Saturday, 21 June 2008

Saturday Morning

Dear Friends

Our apologies for not keeping you up to date but this has been a very difficult week for us.

Ali’s condition is rapidly deteriorating and on Wednesday a review was held with the whole medical team to consider the next stage. As usual everything was fully explained with the principle being to control pain and agitation caused by the disease and to that end he is now on continuous medication which is keeping him calm and comfortable.

We thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers and ask that you continue to do so please.

With Lots of Love

Team Rainback xx

73 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

You have our prayers and thoughts, but also our love and admiration. I am off to a flower festival at St John's in Harpenden this afternoon and will definitely say a few prayers while I am there.

We remain here, call on us if you need us.

Linz x

J-A said...

Hey Team Rainback,

Don't even worry, you are all always in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for keeping us updated, it's really appreciated, especially when you have so many other priorities.

I think we all just want to let you know that the whole team has our constant love and support - whatever you need, whenever you need it. We're here.

We wish you continued strength to deal with the days ahead, but also know you have it within you already. That much is obvious.

Lots of love

J-A and all of my lot.

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali, Jeanette & the Rainback family.

You are all constantly in our thoughts.
Like all the other bloggers, we send wishes that your ever inspirational strength will help you through each day,

With very much love,
Hugh & Nicki xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear wonderful Team Rainback

Thank you for having the strength to update Ali's blog at such a difficult time. Glad to hear Ali is comfortable and surrounded by love. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.

Love
Miranda & Alan xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,
We are thinking about you constantly and admire all your courage and strength in this difficult situation. We send you all our love and prayers
Love
Tony & Viv xx

Anonymous said...

Team Rainback.

You are always in our thoughts every minute of our waking day. Our love and prayers are with you all at what is probably the most difficult time of your lives. Stay strong and give Ali a big hug from me.

Love Mrs H.

Baloo@HighAsh said...

Dear Team Rainback,
Thank you for keeping us up to date at such a difficult time, you are all very much in our thoughts.
Love Karen, Daff, Jack and Toby xx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

Wishing you lots of strength during this very difficult time. You are always in our thoughts.

Love
Ingrid and Grant

Anonymous said...

Dear team Rainback,
I can't improve on what has already been written, but thank you so much for keeping those of us that can't be with you in touch with what is happenining. You have our prayers, love and endless admiration.
Keep strong,
Love Steve lesley and yogi bearx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,

Please don't ever feel the need to apologise as what you are all going through and the time you have with Ali is far more important than anything else. We all appreciate your updates out here in cyber space and hope you feel that we are there for you, as we are all in this together. Take care and our love and thoughts are with you always,

Russ, Belle, Cara & Ava xxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and team Rainback

It is so comforting to know that Ali is being so well looked after and that he is calm and safe.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Please
give Ali a big hug from all of us.

All our love,

Paul, Amanda, Emma and Georgia
xx

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all - give him a smile from us. Lots of love from Paul G, Kate and George xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear all,

in my thoughts and prayers!

love and best wishes

john murt

p.s. Ali took your advice and went with everton - take care my friend x

Anonymous said...

Dear Di Ian, and all the family - we are thinking of you constantly. We are with Stuart in Ormskirk this weekend and he will include you in his prayers.
Love to all of you - stay strong
Liz and Keith

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,

We are all thinking of you so much and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

God Grant me, the serenity to accept the things
I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Thoughts to you all and hugs and kisses to Ali
Sally and family X

Anonymous said...

Ali and all the Rainbeck family and friends.Prayers are being offered for you all during the Solomn Novena this week at Clonard Monestry in Belfast.

Jim and Betty O' Neill(Deirdre Rowes sister)

katieruthward said...

I'm always trying to find the most appropriate things to say. The most comforting words and the best words of encouragement but I cannot seem to find them .I always intend to write something that I really feel but then I read the messages and prayers and it hardly seems right. You have so many wonderful friends that say so many wonderful things but I'm just very sad. I want you to be well and I want to see your face again and I want you to chase me around and play tricks on me but you're not up to that eh ? I miss you, we all miss you and I'm so very very angry that this should happen to you.. Ali Rainback.I love you and miss you. You take care now,gorgeous. x Katie

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali

We are warming up for the big walk/run this evening to raise lot of money for the Hospice, You all will be in my thoughts, you are a light that burns so brightly in so many hearts, may it light our way and keep us warm tonight.

