Missing

[Kittyhawk]

Would anyone have any intel on forum member AES?
Over the past couple of years we have had a pretty active off-forum email exchange as a result of our mutual interest in modelling and aviation.
He has not posted on the forum for a few months now and my emails to him remain unanswered.
A bit concerned.

 

[Tris]

I seem to recall a comment he posted earlier this year about moving house, don't know if that may have something to do with it?

 

[Noel]

Yep
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/home-lift-installation.144921/post-1721168

Hope all ok with him.

 

[SammyQ]

If any bod does manage to contact Andy, please convey my best wishes to him. He is one of the most altruistic people on the planet.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

I had some conversations with Andy about a year ago and as I have his email address I have sent an enquiry. I'll let you know when I get a response.
Martin

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

I have had a message back from AES that I copy hear in its entirety. I have replied with my best wishes and suggested you would do so as well. I wish it was better news.
Martin.
BTW the way my Google pseudonym is "Harry"

Dear "Harry",
Thanks for your message "Harry". I don't mind at all, but must say I'm surprised to be missed! Perhaps it's the "unfinished business" I've left (completing the thread about that pedal car, and completing the thread about "re-enjoining" my scroll saw)???

Anyway, the truth is that for us both the move and everything connected with it has gone all to hell in a hand basket.

A few days after "moving in" - mid Sept - (which in reality has left "a squadrillion" of unpacked moving company cartons strewn about the place - to this day!) both my wife and I were admitted to hospital on an emergency basis.

"Short and sweet": My wife has now been diagnosed with Alzheimers which has resulted in her having dementia - it's come on VERY quickly and is very bad - she will consistently ask the self-same Q literally every 5 minutes; and she got completely lost while out shopping the other day. I have now found a permanent place for her in an excellent but very expensive - this is Switzerland! - old people's "hotel" in Basel. I have NO idea what her future holds. She is 83. I am 79 and also have little idea what the future holds - I've never been a huge "life planner" but have always had some idea of more or less which direction I'm headed. But now? See below:

During the actual move, plus the run up to it, I had several bad falls (lack of balance) and various X-rays, MRIs, etc, now show my back is broken in 3 places. It is left to the effects of very powerful painkillers, (including Fentanyl patches, so I may not drive at all), a corset, and home visits by the physical terrorist - no back ops this time round. I must say that it does seem to be getting better though, and my mobility IS improving.

But I see NO possibility of any sort of workshop -or activity in it - in the foreseeable future. For obvious reasons have not had any contacts or posted on UKW since just before the move. No idea when/if I'll be back, sorry.

So my thanks for the enquiry, it's nice to know that I'm not completely forgotten. By all means post all or parts of the above directly onto UKW as you see fit. But I'm sure that all will appreciate that there is little likelihood of any responses (not even my thanks for "Get well soon" etc post) from me this side of Xmas and the New Year at the earliest.

In short my whole world has been turned completely upside down. And that within "a flash" - August to now.

But Seasons Greetings to all.

Cheers

Kind regards/Freundliche Grüsse
Andy Sweetland​

 

[Jester129]

It makes you want to cry, what a shame. We can only hope his back recovers as much as possible. For his wife, what can one say???

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

It makes you want to cry, what a shame. We can only hope his back recovers as much as possible. For his wife, what can one say???

Yes. It's impossible to know what to say in a case like this. I even asked the child bride, who is always much better at words than I, but she was at a lose too. It's difficult to help in any meaningful way too as he's in Switzerland. I'll message him again in a few days.

 

[Blackswanwood]

A good reminder that many of the things that annoy me don’t really matter. Hopefully his wife settles in smoothly to her new surroundings and the back treatment makes fast progress.

I wouldn’t over think what to say when responding. Letting him know he’s not forgotten will hopefully lift his spirits.

Full marks to Kittyhawk and yourself for noticing the absence and for doing something about it.

 

[AES]

A good reminder that many of the things that annoy me don’t really matter. Hopefully his wife settles in smoothly to her new surroundings and the back treatment makes fast progress.

I wouldn’t over think what to say when responding. Letting him know he’s not forgotten will hopefully lift his spirits.

Full marks to Kittyhawk and yourself for noticing the absence and for doing something about it.

Just a quick one from me to say a real thanks to ALL of you above for your comments and responses to "my" post (actually Morris Woodman12) - post #6 - above.

As someone has already said, there's nothing at all that anyone can say in response really, it is a tragedy for both of us, and that's it and all there is about it. But knowing that I am remembered by so many of you IS a definite lift. Thanks. And as to Sam Q's comment about "altruistic", I can only respond with an "I SAY! Steady on old chap"!

Thanks, I'm determined that we'll both make it - I'm just not sure at present in exactly what form "making it" will turn out to be.

Cheers, I'll still be around from time to time. BUT for dovetail: Sorry mate, but NO, I still will not be making any sort of cash payments - just my time to produce posts which quite a few here do seem to appreciate.

AES

 

[Cozzer]

Alzheimers.
My heart bleeds for you, AES.
Both my parents and parents-in-law succombed. My father was diagnosed with "pre-senile dementia" in his his mid-40's, a phrase used before the "early-onset" tag used these days. He "lasted" until his mid-60s, and I admit to thinking that it was a relief for everyone when he eventually passed.
What an admission....I should be ashamed, but I'm not.
And that's the problem with this horrific illness...it's not simply the sufferer who is affected, but everyone concerned with them. If only as much money was poured into research as for cancer and MND.

I'm not religious, one iota, but let's pray that the reason for the frightening increase in cases - and thereby a cure - is soon found.

 

[XTiffy]

AES,
Just read all of the above messages, we exchanged memories some time back on our similat apprentice training, you in the RAF and me the RN. You being a couple of years older than me. In the ex-RN Artificer Apprentice Association to which I belong, your story is too common. I have just been to a friends wife's funeral and she had Alzheimers and I witnessed the impact on my friend dealing with this over the last few years. Went through all of this with Mother-in- Law .We have had many comrades suffer from Asbestosis, through working in steam ships. As an ex-RAF man have you applied for financial help from the RAF charity? I have seen many adverts from them trying to support RAFvets. worth a check.

 

[gregmcateer]

Sending my best wishes, too.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I know there is no thing I can say but please pass on best wishes to the chap
Katomi

 

[Jameshow]

Best wishes.

Perhaps a little bit if wood working perhaps box making might help?

A little tool box and table top workbench?

Just a thought?