What A Difference A Year Makes

I read a lot of articles in Linkedin and feel it is a great medium in which to share views, experiences and try to support the development, needs or thoughts of others. This was the major motivator for me to share my experiences over the past 12 months, hopefully to give others strength, faith and belief that no matter how bad things are, count our blessings, focus on family needs first, then things can be rebuilt around your situation changes.

In September 2017, I was working for a company named Vesuvius. In January 2017, I was presented with a 30 years service award recognising my combined service in Foseco (1987-2008) and thereafter from 2008 until January 2017. I had been the principle driver of a major HSE improvement programme for the global business. I had been responsible for building a very strong team of HSE professionals to meet our business needs, designing, developing and delivering a business-specific HSE risk reduction programme called Safety Breakthrough, engaging Management and all employees - over 15,000 globally in addition to around 5,000 contractors.

My role from 2008 until 2013 had been global, with around 80% of my time international travel, training, developing teams, establishing best practice standards and making positive improvements in multi-cultural high-risk environments. From 2013, I focused initially on Europe, Middle East, South Korea, Japan and Australia. Until my departure in December 2017, I continued to lead a number of Business improvement HSE initiatives including raising awareness in customer locations, improved solvent, dust and vibration controls and most importantly Permit to Work systems.

Life was good and possibly too comfortable in many ways. Our new CEO recognised the next step in our HSE development was to decentralise HSE more and return more responsibility and accountability to the business units we operate. This allowed substantial cost and over 30 heads of senior managers to be taken out of the business. I was one of those people.

Nobody wants to feel unwanted. Especially after having given so much to making a positive difference to our business needs. I gave so much to make a difference. However, at the same time as this business change occurring, an even greater challenge came to me and my family. My beautiful wife, Christine, has always supported me totally. my career success and progress would not have been possible without her support and sacrifice. She is the reason we have two wonderful grown up kids now - aged 28 and 25. My rock, my ally and my inspiration. A few days before finding out about my job loss, she had been recalled for a mammogram. We were asked to visit our local hospital in Burton and the news was bad - she had breast cancer.

For the rest of the day we found out, there were tears and fears from Chris, me, our lovely kids and close family and friends. We are a strong unit when we need to be and this was going to test things to the full. We let our emotions out and agreed, tomorrow we fight.

We went to a fantastic facility in Burton and she received wonderful love, care and support all the way through pre-operation preparation. In the meantime, I was asked to meet with my boss, the President of Operations, Patrick Bikard. he was the one who had to break the news to me about my job. We are quite close and honest with each other, having developed a strong work relationship and mutual respect over 10 years together. He felt for us and was openly upset at both sets of news we shared.

The company were as supportive as they could be for me. I sat with Chris and told her straight. You are not in this alone. I am here all the time you need me. It is time for me to put you first. I spent the next eight months attending every bit of treatment and hospital time with her I could.

She had her first operation on 19th December in Burton. Not the nicest of Christmas vacations for her but our son, Andy and his equally lovely sister, Lizzie, did the cooking and enabled mum to convalesce as instructed.

The cancer was at an advanced stage but could be removed safely. Additionally, two lymph glands were removed and checks for spread of the cancer. One came back negative and one positive. On review, it was decided, Chris would need a second surgery to remove all of her lymph glands and to share some more of the cells away where the potential for cancer spread remained. With no complaints, my lovely lady had a second operation at the end of January.

Having completed this and followed all post operation instructions, it was horrible for Chris but she never complained or felt sorry for herself. She had moments, as most people do, but held things together I think largely to keep us strong.

The care and support Chris received was unbelievably strong. We owe so much to so many people for their love and support. However, care and support was to be taken to even greater heights as we became regular visitors to Burton Cancer Ward - initially for her Chemotherapy and 12 month course of herceptin jabs, between which Derby visits for Radiotherapy.

In August, her treatments ended. The most humbling and choking moment for me was when she "rang the bell" in the Derby Radiotherapy Ward - then we went for a celebratory breakfast in Burton!

I had not been pushing hard for a new job as my total focus was the recovery of Chris and equally of concern, my middle brother, Andrew, had a work accident and was lucky not to lose his leg. Supporting them both mentally and physically had my utmost attention and mindset.