Sleep tight, dream of 1400 women walking your way just after midnight, you may want to lock your bedroom door, they've seen your pic : )

With love to you all

Ange N Family
xxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Diana and all of Team Rainback

Thank you for keeping us up to date in what has been such a difficult week.

Like Ang above, at midnight I am going to be one of the 1400 woman pounding the streets in pink from Hemel to Berkhamsted and (hopefully) back.

Although this is no marathon, and despite being completely unfit, I am considering this to be a 'Rainback Ramble'! It will be a privilege to take part knowing that every step taken by all of us there is helping to contribute to the target of £150,000 that the Hospice hopes to raise.

HOSF are taking such incredible care of both Ali and you all, from pain free medication, to mighty oak blessings, massages, chaplins bringing IPA and emotional support. It is, I think, no coincidence that you have come together with a hospice team who are as incredible as you all are.

Keep strong - I will be walking with pride thinking about you.

Helen Elliott
xxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainbow

We suspected from your absence that things were getting really tough for you all. You don't have to apologise for not keeping us up to date, you have more than enough on your plate at the moment and Ali's well is the obvious priority.

We are pleased that Ali is calm and comfortable and even though he is sleeping, he will hear you so please tell him that all the Conways are sending all our love and hugs and saying prayers for him. May he have sweet dreams and peace.

We want you to know we are just a call away if you need us but our love is surrounding you at this most difficult time. Ali is in our thoughts and prayers constantly, we are praying for a miracle.

Sleep well Ali and all of team Rainbow.

Please give Ali is very big and special hug from all of us and tell him how special he is to us and always will be.

All our love
The Conways
Chris, David, Stewart, Jo, Freya, Sarah & Daniel xxxxxx

Anonymous said...

You are in our prayers and thoughts constantly.

Love

Chris Sandra Ryan Ashleigh Sebastien and Cameron x

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback
You are in our thoughts every day.
Love,
Derek & Shona

Anonymous said...

I may just pop over to visit later if you have 1400 lycra clad woman calling round. How about 2am?!

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali,
we all miss you and think of you every day.
It is nice to know you have such wonderful people around you who look after you so well.
Never give up
Catherine, G & Benni

J-A said...

Hey Ali,

Thinking of you loads and remembering all the times I've seen you out walking with a four legged friend and I thought your lovely Mum could read you this poem by Edgar Guest

A Boy and His Dog

A boy and his dog make a glorious pair:
No better friendship is found anywhere,
For they talk and they walk and they run and they play,
And they have their deep secrets for many a day;
And that boy has a comrade who thinks and who feels,
Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.

He may go where he will and his dog will be there,
May revel in mud and his dog will not care;
Faithful he'll stay for the slightest command
And bark with delight at the touch of his hand;
Oh, he owns a treasure which nobody steals,
Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.

No other can lure him away from his side;
He's proof against riches and station and pride;
Fine dress does not charm him, and flattery's breath
Is lost on the dog, for he's faithful to death;
He sees the great soul which the body conceals--
Oh, it's great to be young with a dog at your heels!



Ok well I'd better go as I still have two cummerbunds and bow ties to make and I want to finish them tonight.

Diana, Mum and Dad are away from home now, but are staying with my big brother in St Albans from tomorrow until Thursday. Mum is going to ring you but only has Ali's number or your home number so will try those. I have texted Graham's home number to Ali's phone too and please don't hesitate.

Sending you lots of love, AllyBally and to Team R


J-A

Anonymous said...

Ali,

Thank you to the Rainback team for have the energy and strength to up date the blog. There is so much love for Ali as can been seen by this amazing blog. It is lovely to hear that he is being made comfortable and calm at such a difficult time for you all. Keep thinking of you and praying for you all.

Craig xx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,
We have you in our thoughts constantly and send all our love to you all.
When you are kissing and hugging Ali please give him an extra big cuddle from all his bloggers because we would all love to be giving him loads of love ourselves.
Sweet Dreams Ali, you are an incredibly special man to us all,
lots of Love Carolyn, John, Lotti and Matilda

Anonymous said...

