Thursday, 24 January 2008

Bonjour everyone!

We're so excited! I feel fine today and not too tired. I think it's a mental thing as well because I've made a conscious effort today to get up and do things. I've made the tea a couple of times and I made dinner. It's nearly 5pm and I've not been for a sleep yet. Don't worry anyone, the moment I feel tired I have no choice - bed. It's weird, my body just sort of gives in and Says 'Whoa down there Ali Bedtime!'

We've got this far and I feel that with everyone collective help we've overcome the radiotherapy and pretty much beaten it. I'm probably speaking too soon as it will come back and whack me when it wants. I suppose it was always there to help me but oh my, it takes it out of you!

Jeanette and I are now coming to terms with the future. We went for a lovely walk today and talked things through. It was tough actually because we're no nearer to knowing about our future. I know that no-one knows what the future holds but at least everyone else has it roughly planned out. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that we need a bit of time and a lot more walks to fathom this one. I don't know where I'll be in the next few years which obviously affects Jeanette, Cor, now that's a tough one. We'll battle through but in fact today was harder than we thought it was going to be.
Never mind, we'll fight the good fight.
Love
Ali

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

well done Ali on completing your treatment. no more zapping or space invaders. Hurrah.

in terms of the future, i imagine it must be very hard to plan but i hope for you and for jet that it will be very long and deliciously happy. you so both deserve it.

love fay

ps. if you do find a crystal ball rolling around please can you throw it my way as i have a few questions myself!!! x

Anonymous said...

Had a great day in Italy and thought about you both lots. No one knows what tomorrow brings and what lies ahead of us. Thats why it is so important to make EVERY day important.

love Deirdre xxx

Neil P said...

hi ali. Its been a while! We were having a drink in St Albans recently when a guy walked into the bar and I said to Em 'what do you reckon Richard Marshall looks like 20 yrs on!' sure enuff we started chatting and he told us about your illness. Have just discovered your blog which makes amazing reading. I shall now THINK SHRINK whenever I look at the photo on our wall of me,my brother Ian, you and Matt Bennett with yr faces painted with George crosses up the 'Shoes for Italia 90!
Wishing you all the best for the future and hopefully we can all meet up soon, We're only in Codicote!
love Neil and Emma (Perryment)(& kids Rebecca and Daniel)
ps dont worry about the hairloss. It comes to us all eventually eh Si! Doh

Anonymous said...

It is so good that you have finally finished, you are now out of the tunnel and looking ahead to your future with your lovely lady!
You just never know what is going to happen in life, I think that you just need to take it one step at a time, enjoy every minute and hope for the best.
You are an inspiration to everyone out there, your courage, spirt and positiveness has helped you through this, you can only now stay positive for the results, as letting negative thoughts in there is a big no no!!!!! I am a real believer that begin positive wins half the battle.
Now it is time to rest and let you body heal, it needs it.

Reading your blog has become part of my daily routine, your good humour and the Ali we know is still there, don't lose him.

I hope that all goes well and that we can see you once you are back out in France, also meet your lovely lady as we still haven't managed too.

Take care and keep the blogging up, I will miss it if you don't!!

Lots of Love,
Sally & Mo

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali
Whoopeeeeeee all done!! Well done you. I'm wondering if, just as food continues to cook once it exits the microwave, the shrinking will continue even though the zapping had stopped....? Reckon it's good logic. Can't wait to see you back over here, have a good rest, look after each other (you and J) and I'll be cooking you a little homecoming tea before you can say which way's Meribel!? lots love Janey x x x x

Anonymous said...

Dear Alistair,
pleased & relieved for you that this vile treatment is over......You had a Glioma and then got promoted to a Astrocytoma??! Life is hard here... trying to get a job... stresses at home etc etc Treatment make me irritable & hurts sciatica in the ankle.... I need to keep on keeping on and try to trust that if I trust God all will be well....messy as my life still is...If I have any hope....
it is in Him, His goodness, His Love Plenty of that good stuff to you, Jeanette, and all the Rainbacks

Steve...still on the road - Cagnes

Lesley & Ray said...

Hi Ali,

Fantastic - treatment's over! We're sure THINK SHRINK will have done the job so now you and Jeanette will have time to plan for the future. Easier said than done but, one day at a time - take it easy and stay positive.

Oh, and after all this, be careful not to step out in front of any buses...!

We look forward to the continuing adventures of Ali R. on the blog -

lots of love and good wishes,

L & R

Anonymous said...

bonsoir Ali,

je suis si ravie de savoir que ton traitement est enfin termine.
c est vrai qu on ne sait pas de quoi l'avenir sera fait, mais il faut vivre chaque instant comme quelque chose de magique, like someone said to me today: " there is only one 24th of january 2008 and only one 25th of january 2008 and etc..and etc...so the best words are "carpe diem" mais je suis sure que tout ira tres bien et que ce traitement ne sera qu un mauvais souvenir tres bientot.
je te fais de grosses bises a partager avec toute ta famille et Janette que je n ai pas encore eu le plaisir de rencontrer.
a bientot parmi nous et mange pas tous les bonbons d un seul coup.
bizzzzzzzzz
gaelle

Son said...

