And Finally....A Note From The Man Himself!

Elizabeth and Christopher have asked me to write the final entry in the blog which has catalogued a very painful chapter in the history of our household.

It’s almost six weeks since family fortunes took a setback in the form of illness which overtook me whilst on holiday in Italy. Today, thanks to the skill of so many members of the medical profession , I’m back home and despite the weakness which goes with illness I’m making progress towards recovery.

My task now is to say thank you – especially to Beryl, Elizabeth and Christopher for standing alongside for the 3 long weeks I was in Italy and for their support when I returned to the UK.

Beryl has said that ‘ we don’t know what we would have done without the support of Elizabeth and Christopher.’ They arranged hotel bookings, car hire and interpreters from the British Embassy. They were also proactive in implementing the insurance cover. Thanks also for the Blog. By this means news updates, messages of prayer and support from very many people have been readily accessed. Thanks to modern technology this has been an added means of considerable encouragement and support in dark days.

The things which will be of lasting memory for me as this event passes into the mists of time are first the unbelievable kindness and compassion of people everywhere. I was especially moved in Italy by the relatives of a dying man in the two bed ward where I was at the time. His daughters tried to encourage me to eat: they spoke not a word of English but took the trouble to cut my food up and to tempt me to eat. Though at the time it seemed like dust and ashes in my mouth.

In Italy in my better moments I tried to discern what place the Pope has in it all. To my surprise people knew about Manchester United and Christiano Ronaldo – there was much interest when it was known that I was from the UK, the Pope didn’t appear to have a similar hold on hospital workers.

The Italian medical team did an excellent job in bringing me through what family members have described as ‘the jaws of death’ which wasn’t easy giving the barriers of language and culture. Likewise I can’t speak highly enough of the care I’ve received in Kings Mill Hospital following an escorted repatriation from Naples to Gatwick.

Thank you again for your friendship, kindness and prayers at a time when the whole world seemed to turn black and through to the betters days of which I’m able to write now.

With my thanks and love to all,

Frank