Saturday, 9 February 2008

Bonjour Everyone!

It's 5am again and I'm waiting for the sun to come up again. My sleeping is still eratic and I know I'm not too well just by the way I feel. There was a close shave at the Royal Free yesterday! I met a new doctor called Sarah who was really nice but concerned by the numbness in my face. She wanted to bring forward my MRI Scan TO NEXT WEEK. How very dare she?! Think Shrink continues for a couple of months I'm afraid. I could do with your help.

All, ok because she phoned through to my consultant DR Wilson, and she wants to keep the date of my first post radiotherapy something or other , the same. We're all systems go for Monday. Yippee!Oh, by the way, Alison told us yesterday of a Grade 4 Glioma chap that was diagnosexd 4 years ago and is now back again driving. Grade 4 is the most dangrous of them all. Malignant. That was fantastic news for me because I really miss my driving. I really miss it. I'm sorry for being a back seat driver Dad/Jet for the last few months! Doh!

I won't Blog for a couple of days because Jeannette, Phil and I will be busy trying to get home. Now this doesn't mean you shouldn't visist the Blog if you don't mind! I've been checking the counter at the bottom and we've had more than 12,000 individual hits. Si and I, well Si set that up on boxing day. Stay with us please. We're on a journey, together.

I'm really quite excited right now because today I'm meeting the man who really taught me how to ski. More about that next time!!

Love

Ali

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

YYIIPPEE!!!!
je suis enfin la premier a ecrire un commentaire.
j attendais ca depuis tant de jours...
jespere que tout va bien, tu es bientot parmi nous Ali, quelle joie.
encore une tres belle journee sur la planete meribel.
je te fais de gros bisoux
a tres vite
gazelle

Anonymous said...

Yippee...must be one of those international words!!!
so excited to know that we will be seeing you, Jeanette and meeting Phil again in a few days. There is nothing quite like a road trip to get the excitement going. Complete with sweets and lots of coffee stops. Happy travelling.
I think we should all say three cheers for Alison your Doc, she sounds like she knows exactly the right medicine for you and that is this trip to France.
Take care, lots of Love CArolyn.
Today will be fun reminiscing about when your love for skiing started.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali

So pleased you are about to take the best medicine available, a trip to the mountains. We have always thought it is the best medicine hence the reason we still ski as much as is possible despite the old aches and pains creeping up on us. We are concentrating as hard as we can on that shrinking. I believe the weather in the Alps is pretty good so you should have an excellent trip. When reminiscing about your journey into the ski industry and having doubts about it remember the wise words of Stewart telling you "of course you can make a career of teaching skiing".You must remember those fun days with Powder Hound Holidays, all part of the building blocks towards the creation of New Generation Ski School. You deserve to have done so well, you are the most brilliant skier and one of the most wonderful people we have ever had the priviledge to know. Keep fighting Ali we are with you all the way.
Much love
Chris, David, Stewart, Jo, Freya, Sarah & Daniel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali
Just to let you know that we've been thinking about you and "thinking shrink" since my last email at Christmas. Glad to hear that the tough times with the buzy machine are behind you and that you are gradually getting to feel better.

I went over to visit Jon a few weeks ago and have to say that your sofa was the most comfortable that I have ever slept on! The flat is great - convenient, a really good size and what fantastic views. It was very clean and tidy too (why do I sound surprised?!) so Jon is looking after it for you...

We're out to Courchevel again in March with the Hallers and some other friends and are looking forward to seeing you then - back in your natural environment. In the meantime have a good journey down on Monday and I'm sure the mountain air will speed your progress to good health.
Take care of yourself and Jeanette. Love Wendy and Colin x

Anonymous said...

The Journey

The man turns his head and looks at the curtains, there is no light around the sides, no strip of dawn creeping in to the room. In his topsy turvy world his body is awake, while all around him others sleep, preparing for the day.

In his mind he runs through the journey to come, beginning with the man who very first inspired him to ski in a way he always dreamed he could. It is fitting that this meeting takes place at the beginning of his long journey back to the mountains.

He knows there is so much to prepare, how each piece of his life, stowed in cases and boxes, are a way of moving forward. A way of returning to friends who have missed him and the everyday routines, so rudely interrupted, that now wait patiently for him to return.

A faint light heralds the beginning of the new day, a new dawn, the start of the road back to where he truly belongs. He feels a surge of energy flow through him as he swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands up. His heart beats strong and sure, the rhythm within that keeps him moving onward, think shrink, think shrink, he picks up the road map and starts to plan the journey…….

Anonymous said...

Ali
I only heard about your plight 2 weeks ago when I bumped into Roy in Les Menuires (tell him to ski with his eyes open!). And discovered your blog thanks to Zoe ...

Thinking of you lots and adding my "think shrink" thoughts to the growing wave coming your way.

Have a brilliant time in France and keep on resting.

