Strange Encounter

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace
Good Day My Friends
Good Day My Friends

Three items on this post firstly the link to the interview I made at St Georges Hall Liverpool. I would appreciate you sharing the link with friends and enemies, either way; it should have a suitable effect! I would be interested in your opinions of the video; please let me know.

Incidentally during the week after Liverpool I was attending an event and became part of a strange conversation. A lady cheerfully informed me she would happily receive an organ donation, but no way would she put her name on the donor register. I have an open mind about people’s opinions, although this woman baffled me. She thought her opinion was some twisted joke. Believing, she was in some way ‘winding’ up my intolerance spring.

The donor/recipient relationship is holistic and delicate. We should be careful of opinion as sometimes there is a risk of damaging the system. Consider the danger of A.N. Other listening to the ‘Take but not give’ selfish attitude. It is possible a potential donor could decide to reflect upon the possibility of their donation being given to an undeserving recipient. I would not concern myself about this because there is no such person as an ungrateful transplant patient. If the woman I write of actually became in need of an organ, believe me, her attitude would change.

Life is a wholesome lesson, not a lesson in selfishness. When you read ‘Second Chance’ you discover, the patient does not walk into a hospital and say ‘Hey man, give me a kidney’. We become ill; the illness becomes grave and finally life threatening. At some stage, the decision is made to place the patient on the transplant list. And then the process begins, it is complex and involves tens of people and hours of examinations. The woman missed the point; she believed she would be in control of the situation. ‘I’d have a transplant, but I’d never donate an organ’ sound’s all nice and dandy for those who think they are ‘savvy’. Truth to tell it would all change once illness sets in.

We have to be mentally strong to survive extreme illness, and we have to have compassion and understanding for our fellow humans. I feel this is not important; it is essential. I had no concern for the somewhat selfish attitude of the ‘take but not give’ woman. Because, the real truth, the essential truth is the patient needs to have love, understanding and compassion within their being. I wonder if the poor lady understood this basic requirement. If you are to overcome illness, there is NO room for illusion. If you blinker your eyes to any situation, if you make excuses for others, you have compromised your being. I will not compromise my reality and understanding of the donor system, there is no room for the nonsense of fools, it is a real life experience, not a windup inferior-superior joke. As I wrote somewhere else ‘A weak heart never won a fair maiden. And there is no more beautiful maiden than LIFE.

Part Two; I have received excellent feedback on ‘Second Chance’ and here are the latest additions to the growing number of ‘five-star’ reviews. If you have read it, your comments on the Amazon site would also be gratefully appreciated. Remember your contribution encourages others to read the book. And everyone who reads it could become a potential donor. The World needs donors!

campbell-amazon-review
Campbell-amazon-review

Part Three; Many people wonder if my life is ‘normal’. It is probable they wonder if I am in some way disabled after having such major surgery. Well here’s a picture of me at Formby Beach. The day started before seven and finished well after ten. Did I feel worn out or exhausted? Not at all, my life is as normal as yours, and I intend to take advantage of every moment of my ‘Second Chance’.

My New Friend
My New Friend

Live Life Well

Campbell

It’s Been A While

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace

 

Campbell Wallace
Campbell Wallace

‘Second Chance’ is now fully published and available on Kindle or direct purchase soft cover from myself (link at the bottom of this page). Now the sales promotion is out of the way, let’s continue to the post.

‘Second Chance’ has three objectives; To help the patient and family become free of worry. To guide all who are facing life threatening disease and major surgery to face the illness and procedures in the best possible way. And, to give an insight as to why we should carefully consider signing on to the National Donors Register.

