Bonjour everyone!
Linz thank you so much for writing those lovely words. It's almost true to believe but also saved me from writing yesterday so double thanks.
Sorry about last night, I was exhausted. That's what's I'm going to call it now. Tired doesn't seem to merit how I feel at the moment because I could hardly get up the stairs. I slept from 8pm until 8am, still the dry mouth but less sweating. Can't make head nor tail of that but I'm coming down on the steroids so it might make a difference. I'm now on 10 milligrammes of Dexamethasone and no headache which is awesome. This means that we're still going for 10th March off them. then fitness kicks in and no double chin, hamster cheeks, tummy etc. I guess that you gather it means a lot to me?!
I had a thought at the hospital yesterday. I looked around and yes, I'm the youngest by far in the waiting room but I imagined children waiting there and going for treatment (they go to a different hospital) and I think I prefer it the way it is. For the oldies I guess I have done my best to cheer some of them up. I'm going to miss them.
2 treatments to go and to be honest my mask wouldn't last another week because my face is so chubby! It's really tight now, almost too tight. If I was having a few weeks more of treatment I would have to have a new one!
My good friends from BASI (British Association of SnowSports Instructors) came over to Costa to say hello. Sean, Dave, PK and Roz. Thanks for coming it was lovely to see you (particularly in better form than last time Sean!) Thanks.
So, two treatments to go. Thank you so much for the support in counting down. It hasn't been hard, it really has not been a problem. Yes, I've lost a bit of hair, my skin is a bit sore and red, I'm full of radiation, tired, exhausted even, I'm tired of the Finchley Road, the A1, the queue at Costa Coffee in the hospital but at the end of the day MASSIVE thanks go to everyone that has been taking me up and supporting me. They are the ones that had to REALLY put up with the traffic. I just slept!
Mum and Dad, Phillip, Julia, Fat Nick, Paul, Lucinda, Si and of course Jeanette. I always think it's dangerous putting up names because with my brain, in the state it is, will probably have forgotten some key people! If I have I'm sorry and I hope you'll forgive me. Tomorrow It's just me and Jet and then off we go
So, what next? Well, today we see Dr Wilson and with some luck she will give us some dates in the next 2 months to come back and check out that THINK SHRINK has been working. I hope to be able to go to France as soon as I'm ready to recover. Don't worry, the blog will be here everyday for the forseeable future - I'm going to blog piccies of my escape home and the reduction of my hampster cheeks. Stay with me won't you? I still need you to THINK SRINK for the next 2 months!
2 to go.
Love
Ali
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34 comments:
Hi Ali,
Great message, please keep us posted with news from the Doc & the shrinking!
I can't believe you've nearly finished- yippee! Jeanette is bringing you some pressies from Meribel to help you celebrate the end of the mask & to keep you going over the next couple of weeks before you come back to France.
2 to go hurray...we're cheering for team Rainback! Nix x
Ali
That's brilliant only two more sessions left to shrink away anything that's left, can't be much after all that treatment and so many people thinking shrink for you. Your friend Linz's description of coming out of the tunnel, was great, thought it was very apt, your brother is right about her literary talents she will be accepting the Booker prize any day soon. Well all the best for the final two what a great thought. Thinking shrink.
Rob
Alistair, thinking of you & enjoying your blog & the good news of finishing treatments.....
Prayers from cagnes sur mer
God bless... Steve
Hey dude, really glad you can come on Saturday to watch me play. Spoke to Lucinda last night and she is fine to bring you across if that is cool. I think are kick off is 14:30 and so you guys can rock up any time after that....
Will give you a tinkle on Friday to check all is still cool.
Love Jumbo
P.S. I dont expect any heckling or abuse from the sidelines!
Hi Ali,
Just been speaking with the New Gen crew from Meribel last year and James gave us the link to your blog.
We all agree that we had an amazing time in France last year and many of the crew have been inspired to take their skiing carrers to the next level and thats thanks to you and the New Gen crew:)
My thoughts are with you and your family. I am thinking shrinking!
Carly (Chalet Host Meribel 2007)
Hello mate, by the time you get this it will be only 1 to go! So lets bring it on and hit out for a home run. Good luck tomorrow, thinking shrink always.
Russ, Belle & Cara xxx
29 down, only 1 to go... Just think how far you've come. Take it easy for the next couple of weeks and then I look forward to seeing you out here soon. Simone xx
Hi Ali,
Just found out what you have been going through from James (as Carly said) and we are now also thinking "Shrink!"..
