I'm really touched that so many people have emailed me to say that they would like access to this very amateur site.
Mike hasn't felt too good over the last few days. He is sleeping a lot at the moment, sometimes up to seventeen hours a day. Nurses have changed his sleeping tablets and told me that I need to get him into a routine like a baby. (considering it took me six years to get Cameron to sleep through the night I am not very hopeful).
He wasn't well enough to go to Day Hospice this week and added to the fact that it was snowing it probably wouldn't have been a very good idea to part him from his duvet.
I will update the site whenever there is any news. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone in my thankyou's and that nothing on this site offends anyone. If you have any comments or anything that you would like on here please let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
Thursday 25 January 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thankyou
My first thank you must go to Mike, not only my husband but my very best friend. He has always been there for me and now I am doing all I can to be there for him. Unfortunately, nothing can prepare you for the devastating news that we received last June, and no text book can tell you how to behave and how to deal with it.
Mike has been so brave throughout all of this, we have laughed together and cried together, but Mike has found the strength to help me to continue to plan a future for me, the kids and the business. He really is a very special person.
The Kids
I don't know where I would be without Hannah and Cameron (though probably a little less grey). I need them to know that I really love them and appreciate them, even if sometimes because of the situation here stress gets the better of me and I snap.
The memory of the day that we told them that Mike's illness is terminal will haunt me forever. I felt so helpless, it is the first time that a kiss, a hug (or money) couldn't make the news any better for them. Mike insisted that he was the one to tell them, I can't imagine how hard it was for him, I think he's amazing and although it's hard to think of it now I think the kids will respect him for it too. Love you both x x
Jean & Eddie
I need to do a big thank you to Jean and Eddie (Mike's mum and dad). They arrived the morning that Mike was first admitted to hospital and stayed for fourteen weeks. They have been a tremendous support throughout all of this. Obviously they are grieving too, but the support that they have given to Mike, me and the kids has been fantastic.
They have helped both emotionally and practically, without them I do not know what we would have done - All the shopping, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning and dog walking was done by them. Jean is the only person that has just hugged me and allowed me to cry until I have no more tears left. Eddie did loads of DIY jobs that Mike had planned for years (Mike has always liked the power tools and planning projects but not been very keen to do them). Between them everything was cleaned, painted, cleaned again and made sterile for Mike to have the very best chance of not getting any infections throughout his chemo.
I also thank them for appreciating that when things had settled slightly and I had the business organised they allowed us the time to get back to "normal" family life.
Family
Everyone has been brilliant, I worry that if I start naming people I might forget someone, but I will attempt to without sounding like I have won an Oscar or something.
Gill (Mike's sister) has been great - phones, texts and visits regularly (always good on a Saturday night when a visit from Gill and Pete includes a KFC). She sends good humoured cards regularly which always manage to make us smile.
Karen (Mike's sister) phones and visits regularly, her extensive medical knowledge has helped enormously by helping us to ask "the right questions". Karen did food shopping for us when all we had in the fridge was garlic bread and jam (not a nice combination).
Nicky and Adam (our niece and nephew) have helped us by just being themselves. They text and email the kids and visit whenever they can. They manage to make life seem normal. Nicky continues to call Mike by her pet name Uncle Tosspot which always lightens the mood.
More Family
My dad has always been at the end of the phone for me, I know that if I needed him he would get in the car and be here. I don't speak to my brother Mark as much as I should, for some reason when I come off the phone from a conversation with him I get really upset.
Our aunties, uncles and cousins have been great too. A special thanks to Chris and Wendy who send cards at regular intervals to let us know that they are still thinking about us - this means a lot.
Newport News
I don't know how to thank Marie, Ingrid, Judy (& David) and Mel enough. Without them at times there wouldn't have been any Newport News.
Everyone has changed their hours, extended their hours, changed their jobs to make sure that 900 customers get their papers every day, seven days a week. They have not only worked incredibly hard they have always been sensitive to the situation. Thank you all so much.
Not forgetting the delivery boys & girls who 99% of the time have been fab too.
Our customers have been really thoughtful too. In the first month of Mike's illness he received over 100 cards. Many customers ask for updates on Mike's progress on a regular basis. Newport is a place where news travels fast so most people know what is going on quite quickly.
Highfield
Thanks to all Mike's old colleagues from Highfield. Emma has been great, phones and visits regularly and helps keep Mike up to speed with any gossip he needs to know about. Cam, Steph, Matt and Sally have all visited too and brought with them their share of "important information" for him, not forgetting the fact that Sally ran a half marathon and raised funds for Willen Hospice - I really appreciate this as you will see below they have been a tremendous support to all four of us. Sherilyn has phoned regularly and visited - Mike was really disappointed that he was not well enough to make it to her wedding at Christmas. Sadly, Sherilyn is now ill too and our love and thoughts go to her, Mike and the girls.
I hope I haven't forgotten anyone because I know you have all been great.
And many more..........
There are so many more people that have helped in so many ways. I need to mention Andrew, my old boss - he keeps in contact at least weekly and as always is a really great listener.
Sadie from Country Clover Florist has been great, arrives with flowers every time the going gets tough. Sadie is also training hard to run The London Marathon in aid of Willen Hospice, although we are really proud of her for doing this I do have concerns that my chocolate sales are falling whilst she is in training. Alex and Ryan Pink from the cycle shop across the road have visited Mike in hospital and at home - they always manage to make him laugh.
The list is endless..........
