Mummy Dawkins:

Russ is looking pretty good , so much better than he looked last Saturday. His appetite has improved and he is making a huge effort to eat more than he was. This morning he went down to the Thames in a wheelchair accompanied by a couple of his visitors . Sitting  up is very painful for him but in true Russ style, he is going for it in spite of a huge degree of personal discomfort . 

Russ is enjoying the World Athletics Championships on  the  TV at the moment.  As an endurance athlete, Russ loves to watch every kind of sport. Bob and I decided to stay away today so that he would have more time to watch the athletics. He also needs time to sleep during the day, to eat because he eats very slowly and to do the exercises that his physiotherapists have decided that he should do in order to regain his strength . When his Dad and I visited him tonight he was watching the athletics and was in good spirits. We shaved him ( doing our best Dani - no nicks honestly ) although I prefer a little designer stubble it's not appropriate in ICU where cleanliness is essential.

We did not stay for very long, we left him enjoying the athletics , clean shaven and feeling comfortable. We feel that he has progressed over the last two days which is wonderful. Well done Russ, you are a real star.

Russ looking healthier and stronger than he has for week with his cheeks healing well after his chemical skin peel…..The lovely lady is Sima, a former Opto student.  Apparently the nurses are rather intrigued by the number of hot babes visiting him! (They call him Hugh Hefner behind his back!)…

Hello lovely peeps,

So as you can see from Russ’s lovely heart warming posts he is continuing to make steady progress and is getting stronger with each day.

Since Russ’s return he has had literally countless visitors and has without doubt been the the most popular patient in London this last month let alone just the LBH…with perhaps the exception of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

Russ’s moral has been hugely boosted by the love and commitment that has been shown by you all in every way, from reading his blog, to visiting him in France and now visiting at the LBH.  Sorry if that sounds a bit flowery to you macho types (see above).

Today my new name is ‘Bouncer’ but not as in the friendly dog in neighbors… 🙂

The lovely, dedicated nurses have been on our backs….

Visiting Russ:

The nurses have specifically requested that the following times be kept free for them to do their stuff with Russ…it is uber important:

11am-12pm and again 2pm-4pm

Russ also needs to rest an awful lot each day.  His body has suffered an unbelievable stress which it is still recovering from and this adds to his tiredness along with his injured lungs that reduce his oxygen levels.

Please, please DO continue to visit with the same intensity but please could you perhaps keep your visits to a maximum of 20 mins (unless v close friends/family – you know who you are).  Please could you also use the calender if you are intending to stay for more than 10 mins as some days Russ gets tired and may need to cancel.  If your visit is on the calender, he can contact you but if it is not and you turn up he will feel too sorry for you to turn you away…and then he will get tired.

I have a calender on line which is quite easy to access.  If you are not already able to access please email me at melissa.leach@iagoft.com and I will send you a link.
If you are a complete technophobe, just email me and I will book you a slot!

I am pretty sure that Russ will not like or agree to the above but our priority right now is to get Russ fit enough to snuggle up on the sofa with Dani and the girls (just before he rows across the atlantic) and that might take a bit of resting along with the love and support of you all…. a very fine a balance…whilst I write this I kind of know that I am going to be asking you all to increase your visits to 3 hours again next week….;-)

I feel I need to add those immortal lines…’Your name is not on the list, you are not coming in!’….as they used to recite to me at ‘The Met Bar’ all those years ago when I was known as Spartacus… 😉

Just watched Chissy Ohorugu win the 400m breaking Cathy Cook’s British record
I used to watch and follow Cathy when i was a kid, so that’s a record that’s stood for a blimmin long time!
I’ve been out in the chair today, to the river, and done some ‘sitting on the edge of the bed’ therapy.
You don’t realise  just how complicated that move is until you’ve lost half of your control AND been on your back for 2 months.
I’ve recieved so many cards and gifts that its like my birthday every day, only without the party and the champagne.
I hope that on my birthday Dani and the girls will come, and I’ll try some drink for the first time in ages. Lily (12 ) is partial to champagne already.. Yes, she’s having an upbringing like her mother. My first experience was cheap lager in the park, pretending to like it, then being sick.
Not so my girls! Like debutantes they’ll be…
They’re all in Portugal having a great time, but call me every day, at least once.

It would seem pretty much guaranteed that I’ll at some point before long be going to the spinal rehab centre in Stoke Mandeville ( try NOT to immed think of Jimmy Saville, well known fund raiser for the centre) where I should get the best treatment going.
Time wise it hinges on my still mucous producing chest, a consequence of the 6 ribs and lung trauma I suffered in the crash.
Until then I’ll be here, and I think also in the Wellington ( north London).
I’ve been there before for canoe induced injuries so not my first time.
I should write a book ‘ Hospitals I’ve been to and for what’.

When I think about it, it’s a wonder I’ve lasted this long.

Thanks for reading what comes out as I write, it’s nice to know you are.

Be good
Russ

Hi Russ

It seems a long time ago that we met up with you at Heathrow Terminal 5 to fly to Nice for the WDF trip in June.  I still remember your amazement that Ian and I had managed to chat up a Canadian girl without your assistance (actually she just wanted to borrow a mobile phone!).

Then along came Quentin, and I was pleased that there was a newcomer to WDF who could give you as much lip as you are accustomed to giving to others.  Little did we know that Quentin would be such a tower of strength at the time of, and following, your terrible accident.  Not just Quentin – but Roy, Dickon, Toby and many others in the WDF group who helped you out as best they could during a very traumatic time for all.