You are an inspiration to us all, with your great sense of humour, enthusiasm, patience and kindness- and that's just when dealing with muppets on skis like me! The new gen gap course was a fantasic experience, but one of my favourite memories was trying to teach the whippersnappers with you and James- or rather, you trying to teach the whippersnappers, me and James and somehow getting us all up and down the mountain intact! No days skiing had ever left me quite so knackered..
Good luck with the rest of the radiotherapy, hang on in there.. our thoughts are with you.
love from Nathalie xx (ex New Gen Surf Team, nearly graduate of Meribel gap '07 and the new Mrs Theyers)
Hey Ali,
Can't wait to have you back over here! We'll take you for a bit of raclette action that should keep the hamster cheeks in check :) Perhaps once you're out here we should be referring to them as marmot cheeks? Hahahaha!
Good luck with the last two .. they'll be done in the blink of an eye. big hug x x
bonsoir ali,
je pense que quand tu lira ce message, il ne te restera plus qu une journée de traitement, peut etre meme terminé.
je me rejoui de savoir que tu arrives enfin au bout du tunnel et je n ai aucun doute a propos de continuer a t envoyer nos message de soutien et de nos nouvelles tres frequemment.
j ai decide depuis quelque jours de t envoyer que des messages en francais, comme ca ton cerveau continue a fonctionner dans la langue que tu vas bientot utiliser tous les jours.
tu comprends tout ce 'charabia'???
enfin, bref, tout ca pour te dire que tes amis seront toujours la pour toi et que c est bien sur eux et la famille que l on peut compter quand on a des soucis...
il me tarde vraiment de pouvoir passer une soiree tous ensemble, mais il faut quand meme rester prudent et sage.
repose toi bien et reviens en pleine forme tres vite.
je t embrasse ansi que jeanette.
a bientot
gaelle
ps, le paquet c'etait celui de noel mais tant pis, ca fera aussi l affaire pour celebrer la fin du traitement.
tu pourra partager avec tout le monde.
et au fait, j adore la photo de Roy, elle est trop drole.
grosses bises
Go Ali, go!! Good luck tomorrow. Shrink, shrink. See you soon mate. Woz & Vic
Hello there Ali,
In a few hours the counting down will be over. The next two months is for relaxing, sleeping, healing and enjoying time with family and friends. Live strong and see you soon.
Love CArolyn, John Lotti and Matilda.
Jeanette sorry I didn´t see you before you left but soon you both with be back on French soil.
Hey Ali it Richard Knapp not ur mum this time as u called me every time i rang over the summer! Glad to hear everything is going well. I'm having a great time on the ISIA course thanks to you! Hopefully c you out here by the end of the season otherwise deff will make the long trip to sunny kimpton from whitwell when i get home to (hopefully) celebrate Passing some ISIA exams!
Richard x
COME ON ALI.... so close now and then so much to look forward to.. Cant wait to hear the good news post scan in two months time.. Thinking shrinking for the final session before you're return to freedom
xxxx
Hi Ali, Well today is the big day, well done for getting so far and keeping so positive, you are coming out of that tunnel and now its time to rest!
When you are back in France there is a table waiting with a big steak full of good things to build you strength!
Looking forward to hearing that you are rested enough to be back out here with Jeanette.
Treacle
Hi Ali,
Good luck today and I'm so proud of how you have handled this whole experience, not really one of the things you plan for but you really have tackled it head on. That's my bro. Looking forward to celebrating with you tonight.
Lots of Love Si
Hi Ali
Good luck today, last one hon', fantastic! All your friends from all around the world will be Thinking Shrink today for you!
Lots of love
Rach
xx
Nearly There Ali, I'm thinking shrink all the time. Remember the warm summer and our trip to Farnborough! See you soon,
Andy Lowi
Hi Ali,
Just wanted to wish you all the best for the last buzzzz.
I look forward to catching up with you when you're back in France.
Oh, and something to make you smile:
after 13 years of snowboarding - I've spent more time this season on my skis!!
Love,
Gillian X
Hey Ali
Big kisses from Charlie and Archie for your last session with the buzzy machine.
Make sure you bring that mask home with you!!
Enjoy snuggling up with jeanette this evening in the Bungy!
all our love Jo xx
Good Luck Ali
Nearly there - hope we can get to see you ad some point when we are in Vallandry in March - Have to see how things go.
Will keep in touch through this.
Rich T
Ali
What were your thoughts today, as you lay masked in the Buzzy Machine for the very last time?
Did those big guns finally go off and blast Mr T forever?
Was the last lonely Space Invader blown to smithereens?
‘ThinkShrink’ has REALLY worked for you today……
And now it is time to rest and ‘KeepShrunk’
Thinking of you.