Congrats for getting this far, must be a relief not to have to hit the Finchley Road

no-one knows what's in store or how long we've got. I think we have to make plans for as far away as we dare but live life like each day's a bonus. I forget that sometimes but we all should take life this way I think.

Huge kiss and keep sleeping!

sx

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and Jeanette,
Don´t rush things. Keep up all the lovely romantic walks and special times together as things all of sudden will become clear and decisions will seem obvious and simple.
Live strong,
Love CArolyn.

Anonymous said...

Ali,

Just a note to say that we're all thinking and praying of you. Congratulations of getting through the treatment!! Hope you get those long walks and good chats in...

Love
Sarah and the Oak Hall BASI guys (Jono, Helen, Rachel, Emily, Mike and John.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali and Jeanette
I read a saying once that I never forgot

Life Is What Happens To You While You are Planning Your Future

I guess its true, your lives are so much more raw at the moment, but it might be one of us bods that are reading your blog and thinking so much for you that actually gets run down tommorrow.

Well lets hope that none of us have to go yet! As you guys so deserve a lovely future together.....keep positive, a day at a time, things will become more sure

Treacle xxxx

Anonymous said...

After the daily grind of appointments, treatment and travel of course you now find yourselves with some spare capacity to turn your minds to the bigger picture. But as so many people on the blog today have said, none of us know where life's twists will take us in the next few years. Recently though I was given an idea to think about and to help me focus so I'll share it here...

...if any one of us was told right now that we only had one week left, what would we do? Where would we be for that week and who with? The answer tends to come quickly and instinctively. And there lies a potential answer for what your picture of happiness looks like. Then you just need the courage to hold on to that picture and to make it happen. Easily said I know, but one thing we do all know is that you have bags of courage Ali.

Don't forget to put the compass in your pocket next time you both go for a walk. Sounds like you forgot it last time, you silly things.

Michelle x

Unknown said...

Hi Ali,
Congratulations!!! Zapping completed! I'm still Thinking Shrink though don't worry!
You guys are being so strong, you are an inspiration.
Big Kisses
Patricia

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali
A test of the old memory cells here going back to the good old Kimpton days. This is Nancy formerly of Dacre Crescent, mother of Dee & Jo, wishing you all the best. The radiotherapy has finished, well done, you were great, so strong & positive.Keep it up.Thinking of you. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Ali
Congratulations, through the treatments that's great news. If the strength you have shown over your blog is anything to go by I am sure you will have this thing licked.
I guess after the routine and focus of the treatments you must be going through all sorts of emotions but i'm sure you and Jeannette will work out a way forward.
So much to look forward to enjoy feeling stronger, regaining your fitness (and figure), getting back to france or where ever your life takes you and keep up the blog totally amazing.
Cheers
Rob

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali, One hurdle over....I cannot contemplate what is going through both of your minds, I am not sure if anyone saw the Channel Four piece last night called, 'A boy called Alex' so humbling and just makes you think about all the small, essential and lovely things that are in your life.....you are an inspiration and your charachter one that so many of us find just to enjoyable to know....anyway, I found this little saying and wanted to pop in down. HOpe to see you soon in sunny Herts. Well done, keep all those positive thoughts ...we are all there with you as best we can...Love Sally X

The Grand Essentials for Happiness are:
Something to do
something to love
and something to hope for....

Jonno said...

Nice to know one of the boys from Uni (Not to mention a Gooner) can still write so well without copying!!

Will catch up more but glad (although not surprised knowing you) to hear you are taking the fight to them! Think our noisey mate in Auz aint the only inspiration these days!!

Loads of love

OOHH vonkie vonkie!!

jonno x

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Dear Ali

is life not just the strangest thing... It was only a few days ago I was thinking about you, funnily enough when Spurs gave you boys a bit of a licking, and I was wondering what the crazy fool with the Renault 5 was up too. I wont bore you with all the details as you know a few years back that I was going through a bit of a tough time as well and it was friends like you and my rather sober trip to Courcheval that helped me turn the corner and start thinking positivly. Well its nearly 12 years for me now and I am sort of used to the lights being out and I am sure in your own special way that you will deal with all that life has to throw at you and come out the other end smelling like Roses. I dont know why you make so much fuss about your lack ofhair? You never had any in the first place, and I will just leave you with one small story. Remember when i came to Courcheval and you thought the best thing for me would be to use the radio headsets for guidance. I remember heading gracefully down the run doing big sweeping turns and thinking to myself Ali has said nothing for a while i must be doing good. I continued my wide sweeping turns for a few more seconds then stopped as I heard a blood curdling shreek from up the mountain. that will teach you to stop and chat up a good looking ski instructor whilst your charge was rampaging like a bull in a china shop out of radio range. Anyway mate take care and shrink it is all the way. would love to chat so shoot me a number and I will give you a bell.

Take care mate and be strong.

Lots of love

Your almost college Dad

Mish xx

PS thanks for choosing a blog with audible verification as well :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali

Well done! We're so inspired - please keep on blogging.

Probably weird for a while after all that routine. Keep on walking though - great for making things clearer.

Given we're posting this on Burn's Night, couldn't resist a verse:

"And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne"

In case you think that looks dodgy, here's some of the meaning:
Fiere = friend
guid-willie waught = drink
auld lang syne = old time's sake

Next time we're all in Herts?

Love
Miranda & Alan xxx