Ali
Pink t Shirts and lycra hot pants are on, fairy wings and bars of choc at the ready!! am leaving now so hold on to your duvet as we are all on our way!! : )
U can relax so can Jeanette, we only delivering chocolate and lots of love, never have i known so many girls want to reach Berkhamsted so fast ! im sure when mum tells u , it will make u smile : )
Helen, hope to see u en route, have a fab nite and for a wonderful cause,
with luv to all
Ange n family (Hemel)

Jacqui Edwards said...

Team Rainback

You are in our thoughts and our prayers. Love to you all.

The Edwards Family

Anonymous said...

To Ali and the "team"
With each day you are in our thoughts, and we prey for you to have the strength to carry on.

Be strong young man....

Angus,luciexxx

Anonymous said...

You are all in my prayers and thoughts and have been for some time. I have been keeping in touch with the blog reguarly but never really found the appropriate words to put down. Thanks for keeping it updated.

It is good to hear that you have found such a marvellous place to spend these last few weeks and that Ali is being kept comfortable and pain free.
Keep your strength up in the following days, I shall be thinking of you all.

Sheena (HVSU)

Anonymous said...

Ali,
We're thinking of you every hour of every day. Sending you all our love.
Gareth, Sabina & Dylan Parkinson

Anonymous said...

You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

"Team Rainback" is an inspiration to us all; your strength and love for one another is very special.

Love to Ali and all at "Team Rainback"

The Proudmans
(Neil, Annette, Freya and Dan)

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali,

I'll always remember you as my mate Ali who could light up the room with his infectious laugh. My mate Ali who when we were 17 used to dream about being a ski instructer then had the drive and determination to go and do it. My mate Ali who puts the Rainback in your soil (still can't believe you had the balls to use that phrase to market dung!). My mate Ali who wanted to coach soccer in the summers so went and did it. My mate Ali.

As we've discussed, over the years we've gone in different directions but i cherish the times when we have caught up and i cherish the memories (even if most of them are a bit hazy!). I love you mate.

To the Rainback family and all of those who have been closely helping Ali through this last year. You have been amazing and have obviously provided Ali with all the love he could possibly desire. Ali is lucky to have you all and those of us who haven't been closely involved thankyou for enabling us to keep in touch with Ali and his progress. Thankyou X

rich b

Anonymous said...

hi ali and all of team rainback,
thinking of you and sending you lots of love and hugs from the sunny alps,
you are always in my thoughts,
Katie
xxx

Anonymous said...

Ditto to everything that has been said - you know that you can call at any time for whatever you feel we can do. All our love and prayers, Roger and Carol

Anonymous said...

Hi Ali & Team Rainback,
We may not have always written on the blog but we have always been following it and you have always been in our thoughts. As everyone has said, you all really are an inspiration and you really have changed the way we view own lives. Our Prayers are with you all. Love, Julie & Mark

Anonymous said...

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Mother Teresa

With lots of love to you dear Ali and your wonderful family, thinking of you all.
Sam and Vicky xxx

Anonymous said...

Hey Ali and Team Rainback

Just to let you know you are safe!All lycra women safely counted back in!

Ali it was an incredible evening, made all the more special by the mention of your name by Ros at the start.

Did not see you Ang but felt you in spirit.HOSF are now hoping to raise over £160k, which is a fantastic achievement.All their team worked tirelessly thro the night to encourage us all, something that is a Rainback given.

Lots of sore and chaffed woman out there today beware!!

Thinking of you all

Helen x

J-A said...

Hey Ali,

Hope you slept well and are calm and comfy this morning. It's a beautiful sunny day again here in Colchester - hope you get some rays over in Berko.

Has anyone else noticed how we've had lovely weather while Ali is in this country and France have had their worst summer so far in years? Ali, the sunshine follows you.

Love the chicken photo! Will be pointing Glyn in the direction of the blog again on Monday. He'll love it!

Well done ladies of the night walk. No mean achivement!

Lots of love

J-A

Anonymous said...

Every man carries within himself a world made up of all that he has seen and loved.... and it is to this world that he returns incessantly, though he may pass through, and seem to inhabit, a world quite foreign to it. (De Chateaubriand)

Anonymous said...

Dearest Ali and Team Rainbow

Another sunny day for you and we hope it is a peaceful and happy one.

To all those fabulous women who ran through the night, sincere congratulations to you all. What a wonderful thing to do,an amazing achievement.

