Sitting at home surrounded by a mountain of bags, boxes of medication, unopened post, calendars saying September, clocks not turned back and countless heartfelt messages being added to last night’s fb post, I’m becoming very… Emotional? Reflective? Thankful? Shell shocked? All of them and more…
I’ve said this before and I will continue to say it. There are not enough words to express how eternally grateful I am to each and every single person I know, and to an awful lot who I don’t actually know, that has been here for us over the last 9 weeks. We truly truly needed all of you. Thank you thank you thank you!
To Seryn – the 13 year old girl who went to school whilst her brother went to the gp with a tummy bug and who came out of school to a complete tornado to cope with. You have been utterly amazing. Mature, brave, kind, loving, selfless. You have been so worried about Ren but you have got up and gone to school every day, even though your life has been turned completely upside down. You have been put through the mill just as much as Ren and myself but you have not complained at all. And now we’re home you’re raring to take on any caring role needed to help your brother. I love you and could not be more proud of you Sezza.
To my parents who took on the full time parenting role at the drop of a hat, for ensuring Seryn was coping, for trying their best to keep our family functioning on a practical level and for trying to keep us all sane.
To the amazing surgeons, theatre staff, consultants, specialists, doctors, nurses and the countless other people who have crossed our paths at Sheffield children’s hospital. They saved Ren’s life. Not an exaggeration, a fact. I will never forget any of them. The way those nurses tapped into Ren and got him achieving things I didn’t think he would post op is truly astounding. Heroes each and every one of them.
To my friends who have given me the most amazing support mentally.
I’ve been so thankful of all those lengthy conversations and the supportive advice, be it face to face, phone call or text. There are too many of you to name, you know who you are. But believe me every single message, virtual hug, text, fb ‘like’ or comment etc has been gratefully received and has given me a lot of strength. Cards flowers and gifts just added to the love that we found people had for us.
And whilst there wasn’t a lot people could do to help practically, it was clear to see that apparently there was a lot you guys could do for us…who on earth would set up a go fund me page on our behalf? And who on earth would give anything to it? I could have died when I saw what [Steve] had done that night…toe curling embarrassment filled my mind. But, you know what, it was so needed. Losing my work and my income because of this situation has been a nightmare we could have done without. You guys have ensured it is a nightmare I have done without. You are all absolute legends and I love you all. #teamren is a real thing (copyright [Lee]!)
And whilst I’m talking about that, [Alan] decided to mention on a forum about Ren ‘hey guys anyone want to send a postcard to a sick lad to cheer him up?’…so we come home to a glut of postcards, gifts and a ps4 gifted by his friends (not to mention a lot of money added to Ren’s page). The actions of complete strangers is so humbling.
To Ren, yep my eyes are filling up now. What do I thank you for? For being you.
For being the most amazing, brave, mature, pragmatic, stoic person I know.
For being the most kind, thoughtful, loving person I know (are you OK? Have you eaten today? Have you taken your tablets today? Remind me again who is ill and who is the parent?!)
For taking everything that was thrown at you with the most unbelievable acceptance and a very ‘come on, let’s get it done then’ positive attitude. Mature beyond most people’s years let alone yours.
For the determination you have shown. This was never going to beat you. The doctors could not believe how ill you were on arrival and can not believe how quickly you’ve turned it round post 2 major operations (the second only being 3 and a half weeks ago!)
For making this journey eventful (and that’s an understatement if ever I heard one!). We’ve laughed our heads off, made ridiculous jokes at our situation (who else watches a programme called ‘critical condition’ night after night on the run up to your operation ffs?!), had deep and meaningfuls, made plans for our ‘new normal’ and had very few criss words unbelievably!
For making my job easy. People say they don’t know how I’ve coped through it all. I’ve coped because you’ve made it easy. You are the most inspirational person I will ever know Ren and I’m beyond proud you are my son.
