Derek Chambers

30 September 2011 Update No 3. on Derek Chambers Through an exchange of Emails with Derek's Son, Mark, who is now based in Malta, I have an update on Derek' situation:

"Dad, physically, is in not bad shape just now, but desperately unhappy at being in a Care Home. He tries all sorts of tricks to find a way out of the Care Home. ("This sounds just like a Blaisdon Old Boy. JW). The nurses said this type of behaviour is common in Vascular Dementia patients and will subside. These patients are less comfortable with the progression in their illness than regular Dementia sufferers. The staff are just being extra vigilant till he settles. I see a big difference in his mental faculties this last few months. Unless directly stimulated by conversation he will just sit and stare into space for long periods, and if you do engage him in conversation, his answers are often senseless. He is reticent to call for help from the nurses when he needs it, and suffers from not doing so.

Mum is still a bit under the weather, purely due to being worried about Dad, which is understandable, but frustrating. However Mum is slowly on the mend."

Derek we really missed you and your family at the Summer Reunion and look forward to a future possibility. You can be assured of our prayers for you and all your family that matters will soon return to a more stable situation. JW

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Update No. 2 on Derek Chambers I have now received an update on Derek and his wife, Doreen. The good news is that Derek's wife, Doreen, is now home from her short hospital stay. Cards may be sent to Doreen Chambers at 65 Springfield Drive, Elgin, Moray, IV30 6XZ. The whole family is so disappointed at not being able to be with us in August, but hope to come on another occasion.

For the time being it is advised that no contact be made directly with Derek, to enable him to settle in safely into his new environment.. Mark and family are indeed much comforted by our prayers and kind thoughts. Clearly we need to keep up the prayers for Derek as his future is somewhat uncertain at this time.

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14 August 2011 Update on Derek Chambers and Family I have received an Email from Derek's son, Mark, to advise me that, very sadly, Derek and his family will not be able to come to the Reunion after all. I know a few regulars were really looking forward to Derek and his family's attendance Mark's Email explains all. As soon as I get Hospital, Care Home, or Family home addresses I will add these to this website. Derek has now based in Malta for hid drilling rig company work. Derek's Email:

"Dear John,

I have bad news, I'm afraid we are not going to be able to attend the Reunion weekend in two weeks time. Dad's condition took a turn for the worse a couple of weeks ago and he became too much for Mum to handle. She had what seems now to have been a stress related attack but was originally thought to be a stroke, anyway, she collapsed and was taken to hospital. Dad was taken into hospital too and they have advised Mum to leave him in care. He has now been transferred to a care home that specialises in Dementia/Alzheimer type patients. He has apparently calmed down dramatically once removed from the 'disruptive excitement' of home. We have been advised to not even visit him for a while to allow him to adjust which is a hard one to swallow; I hope that really is for his benefit and not just to make their job easier. They have a good reputation locally though so I have to trust them. I am now back at work but my wife Tracy is over in Scotland and on hand if Mum needs anything. Mark

Please keep Derek and his family in your kind thoughts an prayers, especially in your prayers as it seems things are very serious for Derek and his wife.

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Thanks to Mark, Derek's son and other members of Derek's family who have helped to create the Profile of Derek, we are delighted to add another Personal Profile of one of our older Old Boys.

Derek has only recently discovered that we have a thriving Old Boys Association and was delighted to be able to join us. We are equally delighted that Derek has joined and we are hoping to See Derek and his family at our August Annual Reunion in 2011. Their names are already listed in our SignApp page on our Blaisdon Website. Derek is sure to meet many who will remember working with him in the Garden, especially Len Carter and others who were with him at his pre-Blaisdon home.

To read Derek's Profile Click here