Hi All,

I wrote an e-mail the other day with an update, but before it was sent, things have changed. So, now I am re-writing it!

I was scheduled to fly home to N.I. on Tuesday, then it was postponed to next Monday (15th October). However, I have had a setback, and so now it appears we'll be here for another 2 weeks.

First of all there is one item for praise. As you may or may not be aware I had a large pulmonary embolism sitting in my pulmonary artery (or a clot for those who are non medical persons). This was the main concern regarding flying me home. I had a CT Scan on Monday to see where it was, and praise The Lord it has dissolved completely. So I am delighted about that good news.

I had the remaining stitches removed from my face on Tuesday, one of which was right in my eye and it irritated me to the point of distress, and so having that removed made all the difference. The reason for that stitch, for those who were wondering, was because my tear duct had been severed in 2, so it was keeping it all together.

Now to the setback, well just when I was feeling a lot better and all the tubes had been removed, I have once again dislocated my hip. I have no idea how, as I am completely bed bound. Tomorrow ( Friday 12th) I am going to theatre to have it manipulated and I have to be in traction for 2 weeks here before the doctor will allow me to fly home. Mum and I are feeling a bit depressed as we were both looking forward to leaving next Monday.

However, it is all part of God's plan and we just have to accept it. The pain is excruciating, like nothing I've experienced, so now I'll have more sympathy for my patients. For once I am looking forward to having the op to alleviate the pain.

But I'm being visited regularly by a lovely little group of Christians - (long story of contact), but they are being so kind to Mum and I and I feel really blessed. They have been a great encouragement to us.

Thanks to everyone who has prayed and are praying - please continue to do so. I have good days and bad days, but know that God is Sovereign. He is in control and He has a plan in all of this.

Anyway I'll be in touch again sometime, some ways, but please feel free to forward this to others as necessary.

Chris - please send this to all on my prayer list
Rachel or Viv - please update Helen and Esther. I cannot contact anyone by cell phone and am receiving messages to Mum's phone. Mum cannot "top-up" her phone here for some unknown reason, and so we are basically 'out of reach'

With much love to you all
Helen

I received this email from Helen's sister in England. Helen has been given the all clear to come home, and the hospital are making travel arrangements. She is still in need of much prayer, as South Africa to Northern Ireland is long distance to travel, especially for someone in Helen's condition. Thank you for all your prayers.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Hi Chris

I spoke to mum on Monday and Helen was meant to be coming home on Tuesday but had not had the all clear from the doctors in Jo'burg. She had a scan on Tuesday and has been pronounced fit to fly so they are waiting to get her on a flight. Mum thinks it will be this week. They are flying Joburg to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Dublin and then ambulance up from Dublin to hospital in Belfast, probably either the City or the Ulster. They have to remove 7 rows of seats on the plane to get the stretcher in which is why they have to come back by such  a strange route. It will be mum, Helen and 2 nurses making the trip. Mum said she will be in touch when they get back to NI so you should hear something very soon.

Thanks for all your help and prayers

Lorraine