For all Dalene's friends

[Bertie Horak]

I just spoke to Dalene, and she asked me to post some info on her behalf.

First of all she wants to thank all Oranjemunders for all the good wishes, messages, phone calls and prayers.  She really appreciates it very much and knows that there's many positive thoughts coming from all corners of the world.

Dalene also asked me to update you on her son's condition.  As you know, he was in a terrible car accident when the car rolled early Sunday morning.  His condition was too serious to treat locally, hence he was airlifted to Cape Town and is currently in the UCT Private hospital (ward D).  Last night they arrived at the hospital around 7pm, and he was stabilized, X-rayed, and also had pins attached to his skull to prevent any movement of his neck before they could do any scans.
The doctors were worried at first that his main artery (aorta) and even his heart was also damaged because he had a severely low blood pressure and irregular heart beat, but fortunately they saw on the scan today that it was due to a fractured chest bone (sternum) which caused bleeding around the heart, and it looks like there's no direct damage to the heart or vessels.  There were some trauma to his pancreas as well, so his blood sugar levels were also erratic. His blood pressure and sugar levels are controlled with medication, but it looks much better today.
He's able to speak when the sedation works out, but unfortunately as yet he has absolutely no movement or sensation from the chest down.  We are hoping that this is due to swelling in the neck, and that the damage is not too severe.  They managed to align the 6th and 7th neck vertebrae slightly to relieve pressure, and he is scheduled for the neck operation tomorrow (Tuesday) at around 11h30.  I believe we will all be saying our prayers around that time, hey!

Dalene is very happy with the treatment her son is receiving in the hospital - staff, doctors, professors, everybody very professional and she feels comfort by the fact that her son is in the best hands possible.  Me myself was also pleasantly surprised by the efficiency, organized manner of the hospital's ICU ward and in general, as well as cleanliness all round.

Just one last thought - none of the Toyota's 3 airbags popped out in the accident, with the resulting fractured sternum and damage to the underlying organs.  I think Toyota should be severely wrapped over the knuckles - since Dalene specifically loves Toyotas for their safety features....

Lets all pray and believe - the doctors don't want to give Dalene false hope, but they seem to be quite positive in general.  Lets all send this positive energy to join Dalene's amazing positive outlook and strength, and I am sure we will hear more positively great news as time goes on!

So from Dalene (who will try and get to an internet cafe tomorrow) :
THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND GOOD WISHES!!!!  KEEP 'EM COMING!!!!

[Michael Alexander]

Thanks for the update Bertie, Lets hope for the best!

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

Bertie - thanks for the update!

Dalene - still thinking about you all and praying for you, your son, husband and daughter!

The saying "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" is such a cliche at this time but having lost a brother six years ago this month to a car accident and having my dad diagnosed with leukemia exactly a year later allows me to speak from experience. Just hang in there okay!

[SandyB]

Thanks  for the update Bertie .. youre a gem  especially taking the time to go see Dalene personally ,,, me on a personal level  still avoid hospitals  ,,, but told  Dalene  that once  all looking good and stable  to take a break and  visit ,,,, we close by ...

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Thanx so much for that Bertie. Here's sending prayers out for to-morrow.

[toonfandangl]

This will be a very trying time for Dalene and family, Good luck and a speedy recovery for all of them.

[Barbara Eia (Brownless)]

Thanks for update Bertie,

Delene and family thinking of all of you and praying that everything goes well tomorrow.

[Sylvia Brünner]

Thinking of you today and I hope everything will go as expected. Sylvia

[Mike Voden (RIP)]

Hi Dalene and family

We are thinking of you all, especially your son, and hope and pray that the neck operation this morning is a success and that he recovers fully.

Mike & Jenny

[Stevie]

Hi Dalene  & Family

We will   left  the   operation   in  the   hands  of   our  DEAR LORD   and  all will go   well . Trust  in  him .

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Hello everyone,

I have no words to say thank you  -  for all your love, support, good wishes and prayers. 

Boet is still in theatre now.  As Bertie said -  in an internet cafe now to update and thank you all in person.

I will let Bertie know again what the progress is after the operation and also ask him to update on my behalf.

Thank you Bertie for your visit at the hospital and for what you do.

Then  -  Susan   ---- my friend  -- thank you for everything you do for me. 
Typical  -  she wants to feed me to death !!!!    She's transporting me all around town and stands by me like a mother hen !!!    She sends all her best wishes to you all and also says thank you to you lot for all your love and support via sms, messages and your postings here.

I will try to log on again a bit later in the week again and just chat with you all about the progress.

To everyone here in CT  -  thanks for your offers.  Sandy  -  you remain "'n staatmaker"  -  all your calls and messages !! 

Love to you all.....   and please keep praying.

[Bertie Horak]

Hi guys, just a quick update from Dalene!

Her son is out of theater after an operation that lasted more than 4 hours.  The vertebrae were fused and the pins from his head removed.  He is currently on the ventilator and heavily sedated - will probably stay on the machines and sedation until tomorrow.  It might be a stay of about 3-4 days in ICU, after which he will be transferred to a rehab ward.
Dalene hasn't spoken to the doctors yet, they are busy with other ops at the moment, but she will let us know if there's any more news.
Let's be positive and await the good news!
Dalene is very tired and emotionally drained.  Hopefully she will be able to rest a bit now that the operation is over and the traumatic event has become an accepted fact and part of reality in the path of life.  Remember Dalene herself has just recovered from surgery herself...  Tough little lady this Dalene of ours.
Be sure we are all constantly thinking of you and your family!!!

[Michele Alexander (Voden)]

Hi Dalene - we've been offline all day here today - have been so desperate to get online to see how the op went and how you are doing. Hopefully the worst is behind you now and Boet can start on his road to recovery. Don't worry - we will still be with you every moment!

[Alfred Boehme]

Alle sterkte Dalene

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Just had to get out the ICU ward for a walk.
They're bringing him round slowly, but he is very agitated at the moment and tries to pull the tubes from his mouth and the IV pipes from his arms.  He tries to speak to me, but he can't so he gets upset and frustrated.  Ja, as mamma I can't help to cry when I see my child like this.
He is still on morphine and insulin.  They have just done some tests to test reaction and neuron progress, but unfortunate till now there is still no feeling from his chest down.  No one can say at this stage if it will be permanent, for there was damage to the spinal cord, but it is not possible to say to what extent.

I thank you all so much for your support and good wishes and messages and phone calls.  It means so much to me to know how you care.

I will keep you updated as we go on.  For now the plan is to take him off the lung machine this afternoon.  Then keep him in ICU for 2 or 3 days before they take him to the rehabilitation unit.  A pshycyatrist and therapist has already been appointed to him.