Love Lysandra & Jeremy
Ali,
As you are lying in bed snoring and exhausted, sleeping off your 30th and final zapping, I thought I'd write a few words to say how very proud I am of you. You have been amazing throughout all of this. From cheering up your room-mates in hospital, to soldiering through the brain surgery, to being brave when the diagnosis came, to fighting through the radiotherapy. And ALWAYS remaining the good natured, funny and caring guy whom we all love. I join the others by saying that you truely are an inspiration.
Rest well now my love, as you thoroughly deserve it.
And thank you all of you "think shrinkers" out there for your support. This blog and all your messages of support have kept me going too!
Love, Jeanette xx
Well Ali you got through all 30, that is some achievement in itself! You have been an absolute star. Not only have you coped with all you have had to deal with, you have risen to the challenges this has thrown at you and inspired literally thousands of people in the process. You're my hero.
Deb (BASI) x
How Man Ali.
Well done mate on getting to the end of the zapping. I guess its like the 1st hill-climb on a stage of the tour you've hauled your guts out to get over. Time to suck it in, scoff one of them jel things and regroup for the road ahead. I am immensely proud of you and everyone supporting you whether close by or via blog. I am amazed by the collective power one can sense when following the daily reports and comments. See you soon Ali.
Well done, Ali. I tried to post this a few minutes ago but it got lost in the ether somewhere. Just wanted to echo what everyone has said - you have totally inspired me to look at life in a whole new way. You have been and continue to be amazing.
Lots of love to you all - always in our prayers.
Jane-Anne & family
P.s The best thing that happened to me today was checking the blog for the umpteenth time and finally seeing Jeanette's post that you were finished with the zapping. Don't do anything weird with that mask!
what happened, 5 - 1 result how did it feel?!
2 to go, how amazing. well done and keep fighting
sx
Hi Ali,
have been keeping up to date with your progress and so very pleased to hear that there is only one treatment left. Hurrah! All this 'Think shrink' is working although I suspect some peoples thoughts have gone astray in cyberspace as last week my car definately shrank when it aquaplaned into the car in front!! All is well though but a very poorly car that is now destined for the knackers yard!!
(So, people, make sure those positive thoughts are directed towards Ali from now on!)
Have been thinking about our trip to Courcheval in March and hope that you and Jeanette will be able to join us at La Yacca on March 12th. Mr H says only one meal though!!
Take care Ali, spend the next few weeks regaining your svelte like figure and regaining your strength.
take care.
Love Bridget.xx (AKA Mum Haller)
Hey Ali, Glad to see everything is going well! I've had two sessions with Gherardo here in Verbier so far and he is awesome! He's taught some new short turns and I'm loving them! Don't worry about the hampster cheeks, I'm sure they'll be off as quick as they came along with your fitness coming back!
Looking forward to catching up sometime,
stay strong because everyones out here thinking of you!
Sam Pickup
You have done it - yeeeehaaa! Well done Ali and I agree with all the comments - you are a true inspiration.
lots of love and good, shrinking thoughts.
kate c
x
Congratulations Alistair!!!!
Well done for seeing the course through.....Peace Love Healing wisdom and all good things to you Jeanette & all the Rainback Clan
Steve - Cagnes sur Mer
ali mate glad to see the sessions have finished!!! was in verbier last week and saw your boys working hard on their skiing everyday with G putting them thru their paces... Reminds me of the 1650 days with ruthie josh matt and andy...!! You and the boys did so much for us back then, so i'm looking forward to returning the favour and dragging you around the Lac to get you in shape for the Time Megeve in June!!! The countdown to that starts tomorrow big man!! Look after yerself, speak soon. dougs
Ali
Well done Ali you've made it - I hope you could hear all of the calls of "Think Shrink" that were being said at lunchtime today- and what a star you have been throughout it all -never cross or moaning you just accepted your treatment and have been such an inspiration to us all - now have a really, really good rest and we can all look forward to you healing and getting stronger again day by day and meeting up in France in April - remember Easter Sunday lunch in Cap Horn with the gang on me!!!
loads of love
julia, jumbo, luce and hugo
xxx
Hi Ali
David and I just wanted you to know how much we are thinking about you. We only found out this week that you have been having such a rough time. It was such a shock to us. How could our bright cheerful Ali come down with something like this. You are the fit one, living life to the full, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful mountains - we are sure with your fighting spirit you will soon be back in those beautiful mountains. We are out in Val D'Isere in April with the Daily Mail Ski Magazine, New Gen are providing their usual support one day of the week and we are hoping very much that we will see you then. That drink with you in Val D'Isere last time was great and we want to do that again this year. See you in April! Keep smiling Ali, we are with you all the way.
Much Love
Chris, David, Sarah, Dan, Stewart, Jo and Freya xxxx
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