Willen Hospice
A massive thank you goes to Willen Hospice. If this site gains nothing else I would like people to be aware of the amazing work that they do. I really wish that I could do something to promote the fact that they give you so much support in life and that the hospice is not a morbid place at all.
Mike attends the day hospice every Wednesday from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. It gives him a chance to meet other people facing the same illness and the opportunity to do pottery and painting. I go to the carers group at the hospice on a Monday afternoon, all we do is eat cake and drink tea (not good for the ever expanding waist line, but very good for the soul). It is the one place in the world that you can talk about how you really feel and people really know how you feel because they are all going through it too.
The family support worker, Sandy is brilliant, she has supported us all so much - I don't know where we would be without her.
Liz is another star from Willen, she is the first contact that we had and has guided us the whole way through this horrendous journey. Like Sandy, Liz is always at the end of the phone to give advice and visits regularly as well.
If you click on the link below you will be directed to their website.
Willen Hospice
8 comments:
Hi,Just wanted to say what a genius idea for us lot that want to know whats happening with the kerr's in newport pagnell!Was really nice seeing u all again especially my uncle tosspot!!See you again very soon.Love you all loads from your special neice Nicky ;-)x x x
Hey jo,
I must say what a beautifully written blog on the kerrs, after wiping the tears from my eyes I can finally write this reply.
Thank you for the pink brother mention, me and ginge have always had a great relationship with you kerrs and this will never change.
Words cannot explain how the pink family felt after first hearing about mike, there are no words that can do that now.
Mike has a true place in my heart when the bugger first stuck his two fingers up at me one day from across the road, now I just want the opportunity to do it back, my time will come mikey fresh, don’t worry about that.
Little miss moody and big C
Well what can I say apart from you guys deserve a medal for your bravery for dealing with this.
I can’t imagine what it must be like for you right now.
I`m not going to go on about how lovely you both are, as we all know that little miss moody deserves the name given to her and big C always has his hands on the shop stock.
Only kidding guys, you know where I’ll be if you ever need me.
Ps. I am always over the road if you ever need anything, but if you think i`m getting up early hours to deliver papers, think again as that’s gingers job. :-}
Peace and love
Alex XXX
Hi all, very good IT skills auntie... loving the work. Chlesea the best team in the world??! whats that all about? Hmmm Reading shirt for christmas cam? hope all goes well this week and i shall see u all very soon. love u all x.x AD x.x
Hi Jo,
Like Alex I've only just stopped crying. What you have written is so touching and lovely and that is just the tip of what I can say about you all. I have only been lucky enough to have known you all for a couple of years and in that time you have been best friends to me and more. When you told me the devestating news about Mike my world fell apart so I have no idea what you are going through and can only imagine and I know thats not close enough. I cannot thank Mike enough for all the things he's done - making me laugh a lot and showing me what true love is and how special life is. Not to mention getting me to apply to go to Australia!!!!! perhaps he doesn't really like me? only joking xxx
Willow and Harley send their love too and I know Willow misses your fussing Mike as everytime she goes "walkabout" she can be found by your back gate!!!!
Everything is crossed for you this week especially Thursday.
Love and Hugs
Mollie xxxx
ps. Buster says Hi and get your suit ready for the Wedding in May and he'll buy you a drink or 2 or 3 or 4 xxx
Mum,
Just wanted to say what a lovely page.
Things aren't always easy as you well know, and the day i found out my dad was terminally ill i didn't know how to cope, you are my strength.
somedays i wake up and hope it's just a bad dream but it's reality and hits me hard.
You are both very special to me and i love you both with all my heart.
Thank you for being you.
lots and lots of love
Hannah
xxxxxx
Sorry - was challenged by the technology the first time and posted before I was done!
Mike, Jo, Hannah and Cameron
Well what a rollercoaster the last few months have been, but how you have all coped has been incredible. Jo, you are amazing. Hopefully all the comments help make you appreciate just how much people care and want to help.
Hannah and Cameron - I'm only a text or call away...
And Mike. I don't need to tell you how special you are to me (even though you told me I was found in the park as a baby and you were a complete git to me when we were growing up). You know where I am.
If there's anything any of you need - a chat, a rant (to scream!) you know where I am. Even if it just turns the tap off for a moment, don't be afraid to call.
Remember - things WILL be great again, just not in the way you expected.
Thinking of you all, every day. All my love, Gill xx
Well reading the 13th Feb Blog, I think is about time we dragged Cam out of bed to start delivering them papers....to start paying back for all those drinks he steals from the fridge at lunchtimes!
Like Alex said we were shocked when we found out the sad news last year. I have a lot of respect for Mike and Jo. They keep life real for me. Like when I had PhD troubles Mike kept it true and professional said "sue'em" and his careers advice "sod local community, go rule the world and get on TV, plus more people listen".
Last year after hearing I decided to start writing a educational musical - to inform laymen on "what is cancer" - its what I can do for Jo and Mike, this has snowballed with a dance team from Denmark, 2 BAFTA award winners and a National Theatre playwrite all offering their services for nothing. Not because of me, but because it is based on Mike a real straight to the point local hero. People would pay good money to see Mikes strong character, because it is something many people do not have in their lives. So Mike when you ready, I ready for the filming.
Whats this about all this sleeping and lazying around, you need to be walking as Im not having wheelchairs in the way of people at my wedding in June. I cant have "I do....as soon as I get my dress un caught from the wheelchair".
look after yourselfs and thanks for teaching us that, through these blogs, strength is not continual smiling, but being truthful and kind
Ryan (pinkyontour2000@yahoo.com)
x
Post a Comment