Always remember how kind you were stopping that day when we had a punctured tyre (oh, and when I knocked over our wheelie bin!) So not surprised how many great friends you have...
what-ho Ali,
just down at my folks for sunday lunch and catching up on your blog. next time you're getting zapped imagine the combined forces of me and Fat Nick jumping up and down on your little temporary visitor. that'll shrink the ba#ta*d!
Positive thoughts coming your way buddy.
Fran
Darling Ali ,
Lifes a rollercoaster angel , I know that only too well but dont beat yourself up for having a down day as its only human . You have the strength of a 100 men and the humour to help shrink this flippin tumour into oblivion . Ill see you during the week and this time ill promise to leave the mince pies with you x
Hi Ali,
Just managed to get the right address for your site! Sounds like things are getting underway with the shrinkedge which is great! Everything seems to be going well here in Verbier too, I'm loving the place. Hadn't ever been here before coming out to work for you guys! Teachings going really well, and skiing hard just like you asked, nailing those bumps. Sharing accomodation with a few of the guys from last year although my mince pies have gone mysteriously missing...not too happy!
Anyway, theres lots of thoughts going your way all round out here and we've decided that if there was anything you would like to see most if you were here, then it would be us all skiing as hard and fast as possible. So we're trying our best!
Hopefully speak soon!..good luck with it all!
Sam Pickup
Keep going Buddy. I'll be Think Shrink all week and remember to have that lovely shirt on for Wednesday morning!.
Speak tomorrow.
Love Fatnick.
Lunch at the Cap Horn at Easter? BRING IT ON!!!!!!
J x
Hi Ali all the Osmans are thinking of you and we hope to see you when we come to Courcheval on 26th Jan.
Imight need your help as the missus is coming for the first time so youd better warn all the bars to get extra vodka in.
Take care Alan&Di & all the Ossies xxx
Lets shrink that mother. Ali I am doing a daily shrink mate on the tumour - it's taking a hammering believe me.
White out and whinging clients today - you missed nothing, the Mark Cross Inn sounds highly appealing.
Stay strong mate, I'm looking forward to seeing you sometime in the New Year. Oh, and I might just be on the timed Megeve too.
Love Pauly.
Hi Ali
I read this today, hope you don't think its cheesy, I liked it:
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
One day at a time hon'
Love
Rach xx
Alistair,
The four of us (Judith, Lilian, my wife Frances & me Steve) have said a big prayer for you tonight for healing & other good stuff.
Went to Canyon of Verdon yesterday, went to a village with a castle, lake, a plain & snowy peaks. I have never seen this area so beautiful as yesterday, only 2 hours from Cagnes (Nice) & the biggest canyon in europe. They have built viewing places and viewing balconies in really the most shocking viewpoints & the whole place was empty yesterday just for us. The frost at the side of the road twinkled......
Went up to the hills closer to home today also & saw a semifrozen stream with lovely wave shapes carved in the ice & sheep everywhere & a shepherd & a lovely red sunset....
Thinking of you
God bless
Steve
Hi Ali - You may or may not remember me, we were neighbours who in our undies used to play in the paddling pool in Canham Close when we were so much younger! How embarrasing!! Yes we did!
Can't believe how many years have passed since we were playing in Kimpton.
You have not changed at all only got bigger and older and Si is the same too!
Dad sent on an email and told me your news. Gutted to hear this, but I am so sure that you are fighting that bugger and all your family and friends will be your tower of strength and pulling you through this.
Your girlfriend sounds an amazing woman and tower of strength and will be so proud of you. Here's to willing you better so very soon and back onto those ski fields which I bet you are dreaming of...
What an excellent idea the blog is, but god only knows where you get the strength from to type it all up and put the photos on it - it is great - I have no idea how to do it and actually this is my 2nd attempt as my first message went to cyberspace!!
Well matey you are entitled to down days, so do not beat yourself up just keep thinking shrink as all your mates and family are.
I married a kiwi rugby fanatic and live in NZ and love it but of course miss family and friends - no place like home eh?!
Well I am at work while you are snoozing and we are preparing for nye and will have done it before you all in the rest of this mad world! Ha ha! lol:) So here's to you and Jeanette and Mum and Dad and Si and his family and for a good 2008.
Be good, keep fighting and I am thinking Shrink with all your mates.
Much love and thoughts to you all
Debbie Newton (now McIlraith in NZ!) xxx
hi Ali
it was good to read your latest news after a couple of days when i couldn't get to a computer. My heart went out to you when I read your latest entry - the down days will be bad but it is okay to have them. You will beat this Ali - everyone believes that and you just have to keep the faith.
i reckon that tumor must have shrunk a heap already with all the zapping thoughts coming your way. let's kill the bugger!
kate
xx
Dearest Ali
You've got to keep thinking
Every minute that passes
The b@s#/?d is shrinking
I really believe
It's mind over matter
And what the hell if along the way
You get a little bit fatter :)
So stay strong for us Ali
We're here to support you
It's ok to feel down sometimes
Remember we're all here to talk to.
With love, and happy new year
Janey x x x
Hi Ali,
Will be thinking of you and that nasty little tumour as the New Year fast approaches. May it shrink, shrink, shrink!!!
