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    Cancer Research!

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    It was another day of volunteering for Darrell and I at Cancer Research in Portsmouth today. It has been great introducing Darrell to my work colleagues, every Monday morning; they enjoy spending time with him, even if he is only here for a short while. With Darrell returning to Australia on 3 October, it has been essential for me acquaint him with my life in the UK, so he feels comfortable and at ease before he goes to care for his Mum. I am happy with the life I have built here as I know he is; it makes him leaving easier to deal with.

    Darrell gets on fantastically well with everyone at this charity and it has been good to see him relaxed and content before he returns home. Today, he was awarded the 'Best Small Bum' award by the ladies at work; a further nod of approval from such a fun loving group of people, all striving for the same goals, working tirelessly for Cancer Research!

    We are having a day off next Monday, as we recover from my Aunties Birthday on Sunday and prepare for Darrell's departure the following week. I know he has made some wonderful friends at the shop and they will all keep in touch with him while he navigates a new chapter, caring for his Mother, battling cancer in Australia!

    Beating Cancer Sooner!
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    Stop Blaming!

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    We all make choices on our journey and are quick to pass the buck when things goes wrong. Ultimately we are responsible for our own fate and can't blame others when things go wrong. Stop blaming start aiming; Stop crawling and falling, start winning and stealing, the future is in your hands.
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    Rab's World!

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    One song can take you back to a time, place or person and it doesn't matter what else happens in this world, the song will remain the same...just like the moment!
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    Recovery!

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    Today Darrell and I went to Southampton to see Mum, who went in for her operation on Tuesday. Previously all Mum's surgery had been carried out at The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, but recently all vascular surgical procedures were moved to Southampton General Hospital, so that's where we headed this morning.

    Mum was on ward D4, not the nicest part of the complex and certainly not as amiable as the one she was on in QA recently, but it looked comfortable enough. Mum was her usual truthful self, telling me how it is, refusing to eat the food and generally annoyed at being there in the first place. However she was complimentary about the medical staff, who couldn't do enough for the patients.
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    Mum seemed rather chipper when we arrived, almost happy and looked amazingly well; I was pleasantly surprised at her general demeanor. Mum hasn't seen my partner Darrell for about six years, so it was good to see them both talking after such a long period; they had a lot to say to one another, especially with my Mother In Law also being so ill herself.

    Mum was on very few painkillers, just a couple of paracetamol, after her operation, but appeared to be all the better for it. With two amputations under her belt, it was almost as if she was used to what was happening; a quiet resignation as to what happens next. Mum has suffered so much in recent times, I was relieved she was so calm and dignified after such an ordeal. At 69 years old, she would have put many much younger to shame.

    I was able to view the wound and it looked clean and neat, unlike before she had the operation and I think she was just relieved to be over the worst that could have been.
     
    Now comes the hard part; Mum will have to undergo intensive physiotherapy, as she has done in the past and will need the support of all of us as we help her through this difficult period. Of course they are also moving home soon and with so much upheaval in their life, it is important they have a close network of friends and family around them, something we have to all play our part in.

    For now I am glad the operation is over and Mother is on the mend, The next few weeks will be crucial for her recovery, but with a positive outlook I feel confident she will overcome any obstacle thrown her way. Today I feel far more optimistic about the future than I did yesterday, that is important now, for everyone!
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    Mum!

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    Yesterday Mum went into Southampton General Hospital to undergo surgery. Already a double amputee, below the knee, losing both her legs through type I Diabetes, Mum was now faced with the horrifying prospect of having a full leg amputation. One of her stumps had become infected and in order to avoid blood poisoning, Mum and Dad were advised that another operation was necessary.

    Understandably both my parents were reluctant to contemplate a further operation. Mum has long suffered and didn't want to add further difficulty to her already gruelling daily life. After taking advice from practitioners and surgeons, it was decided to carry out the procedure; in stark terms, Mum was warned she would die without additional surgery. They were encouraged to act quickly before sepsis took hold and infection entered the bone, making treatment impossible and death inevitable.

    Mum was told to prepare for the amputation and expect to be admitted to Southampton within a few weeks. Luckily their current home is adapted for her current disability, so no aftercare would need to be arranged, before she went home after the operation. The Doctors were hoping to send Mother home within a few days of the abscission.  I was shocked to hear she would be discharged so soon after such major trauma, but suitably reassured this was common practice. The longer Mum remains on a ward, the more chance she has of contracting a hospital infection, that could ultimately prove fatal. In the past after a previous operation, Mum developed MRSA, a further recurrence of which could hinder her recovery long term.

    Last night the hospital carried out the amputation on her right leg and Dad messaged me immediately afterwards to say she was OK. This morning however I was contacted once again and told Mum had to undergo a blood transfusion and would have to stay in hospital longer than expected.  This is of course a worrying time for all of us and we want to get Mum home as soon as we can.

    Mum and Dad would like to thank friends and family for their good wishes and continued support. Without all of you, this period would be far harder to endure than it already is. I would like to send everyone lots of love in return and of course wish Mum a speedy recovery!
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    Keeping Busy!

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    I've had an extremely busy few days once again. Saturday is fast becoming the busiest day of the week for me at the moment, working two jobs on the same day. After grafting in our local supermarket in the morning, I arrived at a buzzing Newcome Arms. Portsmouth FC were once again playing at home, so the bar was full to bursting with supporters after the game.

    In the evening my old College friend Garry popped in for a few drinks, reminiscing about the old days and updating me on the mini College reunion I was unable to attend a few weeks ago. By all accounts everyone had a good time; it's good they are all once again in touch, all through the power of blogging!
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    My feet don't really seem to touch the ground as I run from one job to another and one event to the next. I find work and 'keeping on my toes' a great way to forget my troubles. On Tuesday of this week Mum goes into Southampton General Hospital, where she will undergo a full leg amputation. Mother has been here before, so she is well versed in the procedures involved, but understandably isn't coping too well psychologically. Working has helped me divert attention away from the difficulties surrounding my life encouraging me to channel energy elsewhere; a positive force for good!
    After work on Sunday, Jason and I joined the rest of the family for a meal at John Jacques in Fratton. I don't get out too often at the moment, working every hour that God sends, so was glad of the break.

    After a hearty meal, we walked the short distance to my Cousin Rachel's house, to see her new cat, Olive. After her first feline friend Mikey went missing a few weeks ago, she thought it was time to get another addition to the family; she is adorable!
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    Monday is of course my volunteering day with Cancer Research and with Darrell back in Britain for a while, I decided to rope him into working with me and the team each week, until he goes. This Monday the shop was heaving, as the 'one pound sale' started; by the end of the day, Darrell like me was exhausted having made hundreds of pounds for this fantastic charity.

    With Darrell's Mum suffering from the ravages of cancer, it seems fitting that he can do something to help all those coping with this disease on a daily basis. This is a charity I am proud to volunteer for and always look forward to spending time with everyone who works here. This is community action at work and I enjoy it. Feeling a part of a team is important for all of us, especially our wellbeing. Everyone who does their bit and plays their part feels the benefit of their input. It is also good for the soul to volunteer and it is the one constant in my life, that gives me a tremendous amount of satisfaction.

    Tomorrow is another day, lots to do as usual. On Thursday I am off to the Southampton General Hospital to see Mother after her operation; I will of course keep you all informed of her progress!
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