From the conversations I have had so far, the probability is I have succeeded in all these objectives. You may read the last sentence and comment ‘That’s a little presumptuous of you Cam’ and or course you would be right. My point of view is this; I desire for people to become aware of the ways they can prepare and help themselves in the most difficult of situations. The worst situation any man can be in is when they are ill. Forget your money crisis, your fall out with your wife because you fail to talk to her. Forget your car breaking down or the ignorant man who thinks your driving is useless. Forget the child who you’ve told for the eight thousandth time to put his school clothes in the wash basket. None of these situations matters and all can be forgiven, forgotten or worked out. However, when you are ill, you are in a no man’s land. Apart from your doctor, consultant, and medical staff, very few people can help you with your plight. The reason is simple; they have not experienced the problem. This is why I shout out to let people know about my book and its sentiments.

We all like evidence so here is an exert from a short note sent to me by Simon E-C.

‘Just to tell you that I was always reluctant to go on the donor register as I can’t bear the thought of anyone cutting me, alive or dead! I saw you at your worst when you didn’t even have the energy to stand up once all weekend at an event somewhere or other. You were frail; beyond description. Now you are brimming with life and energy and are truly transformed. I have just registered online to donate all of my organs and have included my good looks and hair. They’ll have to wait for you if they want chipmunk-style cheeks and a pan scrub hair-do! God bless you both, lovely peeps xx.’

That’s the evidence of how other people saw me. It also is evidence that people are listening to my message. Here is another milestone and a significant one to mention.
An Asian family contacted me to say that after reading ‘Second Chance’ all of them have now signed up to the Organ Donor Register. Thanks to all of you.

I have had many people inform me that they have also signed the register. I’m looking forward to your e-mail to tell me you have done so too. Once we make a commitment to help others, it will benefit our life. There are thousands of people in the world who are healthy today and illness will affect their lives join the future. Imagine if you were told ‘The only way you can survive will be a transplant’, and then you reflect that you have never thought of or are part of the donor registration system. Can you read the connotation within this statement? I hope so because life is for living and sharing is a fantastic way to say, ‘I care for you’.

It is fine for an individual to receive a donor’s organ even if they have never been part of the registry. I know this much, it’s get’s a whole lot easier if you have already made the commitment.

Illness is not easy; it can be an arduous journey. Illness is NOT a game; it is serious experience, and that is why Campbell Wallace has a loud voice. It is my desire for people to overcome the problem and return to health and future. If this means I have to coax a few people into action, so what. A kick in the pants often gets one moving.

Live Life Well

Campbell

Second Chance

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace

 

It has taken some time and although I have encountered few slight setbacks and delays ‘Second Chance’ is now available from Amazon in its paperback form.  Before I write further allow me to recap upon where ‘Second Chance’ is available. My book can be downloaded from Kindle or purchased as a paperback from Amazon books. Links are at the bottom of the static page of this WordPress site and the picture below will take you to Amazon.

Link to Amazon
Click on the cover to Link to Amazon

Sometimes we have to shout up! So allow me to post three unedited review’s received on the Amazon platform

A book is a difficult proposition. There are three obstacles – one is writing it, two is getting it into print – three is promoting it. Once steps one and two are complete the most difficult of all step three takes over completely. The writer is in the hands of the reader who has read the book.  He needs reviews and shares to make the book a success. It is my desire that, ‘Second Chance’ becomes a success not for a personal financial gain (although I’m not saying a few extra pounds would not go amiss!) The success I desire is for the messages my book has within its chapters.

We have to face the hard truth that we may be within a serious illness at some time in our life journey. There is also the probability that someone we love or know has to go through a long period of illness which will involve the inevitable tests to diagnose the problem and then may have to undergo one or more surgical procedures. This is why the book was written, not for myself, not for someone who has a passing interest in transplant surgery, but for everyone who is suffering a serious illness and is facing surgery of any type.

There are no miracle cures within this book, not every answer is given. In truth there is little no information or description of the tests or in-depth information with regard to any aspect of illness!  You may ask ‘Why not?’ I will answer ‘Because every illness is slightly different, each will be carried for in a different way’. What can be discovered within the pages are ways of making an illness easier to cope with. From my actual and all to real experience I can talk of the real certainties that need to be faced and how one can by clear appraisal work with ones illness, not ‘fight it’ – ‘understand it’.