We send our love, positive thoughts and energy to you this New Years Eve and hope that 2008 sees you fully restored to health.
Here's my thought for the day, written some 50 years ago in my autograph book by my father;
It's alright starting at the bottom , unless you are learning to swim!!
I reckon a slow ascent should do it, don't you?
Both Richard and I send our love to you, Jeanette, Mum and Dad, Si, Jo, Charlie and Archie. May you find the strength from all those who love you to carry on the fight!
By the way re the metallic taste in the mouth; try cranberry juice. It worked for me. Can't stand the stuff now but hey, if it works, go for it.
So go Ali and fight the little b******!!!
All our love.
Mr and Mrs H
AKA Mum and Dad Haller xxx
Hi Ali,
Charlie McCulloch here, Warren's niece.
I'm not really too sure what to say, apart from you are a really strong person and seem so determined to fight it..and you have a great bunch of people to help you all the way.
I'ma write you a poem... It might take a while but one will pop up at some point.
Keep fighting ans stay strong.
Lots of love, Charlie xxx
Hi Ali,
Good to speak with you again yesterday. I had a bit of trouble hearing you as I was walking along Bell's Beach with the waves crashing in the background. Get better soon as it would be great to see you and Jeanette in Australia some time in the not to distant future.
Hang in there mate and we'll speak again in a few days.
Take care,
Julian, Brinda and Harry
Hey Ali,
I haven't been on to your blog since you went into hospital (I've not been at work and I don't have internet at home)and it's taken me ages to read all the comments from everyone. I've thought about you every day and I'm so glad that you were home in time for Christmas.
My son (8 years old) told me a joke yesterday. He's really into birds (of the feathered variety)and he got this from one of his magazines:
What did one bird of prey say to the other?
(In the style of Catherine Tate) Am I buzzard?
It made me chuckle, but partly cos I know that in a few years he will be into a different kind of bird and the related magazines/jokes that go along with puberty!
My mum also gave me a quote before I went travelling many years ago:
'Be alert....the world needs all the lerts it can get !'
In Scotland, we don't believe in wishing a Happy New Year until after midnight on the 31st December. So until then Happy Hogmanay and let's all 'Drink to SHRINK' tonight. We should all do it at midnight (ie. at the same time, so allow for the time difference in Europe, etc.), I'll be doing it then.
Meanwhile take care of you and yours.
Lots of love,
Debbie (BASI) x
Hi Ali
You may remeber me as Aunty Jan or even Mrs. Newton as I lived next door in Kimpton and also taught you and Si at school. I was devastated to hear about your illnessfrom Mum. Reading your blog has been fascinating and I feel such admiration for the way you are fighting this vile invader.I love the way you call the machine your friend (I am sure most people fear it) and if there is any fairness in this world then Buzzymachine will do his stuff. Be assured I am willing him to make you well and I shall follow your progress with many warm thoughts and much "Thinkshrinking". As I look at all your lovely pictures
I have been trying to find that 8 year old in your face but you have changed beyond all recognition! I have never been skiing but am told by those who do go that ski instructors are sooooo dishy! Well now having seen you I can believe it!! Jeanette is a lucky girl! Also I must say you are so fortunate to have her by your side along with your family. She sounds a wonderful person and she will see you through this.I shall continue to read your blog with great interest and look forward to seeing pictures of you skiing in the not too distant future. There is a wonderful life out there waiting for you both - reach for it. i read somewhere that in life there are many rocky paths and seemimgly impassible mountains but God gave us sturdy climbing boots to help us on our way. So, Ali, get them on and go!!!
Much love to you and Jeanette
Jan Newton
Ali! My dear friend!
All my words are in the shadow of this story:
Once a man who had lived righteous life passed away and met God. The man's life was not very easy and a few times his belief faced extinction, but somehow he managed to keep on.
So when he saw God he was very thankful but a bit sad.
"What makes you sad?" - asked God.
And the man told him that a few times he felt unbearably alone. He thought God left him.
So God showed him all his life as footprints on the send, and all the way was covered by footprints of two people. "I was close to you every second of your life" - told God. But the man showed him with offence the place where only one man's footprints were on the sand. "You'd left me here" - said the man.
God smiled at him and said: "At this place the footprints were mine only, I was carrying you on my back, you couldn't walk....".
Please, keep on! We are here with you anytime!
Ilia.
A man sat down at his computer and started to type ‘Bonjour everyone!! I didn't ever think I'd be here but none of us do I guess…’ and he starts to tell us what he is feeling and thinking.
And it begins, a slow whisper that spreads quickly around the world – thinkshrink, thinkshrink
Reaching up to the highest Alpine mountain, across the world to the sun drenched beaches of Australia, across the pacific to America, riding the waves of the Atlantic to stretch back across Europe and home to Hertfordshire.
By then the whisper is louder and stronger, a definite chant, a mantra – thinkshrink, thinkshrink. At keyboards around the globe, friends old and new take up the beat, the rhythm of the words sending strength through the electronic ether…
As he sits at his computer the man sees the words we send him and hopefully he knows, if he could look right through the screen he would see us all looking back at him as the beat grows stronger and stronger – thinkshrink, thinkshrink, thinkshrink….a united heartbeat, the living sound of hope.
Happy new year, health and happiness to all.
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