Letter to Employer / Staff - (Late July)

Another overwhelming factor has been the support from my MD, the directors and management. Not only is it a huge burden lifted, to have their support, but a source of encouragement. Below is an email I sent senior management:

"Esteemed Colleagues!By now, you will all have been informed of my recent health developments and I wish this quick note to be a closing of this informative stage, whereby you are all brought up to speed news-wise. I shall thereafter endeavour to keep you up do date where relevant for work purposes only. Having said that, I am not shy and personal on the matter and will happily discuss progress with anyone interested.

This week I am being treated as if the problem were a mere temporary kidney rejection, but this is really just to eliminate the possibility that it may be a rejection...the diagnosis remains in all probability, full renal failure.The greatest impact to date has been the emotional one, but as each day passes, I accept that I cannot change anything and must make a choice on attitude. I am blessed, much to the detriment of my wife's sanity, with a natural positiveness in life in general and while I am certainly depressed about this, and suffering the physical ills and symptoms daily, I will take this on chin up! It has, and will continue to be a trying time for Lee-Anne and I, and my biggest worry and concern was how the news would be received by my 'employer of only two months'!

This biggest worry has subsequently become my biggest source of encouragement and we are now overwhelmed by the care and support received, firstly by Andrew and his directors, as well as the rest of the bunch. Thank you all very much, from us both.This whole matter has a double-edged sword cliche attached, in that I have been down this road before, I know what it entails, I did it once and I can do it again. The flip side...I know what it entails! But, with the support of friends, family and colleagues alike, I am better enamoured to tackle this situation as best I can so that it impacts as little on my life as possible, both on the home and work fronts. As I mentioned to Andrew, I demand no sympathy nor do I expect special favours, I ask only for your understanding and support. In return, my goals are ensuring that down the line I am perceived as a valued asset to this organisation in spite of the Achilles heel and hopefully, will become an inspiration to others.