If you know someone who is ill, if you know someone who is awaiting surgery or if you would like to enter into how I worked with and became well again ‘Second Chance’ will proved answers to important questions.

Allow me to show you an image – This is me in February 2012 – So you are under no doubt I will comment that I did not believe I had long to live.

Me Feb 2012

Below is the result of miracle of transplant surgery and our Health Service.

Me in 2015

The journey, the illness, the love which surrounds me can be found between the two pictures. You can read the factual story of my ‘Second Chance’.

I humbly ask you to share this post. I ask you share the post on FaceBook. Even if you do not know me you may know someone who is facing their own ‘Second Chance’.

Live Life Well

Campbell

The World Does Not Stop

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace
Flowers Continue To Grow!
Flowers Continue To Grow!

Those who are or have been seriously unwell sometimes discover the world does not stop for their illness.  It is part of the process, serious illness slows the body. In some cases it is so restrictive even walking across a room seems to be an ascent upon Mount Everest. You ask yourself ‘How will return to the summit of health?’ The answer is evasive but the love of life makes us determined to continue, and although we know it will be difficult we stay with the climb. We must realise ones external environment is in its normal and constant progression and, ones physical restrictions make you feel as if the world is leaving you behind.

Demons and imps enter the mind and play a game called fear.  You see this association with restrictions, slowing down, disability is a reminder of the reality that life has only one certain destination. The demons play their game, the imps undermine your confidence. In a way, these episodes are more fearful than the disease itself. Imagine the isolation in this way.  Family, friends and records of your life are on a platform and, the train has left the station, you are the only passenger on a train taking you into the unknown.

I’m sure everyone who has suffered a life threatening disease can relate to the sentiments in the first two chapters. Sadly some will feel unable to resolve the situation and the fear overwhelms the objective to return to health, by giving up, they allow the disease to take its course. I understand, why they do this.  Although there is a simple way to send the imps and demons back into to darkness where they belong. The way, is not to resist and fight, the way is to sit back, calm down and relax within the isolation. Take time to rest, take time to do as little as possible, take time to focus upon the illness and situation you have found yourself to be within. Not to analyse it, do not work out when or why. There is little point to this, there is every point to bringing peace and calm to yourself, your environment and those within it.

The isolation is to be taken advantage of. Those who are around you need to understand where you are ‘at’.  If they do not understand your true feelings, how can they help you in the way you would like them to? It becomes frustrating for a patient who desires to be in silence to reflect upon life around him, situations enjoyed and situations which all of a sudden no longer have the same effect and whilst they are silently thinking, those who surround him, ask ‘Are you alright?’ or ‘Is there anything I can do?’ I suspect they see you from their perspective and having no understanding of the way you feel, formulate incorrect assumptions of why you are just ‘silent’ and reflecting! Inevitably ‘tensions’ set the atmosphere and this can cause difficult moments. The situation can be easily dealt with by learning to talk about ones feelings with clarity and truth.

The strange paradox is illness teaches us potent life lessons. I think illness slows the patient down to enforce a state of rest, which will help him to recovery. I feel illness needs to be understood on many levels for example. When the demons and imps appear it is because the world is moving faster than the patient can cope with and if he attempts to catch up, stay with, hold onto what was once his normal ability or pace of life he will become frustrated and feel helpless.  From my observations I feel those around him believe the way to help is to keep the environment and way of life the same as it was before the illness became manifest.  It is not the same, many things are different. When the patient is allowed his own space and time without demands or fuss he will be in a better position to become well again. When those who care for him understand if he sees them living their lives in their ‘normal’ way he will not feel a burden to them. In other words careful a subtle adjustments to the routines, habits and timetables of those involved in the illness is how a sense of normality can be maintained. Once major changes to routines occur then the separation of the patient and carers becomes more evident. This ‘difference’ enforces the seriousness of the illness. I am not writing ignore it, or wash over it, I am indicating the possibility that carefully thought through and subtle changes to routines are better than major adjustments. In truth there are few of us who like major changes to our life pattern.