I had to keep my HSE involvement active. I had some great career support from Jo Thurman, my career coach at Personal Career Management. A great organisation and highly competent lady. I shared my current priorities with Jo and received some strong and supportive career advice. I attended the SHE Show North East and submitted a paper on my work in Hyundai Steel, Dingshan, South Korea. Vicki, Max Washington and their team were really supportive and helpful to me. Similarly, Shirley Parsons and her wonderful team gave me inspiration and support with a few potential roles for me to apply for - unfortunately, the timing was wrong. I had some great contact with HSE recruiters and professionals from other companies and cannot state what great people we have out there in the UK to support HSE professionals needs. I remained in regular contact with good established workmates like Ian Frost, Nigel Graham and other international contacts - even as far afield as my wonderful mates Alan Upton and Brian Fox in Oz!

I became an Ambassador for the International Institute for Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), giving back to others where and how I can. I registered for a Level 2 NCFE course in Mental Health Awareness, to try to support Chris and Andy (my bro) as much as I could in their mental rehabilitation. I applied for a few jobs to keep my interview skills honed, but my only short-term driver was the recovery and recuperation of my family members.

Wayne Lawton, a fellow HSE professional looking for a direction change, contacted me about establishing a business together, Defining Evolution. Unfortunately, my main focus remained Chris and Andy so it never materialised as it should have.

In March 2018, I received an e-mail from the IIRSM telling me I had been nominated for the inaugural Risk Excellence Award for Best International Risk Initiative. My nomination came from two of my former Vesuvius colleagues and team members. I was both honoured and humbled. These two guys in particular (Ian and Nigel) are up there with the best mates anyone could ask for (Alan, Brian and the Jono Boys as well then!)

In April 2018, I found out i had been short-listed for an Award from the IIRSM, which would be presented in May 2018 in London. I arranged to attend as it did not interfere with Christine or Andy's hospital visits. I was truly humbled and honoured to receive this accolade - reflecting not so much my achievements - but those of my workmates and team who really made a difference in Vesuvius global HSE and risk reduction.

At this point, Christine was well into her treatments. Her hair was gone and suffering extended to a number of aches, pains, swelling legs, weight increase and feeling bloated and low energy. I supported her as much as I could but eventually, as time passed, she overcame and recovered from these effects. The chemotherapy treatment she received FEK-T, was two parts, it was the second part which was most aggressive. She overcame that and more. What a battler.

One of the most amazing things we experienced, was the support and affection received not only from the nurses, doctors and staff in the respective units, but from the fellow sufferers and their families. Some informal bond and support came from other people we developed relationships in the ward, but also from family and friends who had or were experiencing similar treatment needs. It was sad how many youngsters were there with us.

Chris was a little concerned at first about hair loss. However, being the loving husband I am, we had a really nice wig selected for her to wear. She was much more comfortable wearing bandana and only wore the wig out once to a performance of Les Miserables at Lichfield Cathedral - complaining it was too hot and she thought it kept moving up making her look like a "Conehead"!

The rest of the family have all had a shot wearing the wig though! Her father, brothers, sisters, in laws etc. and me especially (having little hair on top these days!) have had some good fun together and used it as a morale booster.

In August, a fine company named ESAB were looking for a Global Environmental Leader. This is an area I have covered for over 20 years along side my risk and health and safety work. I was contacted by a real gent named Peter Elleman - ESAB EHS Director. He explained what he was after and we bonded almost immediately. I came off the phone and said to Chris. That was my next boss I was just talking with!

I was invited to visit the USA for interview and to meet with the Americas EHS Director, Sam Shukla. Another real gent, with over 30 years service in the Indian army. I was offered the role, with around 50% travel, home based and I began my new role in September.

I am already contributing as much as possible and really enjoying it! I have met new colleagues in Europe, the Americas, India and look forward to bringing about sustainable environmental benefits to my new business.

I remain in contact with old Vesuvius colleagues but see a bright, challenging and rewarding future with my new role and my fully recovered beautiful wife. Her hair has come back thicker and different colours (I would love her without the hair anyway!!) Our family has rode another storm making us even stronger bonded as a consequence. To add icing on the cake, we have a new puppy - aptly named Max, a border collie from my nephew's dogs first litter bringing even more energy and revitalisation to us all! My brother Andrew is back working. Several operations and skin grafts has made his injury more visually acceptable and we continue in closer contact with family and friends who have been a great support to us throughout - especially my cousin Elaine in Scotland.

I apologise if this is long and heart felt. Never give up no matter how tough life's challenges are. Stick together and value family needs first then everything else can be shaped around these needs.

We have decided to make up for this past year by enjoying next year even more! It is our 30th anniversary so we are going to have some real fun together and with the family!

Thank you for those who chose to read this. Wishing you good health, love and happiness with those you love and care for. x x