I agree with Rob that you have always been core to that cycling group, constantly providing assistance and encouragement – as well as a healthy dose of humour.  It’s our turn to collectively offer you assistance and encouragement (and a good dose of humour) as you continue your difficult new journey.

You have been constantly in our thoughts since 14 June, and the WDF guys are obviously delighted at your steady, and remarkable, recovery.

All the very best,
Neil

Hi Russ

Great to have you back on home soil. We have been thinking of you, Dani and the girls a lot. We don’t blog. We aren’t on face book. We are reluctantly on Linked-in. But we have been following your story closely on your blog – and have been really moved by the strength and humour of you and your family.

Some random thoughts from the Kensington household when you can’ sleep:

1. Es did not realise that you had quite so many friends to ratchet up 80,000 hits on your blog. Respect. (Actually not quite accurate – 45656 to date!) 

2. Es was mugged by two hoodies last week. They took his precious Iphone, IWC watch and wallet. No, they did not have a knife or a gun. Yes, he is feeling emasculated.

3. Natasha wants to know why you would contemplate kicking a nurse in the boobies…and Max is perplexed about girls who would voluntarily make their boobies bigger

4. I had to fire my au pair last week because she forgot to pick up the kids. Twice. Some would argue that is her j.o.b.

5. Dani may be considered a bad mother for giving champagne to Amber. But I am a bad mother for letting my kids listen to hip hop. I caught them merrily singing to Macklemore “I don’t give a fuck”

We are hoping to visit you soon.

Take care and big hugs.

Jac, Es, Max and Natasha

As I’ve lain here pretty vulnerable and weak, it’s surprised me how often and how many of you have described me as inspirational.
I’m not really sure why I deserve the compliment any more than most, but thank you.
A lot of people have kind of assumed that I’ll be rowing the Atlantic by Xmas.
In fact, the current reality is that I hope to get well enough before too long to just cuddle up on the sofa with my Lily and Amber, and Dani, and feel their love, thankful that  I’m alive to do so.
After that, who knows?
Lots of people with injuries have gone on to achieve all kinds of feats.
Will I want to? I’ve no idea. At the moment sitting up for 30 mins hurts a lot, so I’d rather lie down!

I don’t think you can know until you’re in the situation.

I’ll be sure not to change into a grumpy git , I won’t stop drinking ( tho the Mosh Pit at gigs may be out of bounds) and ill always try to stay pretty fit, for my own self esteem.
I’m looking forward to being given a blanket and the best seats at sports events too.

I imagine I’ll get more time with my girls by eg NOT going canoeing in the dark after work, or going off all the time on sports trips..? Only time will tell.
Whatever, I’m pretty sure I’ll be happy.

Russ
PS You all see Bolt?What a specimen.

Comments from:

Maman Jenni

Hey Russ
You really are an inspiration by virtue of your beautiful thoughts and the way you express them. It is such a joy to read your blog. You are the first thought when I wake and the last thought before I fall asleep at night. We both are so proud of you and really do feel you are destined for great things. I'm sure cuddling up to your beautiful daughters and your wonderful wife won't be too far away.  You will dig deep and surprise us all.
With very much love
Grandolph and Paul xxx

Today:

A stroll by the Thames this morning with Major John, Jenni, Bob and Di . Xxxxxxx

From yesterday:

Bob and I spent our very first day in the London Bridge hospital with Russ, Dani,Lily and Amber yesterday. It was so good to see him again. He was lying quite flat because that was the most comfortable position for him. He looked thinner but was in good spirits . 

Dani and the girls left for Portugal at 5.00 am so we were looking forward to having lots of time with Russell today although we knew that Russ would be missing them. We arrived at Russ's room to discover, to our great delight, that Russ had been outside, looking at the Thames in a wheelchair. What a momentous occasion. We were over the moon and so was Russ. We were absolutely determined to be there with him the next time so that we could turn it into a photo shoot.

Bob and I wandered across London Bridge whilst Russ had a rest and some lunch. On our return 
Russ was enjoying an intensive one hour physiotherapy session . We waited in the small waiting room hoping that we might be allowed back into Russ's room but we didn't see Russ until almost 6.00 . As we were walking past the lift we met a couple looking for Russ,s room. it was Rob , Russ's other half when Russ and he had won the Yukon 1000 (mile) race in 2009 against incredible opposition. It was the first time that this global  kayak race had been staged and these two had won it.  
Russ was so pleased to see him and we were so pleased to meet Rob whom we had heard so much about and his charming wife. The four of us were delighted to see, when we entered Russ's  room , that Russ was sitting upright in his wheelchair for the second time that day. Absolutely brilliant.

Russ had his full quota of visitors today as we knew he would. Terry from the Hogarth club, Pat, Blair from Specsavers, Julia and her daughter on their way to the cinema and, of course, Rob and Kerry .

We left Russell looking better than yesterday so it's onward and upwards. Well done Russ, you are a star. We are hoping to see you in your wheelchair for a photo shoot tomorrow.



	

Hi Melissa
Could you post this on Russ blog

It was taken when we were in Servoz, Chamonix with them in 2005. I think it was Danis birthday??

Very lovely picture. Took me a week to dry out after that trip

Love
Laura