One life lesson of serious illness is communication.  The lesson is the carer must listen to the patients desire, read the word again ‘desire’.  If it is his desire to be allowed to sit and be silent. If it his desire to talk and relax. If it is his desire to be out with a group of friends or return to work. Allow him to know what is best for him.  In my case my family and friends allowed me to do as I wished, allowed me to live my life in my way.  It was of course necessary in the last months before my transplant for Carol to become very determined to make me eat so my body weight would increase and this was possibly one of the most difficult moments of the illness. It was important for my family to be with me and support me during the most difficult of times. They understood my desires, fears and the situation because I spoke to them about the situation (Carol of cause was with me during the consultations so she had an in depth understanding of the physiological aspects of my illness and treatment) and this is the lesson.  Its fine to be brave, to show no fear and show how strong you can be.  It is more intelligent to allow others to understand how you feel and allow others to listen to and accept your desires.

How much easier would life be if we were all open and glass clear with regard to our desires, fears, needs, expectations and objectives? Far form being restrictive this way of conducting ones life would be liberating.

Illness is a life lesson.

Live Life Well

Campbell

More thoughts about illness and how to survive it can be found in my book ‘Second Chance’ available on Kindle (click on the link below) and from the 22nd of July it will be available on the Amazon Book platform.

Looking Back

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace
Looking Back
Looking Back

When I wrote ‘Second Chance’ it was in truth a cathartic exercise.  I asked myself ‘Did this actually happen to me?’  From wellness to illness and then to be given a reprieve takes some thinking about. Especially when I consider people who become ill and do not win the battle for life, I often asked why I was the one who survived and there were others who did not.

It is an interesting thought. We all lose friends and family, it is inevitable. At the time there are feelings of injustice, why him? Why her? Then we have to reconcile the loss, for some this seems to be an impossible task. It is the process of life and by accepting not fighting this inevitability we become more able to work through these difficult moments.

When I faced the almost inevitable conclusion that I was going to die. I looked at my family, friends and those unknown humans that passed by and realised that it was possible that these incredible connections would soon be closed to my eyes and ears. This is a dark and lonely place. This feeling of separation, it is like the connecting gap between your own being and theirs is widening.

The most difficult month was the December before my transplant. I had previously received two calls to go to the hospital as there were lungs available for transplant and on both these occasions it was decided by the team the transplant was not going to happen.

So I entered the darkest hour, the silent and reflective moments before the dawn. In this darkness I thought of the fact there had been two potential transplants and what possibility for a third? The odds were against me and, of course I was as always fully aware that a tragedy would have to occur for me to have a second chance.

In all probability I was not going to make it. My health was slipping and the equation was against me. You have to be fit enough to undergo the surgery and being as ill as I was the balance of possibility was quickly becoming weighted against me. If you wish to know what a condemned man is thinking in his final hours ask me, for I believe I know. It is a reflection upon all that has been before, the rights, the wrongs, the sadness and more than anything the happiness. It is the great moment of life which see you through. The poor moments are the ones which make you angry! The lesson learnt here has never left me and it makes me enjoy my life to the full, every second, minute and hour. Waste not one, because in the time you look back you will discover the moments you have wasted, arguing, fighting, making the wrong choices will be the ones that make your perspective of life change, and for many there is no possibility to make amends.

In this silence, darkness and despondency I realised that we have to go into deep and fearful depressions. We have to enter a place in the mind where our fears overwhelm our hopes. It is to me like the athlete who has two miles to go on his training route. All of his friends are enjoying their lives, eating what they like, neglecting their bodies and the runner is in the rain, the evening is setting in, its has been a hard day at work and here he is, alone, running and hurting, in training for a race that he may not win.

In my darkness there were guiding lights. Carol, my family and friends. They are the like stars in the sky navigators use. They draw you back, calm you down, pull you out of the darkness. I am certain we become stronger, more understanding when returning from the stillness of fear. Especially if we do not fight it, go with it see where it takes you. Strange thing is, fear becomes tired with those who do not fight it.

