Living Life to the Fullest

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Lewis,

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing Alex to the world. He’s indeed an inspiration. I am a fellow Aquarian who also loves life and travel and like Alex, my family and friends means the world to me. Though I didn’t know your son personally, halfway across the world he has changed my life forever. Every time I remember his story it lifts me up. And it makes me weep with joy knowing in my heart that angels do exist.

I have written a couple of entries on my blog dedicated to Alex. Hopefully more people gets to hear his story. The world will be a much better place if there are more people like Alex!

Before I saw the documentary on BBC 3, I always lived life with apprehension. Now I have learned to let go of worries and fears. Now, I try and do something new everyday however scary it may seem to me.

Thank you Alex for reminding me that every waking day is a blessing and that each new day should be lived like it’s the last! I will forever be grateful. Gezellig!

Best regards,
Karla Stride

Blog entries dedicated to Alex:

Living Life to the Fullest & BBC 3 Documentary: Alex – A Life Fast Forward

Alex – A Life Fast Forward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW7DXGArYZU

Inspiring!!

I have just watched the BBC documentry about Alex and all i can say is what an amazing person!! Whilst watching it i couldnt help but feel extremely sad for the whole family having to deal with knowing such an amazing person may not have that long to live however after watching the whole film that sadness turned into something much more positive. He was truly blessed, what amazing friends and family alike and left his life being made what looked like the happiest man alive by his beautiful wife who also is a true inspiration! Towards the end of the film, although not there in person Alex seemed to live on in spirit.

Truly Inspiring.
My thoughts go out to all of his friends and family.
Godbless xx

Untitled

Ali and family, I’ve watched the documentary quite a few times now – what you had and what you still have is beautiful.

Alex was and you are truly amazing, brave, strong and courageous people as are both of your families. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey, I must admit I cried many times as i’m sure you did – you couldn’t not find it hugely emotional. I did clap lots when you got married!!

I wish Alex was still alive and you could spend the rest of your lives together…the only thing there is to do is move forward – I’m so glad to see how many people want to do something to respect and honour Alex’s and your name and i’ll be sure to get involved in supporting the Bone Cancer Research Trust and anything else I can do to help in every possible way I can – whatever I can do. My brother was also born at the JR.

Thanks again for something which actually gave me a huge amount of strength through yours and Alex’s strength. Your documentary shows how love can get you through anything and defies every norm! It just took me a while to fully understand the true extent of Alex’s legacy. I hope and I pray that the drug companies get their act together and I will be pushing it as much as I can!

Ben

Life Affirming

I didnot know Alex but watched the film Alex A Life Fast Forward the other night. I cannot get over his courage and spirit and that of those around him. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all and allowing us to be inspired by this brave and beautiful man’s story. My mother died of cancer when I was a child and she too was much loved and her memory has lived on as Alex’s will. It is the quality of the man that will live on. I will urge all I know to watch on iplayer and contribute to the Trust so we can beat this cruel disease once and for all. With all my love and thanks Susan Edwards

gezillig

When the programme had finished I was overwhelmed with a sense of an ‘aliveness’ for life that only Alex knew (in my experience) so there was no way I could contemplate that he was no longer smiling that beaming joyous gentle warm and loving smile. For those he touched whether in real life or through the programme, we are blessed. And GEZILLIG lives forever. I loved Ali’s matching tattoo. So so sweet. Thank you family and friends for your wonderful contributions, and yes Alex thank you….you shining star.

I know the feeling…

I’m sitting watching “A Life Fast Forward” and I felt compelled to do a search for Alex. I’m so sorry to see that he has passed away.

I was a regular 28 year old in 2003 when I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a heart condition which causes the heart to grow larger than is usual and it cannot therefore pump properly. The doctors think I contacted a virus whilst in Africa which attacked my heart. Unlucky me. However I was graced with a heart transplant after only a few weeks on the transplant list in September 2003, but my life has radically changed since that time. I take a lot of drugs to stop my body rejecting my new heart, and unfortunately one of the side effects of these intensive drug courses is an increased susceptibility to cancer. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2005, and had an operation and radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

So I can fully understand how Alex must have felt. The cancer treatment is tough. My life is limited as with any transplant, it is not a cure, but a prolonging of the inevitable. I am glad Alex and Ali found love before the end. I married in 2004 and have since had two children, with another one due next week. So I have been blessed, due to the thoughtful actions of a family who let their son or father or brother lend me their heart for a few years. Thank you.

I live life to the full. I’ve traveled the world; had many experiences; met so many amazing people. I have some wonderful friends and family that support me, and I can see the positivity that surrounded Alex. I hope people will see this positive attitude and apply it to their lives. Life is so precious, and we should all try to live the best life we can. Remember the good times, and celebrate a life that was lived.

If there is a heaven, I look forward to meeting you, Alex; I think we could have a good chat.