So much love surrounds you Ali and your team and we hope you can feel the warmth of it keeping you safe and comfortable. We think about you all the time and are with you in spirit if not in body.

Diana and all of team Rainbow please give Ali all our love and huge hugs. Thank you for keeping the blog going through such difficult times.

All our love as always to you all
The Conways
Chris, David, Stewart, Jo, Freya, Sarah & Daniel xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali

Just wanted to say thanks for being you and for being special.

You have touched our hearts.

Love from us all

Siobhan, Stephen, Hannah, Mimi and Issy xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

Thanks for the latest up date. It good to hear that Ali is comfortable and calm.

We think of you lots and hope that you have a peaceful weekend.

Love the new photo's

Best wishes to you all

Love Clair and Martin

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali,

Thinking of you lots.

Love,
Gillian xx

Anonymous said...

Hello Ali

I am really glad that you are being well looked after.

To Team Rainback - your strength and courage are amazing, we are all thinking of you and Ali at this difficult time. I just wish that there was more that we could do to help. Please give Ali a big hug from me.

All my love
Zoe x

Anonymous said...

Dear Rainbacks

You are all so amazingly strong - thank you for keeping us constantly informed through Ali's amazing Blog

Say Hi to Ali and tell him he is always in our thoughts.

All our Love
Rich T and Andy

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and Team Rainback,

Thank you for keeping us updated at this very difficult time.

Thinking of you all day.

Cooperman

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali, Team Rainback, and Jeanette,

These must be such testing times for you all but I'm just so pleased that Ali's being looked after by such caring staff in the Hospice of St Francis.

Ali, I often think about you and for me you will always have a cheeky grin, sparkling eyes and a few tricks up your sleeve. Jessica and Natalie often ask about you and remember you with such fondness. And who doesn't?

May these be peaceful days for you,

Love,
Paul, Jessica & Natalie

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all and sending all our strength.
Simon, Susie et al
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charles Owen said...

Dear Ali,

I am in North Wales this weekend trying to fix my girlfriends mothers guttering in a serious gale and very wet conditions. The things you do for love!

Glad to hear that you are being cared for really well.

Thanks to team Rainback for keeping us all updated it is really appreciated.

All my love

Charlie Owen

Anonymous said...

Ali Diana Ian Jeanette
Thought of you all last night as I pounded the streets Walking with the Stars for the Hospice. (Cant move today !)
In my speech to the crowd of 1400 women...I mentioned Ali who has inspired us all by his strength, dignity and humour, inspired us all to make sure there are people there to care when you need them.
We were walking for you Ali, a STAR, you will continue to SHINE wherever you are
Ros

Anonymous said...

Ali and team Rainback

When I read the words of all the friends, relatives and carers on your blog I only hope that you can feel the love and support that oozes from everyone who knows you - and that it is of some comfort at this unimaginable time. We know we are helpless to do anything to change the outcome of this journey but want you to know how much we appreciate you letting us be part of it. It must be so hard for you all.

lots of love and constant thoughts

Jemma and Jonathan

Anonymous said...

Hello mate,

Hope you slept well and have been enjoying the Grand Prix with your Dad as usual. I haven't seen it yet, so no telling me the result, as I would have made you proud by getting up early this morning and doing a 40 mile cycle ride from Bristol to Clevedon and back. And I can tell you that I thought of you on every climb (I had a bit of time as it takes me so long) and I swore a bit aswell, but that was because I know all you lot would have pissed it and that made me mad. So only one thing for it more of the same, but only when my jelly legs reset. Seeing your picture of the cow makes me grimace as there were loads on the route and I think they were all having a right good laugh. Take care now and we'll be thinking of you all as usual,

Russ, Belle, Cara & Ava xxxx

Anonymous said...

Team Rainback and Ali

A big hug for you all - your courage at this very difficult time is admirable.

Nicola Hulme x

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and Team Rainback

Thank you for having the strength to let us know how Ali is. You are all in my thoughts all the time.

I send you love and I send you hugs.

Jules A xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

We are with you all the way. May you find strength and courage during this difficult time knowing that you are all in our thoughts and prayers every day.

God Bless
Kate
xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Alistair & Jeanette & team Rainback
thinking & praying for you, very sad & moved by the blog & the responses.

God bless as always
Frances & Steve Cagnes

Anonymous said...