If you look back in life, see the good. Your inner bing knows all about the difficulties. Realise that to enter situations where anger or frustration is the outcome are wasteful of your life. Do not make excuses, move on, love what you have do not concern yourself with things you can do nothing about. I can write, not from a place of speculation, I can write from a place of certainty that happiness and love truly are the precious jewels. No diamond sparkles like life. No wealth can cure death. If you take one lesson from me today it is this. Enjoy your life and I mean life, breath, the world around you. Take advantage of what I experienced. Yes, it was difficult but I know this much, in your darkest hour, you are becoming stronger, not weaker. Night turns to day we continue our journey. Always give yourself a Second Chance.

If you click on the link to my book at the bottom of this page, you will be able to read the reviews. They humble me and give me an incredible feeling of well-being. Thank you all for downloading and reading my book. For those of you who want the paperback, please email me with your information and I will inform you when it is available. If you have any questions about fear or how to live with serious illness email me and it is possible I that I will post the answer on this WordPress site.

Live Well – Campbell

It Is A High Mountain

Posted on by mrcampbellwallace

It is a high mountain.

From taking of notes, to a 100 page book is a difficult climb. It is like viewing a picturesque scene. We see a mountain range. As we become nearer to it, it becomes evident the peaks are further away than imagined. The climb begins and we realise getting to the summit is going to be a long process. From a distance it seems the advance will take a day. The reality is in fact weeks of endeavour is needed to reach the summit.

I have climbed the mountain ‘Second Chance’ is now complete.

The process was far more involved than imagined. The next time you enter a book shop, consider you are looking at a mountain range, when you pick up the book you are at the bottom of the climb and the writer has had to plan and map the route.  He or she has to write, edit, write some more. Prune again, grow some more and then the writer realises there is an important aspect missing and another chapter is added. At some point the writer has to stop or the book will never be finished. There is much more to write and common sense say’s ‘The reader will understand’. When the decision is made, the writer is at the summit. The view from the top is spectacular. Now the flag needs to be unravelled, an announcement made. People will buy the book, read it, recommend it, buy it as a gift. It is written for everyone who is seriously ill and facing major surgery. It is also written for the family and friends of those who are ill.

My book ‘Second Chance’ it is a true story. A real life experience and a complex one. At some point during the writing of ‘Second Chance’ I realised how many people are involved in the story. It is humbling, thought provoking, enlightening to consider the incredible kindness and dedication of those who worked to give me my second chance of life. Certain ways of thinking about the different aspects have to be expressed in a clear way which can be understood. Aspects such as the donor, transplant team, family, recovery, finances are all part of the story and one has, to some degree become emotionally separated from the events so the ideas have an impact and are thought provoking. As a result the book is written, re-written, proofread and amended. I am amazed to discover the proofreader, does not get the manuscript word perfect first, second or even third time around. If you are a writer you’ll understand this.

The objective was for ‘Second Chance’ to fulfil a purpose. It is a body of ideas, which combine the emotional, personal aspects with the hard facts. A lady asked me ‘Campbell, I’m awaiting a transplant, how do you cope with the tragedy of the donors death?’ The answer to her question is found within the book. Not as a definitive answer (this cannot be possible) there is a subjective opinion. The essence of which is life is precious and survival is within the core of every humans psyche. It is my personal feeling, a seed of thought, a meditation. ‘Second Chance’ is not a hand book of recovery. The book does not offer miracle cures or definitive answers. It is a book of thanks, celebration of life, determination to overcome fear. My book is about, love, friendship and human resolve. My words are intentionally forthright, serious illness is not a game, reality and facing facts are powerful medicines.

You are able to download ‘Second Chance’ from the link below. Click on the book image it will take you to kindle. The paperback copy will be available shortly. If you wish to be informed with regard to availability email me at campbell-wallace@hotmail.com .

See you soon – Live well

Campbell