With love
Gill Niblock x

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali,
I haven't read your blog for a while - sorry! But my thoughts are never far away from you & thinking shrink!
So excited about seeing you back out in the mountains (where you belong) and to hear all about your wedding plans - how exciting!
And even better to hear stories like the guy with the grade 4 tumour and that he is driving again. I bet Jeanette is looking forward to seeing you driving again, it'll stop that back seat ear ache you are giving her (teehee)
The slopes are beginning to get busier here and everyone is ready for the mania to begin.
See you soon, travel safely :-)
Love, Nix xxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali

Looking forward to seeing you back here next week. Everyone in the office here in Le Praz have been manically cleaning because of your imminent arrival, oh and your OCD!! I keep moving things on your desk so they don't line up properly...coasters and magazines...oh the good old days eh!

Well, its that scary week of the season coming up when the slopes are full of tiny little people hurtling in a straight line...NO WAY am I going anywhere near the piste for the next 2 weeks.

Just to say, have a SAFE journey, all take good care of yourselves on the way and see you next week. can't wait!!

Lots of love

Rach

xx

Anonymous said...

Happy travels Ali, that's so great they gave you the go ahead to come back, we can't wait to have you back, the sun is shining in your honour! According to Mr snowforecast.com, Tuesday promises to be BIG SUNS all day...come to mention it so is Weds, Thurs....
So the sun will be out to welcome you back! Yey! Gone are the days staring out of a rainy window!
See you soon, Janey x x x x

Anonymous said...

Ali. Along with SHRINK,am thinking THRIVING and DRIVING. Awrabest!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali

This February sunshine is so healing. It keeps us going when times are rough. Wishing you all the blue skies and sunshine in the world.

LOL
Miranda & Alan xxx

Anonymous said...

Ali Just keep Think Shrink all the best from the poeple at Winter Park this year.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali

Just wanted to wish you all the best on your trip home. It will be so good for you to be back in the Alps with all your friends and New Gen folks. Enjoy the mountain sunshine and the cosy fires at night. Keep resting and getting well. Oh - and don't forget to keep blogging to keep all of us back here in touch with how you are doing. You continue to be an inspiration to us all and we are with you in spirit every day.

Much love

Siobhan,Steve and the gang xxxxx

Anonymous said...

God bless Alistair & Jeanette......

The best is yet to come.....

Steve - Cagnes

J-A said...

Hey Ali,

Just wanted to wish you a safe trip back to France. Take it easy and enjoy being back home.

Wishing you all the best and still thinking Shrink.

Lots of love

Jane-Anne

Anonymous said...

Allez Courage!!
Have a safe trip to France and enjoy the change of scenery.
Thinking shrinking in Flamstead
Tim P

Anonymous said...

Duuuuuuuuuuuude!!!
Just got back from a week's holiday in Sydney. Hong Kong's miserable and cold.
Am chuffed for you going on your trip to France YIPPPEEEEEEE!!!
Just got your text about being on the ferry.. i was in a meeting about boring stuff.. made me smile
have fun!

rich

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali,

Hope you have a fab trip back to the mountains. Still thinking Shrink for you so hope it's making a difference! Don't think too much about all us pen-pushers back here in the UK! Looking ahead, we'd really like to come to your surfing do at Croyde in the Summer. Keep blogging - I read it every day and am following your journey through all the ups and downs, twists and turns. Keep strong - life is a rollercoaster as the song says - make sure you hold up your hands and scream for the good bits!

Love
Sheila (ex Salomon) Standen

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali,
Its Jason here (ex of Lisa Gardners). We met a few times in courchevel...
Anyway, just wanted to say keep up all that good fighting that you've been doing. I know I dont know you all that well, but I'm backing you to knock off that illness. Take care & good thoughts.
Jase

Anonymous said...

Pants! i missed you by one day, i'm back doing a gay course at college then heading to the boat, have a good time mate, it'll do you the world of good(even if it is half term). Try and make it down for the grand prix weekend at the end of the season, i'll take you out on the boat credit card! seeya

martin

Ewan said...

Hi Ali

Just to let you know, in my pleasant Italian wine-induced haze on our 19th wedding anniversary (weren't you there with the rest of them, catering with Pauline!!??), that the whole Murray Clan is 'thinking shrink'!!

Cheers, my boy - all power to you and to Jet!

Love & things

Ewan

Clare said...

wishing you god speed on your journey back to the alps - which are etched on your heart!
Look forward to hearing how little rain there is (!!) and am sure that the next generation office boys will be only too happy to stop for a yarn when you visit.

Love to you and Jet

Clare, Paul, Amy and Ben x

Anonymous said...

Hey there Ali,

I am very happy for you and you have many reasons to be happy. You are off back to Frog for some mental medicine (not the morphine!) and by your side is a loving and incredibly strong woman. I would imagine the Rainback households are just about to have a doubling of their phone bills!
Just got back from a weekend in Rome watching the rugby (My head hurts!) Going back down for the Italy Scotland game on the 15th March. After that and inbetween work, I may find time to come up and see you, we will see.
Anyway Mate, thinking shrinking as always.
Big Love,
Dicky Marshall

Anonymous said...

Hello mate,
Great news that the doc gave you the thumbs up to travel, have a safe trip and we will look forward to catching up with you in a couple of weeks.
Russ, Belle & Cara xxx

Baloo@HighAsh said...

Hi Ali, Hope you had a smooth journey back to the alps and that you enjoy catching up with your huge gang of friends out there. Have a restful time.
Thinking shrinking as always.
Love Karen,Daff,Jack and Toby