Dearest Ali

Just to say sleep tight with sweet and peaceful dreams. We are all thinking and praying for you.

All our love and hugs
The Conways
Chris, David, Stewart, Jo, Freya, Sarah & Daniel xxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and your lovely family,

Stay strong; our love and support is always with you.

Quote for today:

" As for courage and will, we cannot measure how much of each lies within us,
We can only trust there will be sufficient to carry us through that which may lie ahead."
(Andre Norton)

Much love,
xx

Anonymous said...

Ali and team,
My thoughts are with you all,
Close your eyes Ali cont...

Is life one big chairlift? Is that silly of me?
Its easy to imagine, especially if you ski.
Some of us choose a bumpy ride, some of us live for the day.
Some of its our choice, and the rest is our destiny
For you each pylon, a challenge fulfilled, excitement, pleasure and joy
Each day enjoyed, happy, fun, like a baby with a new toy
Open one eye, peak infront, can you see who’s there?
Family, friends, you ve heard about who have always cared.
Peak behind, familiar faces, some are in the queue
There is love in every breath of air circled all around you.
This world seems a smaller place or that’s what people say
But we re like a tiny snowflake in the alps, before it melts away.
The stars are all around us, it makes us stop and think
I m sure this chairlift, with these stars has a special link
Each of us doesn’t know, when our chair shall calmly stop
Just remember all of us will one day reunite at the very top.

wee friend e x

Anonymous said...

There a whole BASI contingent out here in New Zealand asking after you. Stay strong
Give Ali a big smile from me.

Gordi P
P.s. my girlfriend thinks you are hot in your pics. Keep your hands off!!!!! ha ha

J-A said...

Hey Ali,

Hope you had a happy and peaceful day today and perhaps managed to catch some of the race.

I've just been watching Kinky Boots and it brought back memories of when some friends and I were dancing in pretty kinky boots ON a bar (sorry Mum) in Southampton! I think that could have been the same night we discovered a bar with an actual dentist's chair for doing tequila slammers. I can't remember, but I suspect it was the dentists chair first to give us the courage to do the Kinky Boots! Seems so long ago now but I guess that's part of what life is all about - making memories that make you laugh and cry.

Take care and sleep well, Ali and Team R

Lots of love

J-A

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,

With apologies to James Taylor for adapting his words, but with no apologies to Jane Whitham for getting my guitar out again!! :-)

"You just call out our names
And you know wherever we are
We'll come running to see you again;
Winter, spring, summer or fall,
All you gotta do is call
And we'll be there, yes we will,
You've got hundreds of friends"

With love from Ewan, Claire, Isobel, Bethany and William (who is 11 today!) xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

You are all constantly in our thoughts and thank you so much for keeping this blog. Keep strong, you have so much love and support.

Much Love

Cat, Dave, Hannah and Charlie xxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback

Have courage and take support from the love, thoughts and prayers that surround you at this time. You are in my prayers. Take care.

Stuart

Anonymous said...

Dear Diana, Ian, Simon, Jo, Archie, Charlie & Jeanette

Our most sincere sympathy and prayers are with you at this sad time. Take strength knowing that sweet Ali is no longer in pain you have an enormous amount of love and support flowing your way.

The Conways
Chris, David, Stewart, Jo, Freya, Sarah & Daniel xxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali & Team,

Been thinking about you this weekend,as I am sure many others have. Best wishes and prayers for the coming days. As with everyone else I will keep checking the blog.

Dizz.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts are with you all. Much love Jez, Tracy & Coco xxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Team Rainback,
Ewan's right; you've got hundreds of friends.
I've checked your "view my stats" at the bottom of the page...and you've got THOUSANDS.

I know we're all thinking of all of you constantly and sending all our love,
Keep on keeping on,
love Jane Whitham x

Anonymous said...

Dear Diane, Ian, Jeanette and Team Rainback,

Thoughts with you all. Words cannot express the sadness felt, we are all thinking of you all so much.
Love Sally & family XX

Anonymous said...

Dear Ali and family
Thinking strength and peacefulness and positive thoughts for you...lots of hugs Pip,Gareth and Scruff xxx

Anonymous said...

Dear Rainback Team,

Our most sincere sympathy and prayers at such a sad time. There is an enormous amount of love and support for you all.

Our thoughts are with you all..

Love Craig and Tash Redford xx