A single mother of three who lives in Vorna Valley was shot through the back while lying face down on the ground in her home and is still in critical but stable condition in the Johannesburg General Hospital. It's been a month's battle for Gillian Lindsell (42), a Midrand Damelin lecturer who underwent various operations to save her life. Family and friends appeal to everyone to keep her in their prayers. To make a difference please follow the link below. Gillian Lindsell (left) with her daughters Kimberley, Robyn and Caitlin in happier times. Our prayers are with you Gillian. (Please read on to keep updated on Gillian's progress & become an Angel Company or Individual)

View & Join The Gillian Lindsell Angel Companies Below

Companies Who Have Pledged To Assist With R50 or more Will Be listed Here as An Angel Company. Oink is asking you to match or better our pledge. Please do not hand over cash to anyone but rather make your contribution directly to Gillian's Account. Gillian Lindsell, ABSA, branch code 632005, Account No. 712660317. Please note that a full list of companies & individuals assisting Gillian and her family has not been forwarded for publication. Please keep Oink updated of contributors and links to their websites where applicable. Anyone helping Gillian will get a free link where applicable.

A Comprehensive Summary And Message To Gill's Army

Click Here For Full Update for August & September on Gill's progress

Gillian Lindsell – A New Beginning - Gill's Page To Tell It As It Is if she wants to. All new info will be contained within this link as from 15 September.

Update 03 Sept '09 from Russ: I have just seen Gill (Doug, her Dad, and Anne - who was involved in the incident in the house) were with her as well. The tracheotomy has been removed but not sealed, oxygen is still being blown through the hole. Gill was cleaned up today and the abdominal wound taped closed. We were told that Gill will be closed up tomorrow in theatre. This is indeed great great news. Still in ICU but at last being closed up, after a month ! God is great and prayer is power. Her army that have not stopped praying for her are to all thank for this. Thank you all for this good news. Do not stop praying ! (Russ - Gill's brother).

Update From Mandy: Sat. 29 at 6am ...

I visited with Gill yesterday afternoon and she was wide awake; trying to speak, but difficult to with the tube in her mouth ... she wrote a couple of things down; is coherent and full of nonsense. Now all we need to do is learn to lip read. (The sign language we could understand :)) We laughed about the good old days and she was in good spirits. Not out of the woods yet, but the best I have seen her todate. I am sure Russell will update everyone as he came in as I was leaving. Please still keep her in your thoughts.

Click Here To Visit Gillian's Facebook Page

Click Here For The Story & Comments On www.thetimes.co.za

Update from Russ (Gill’s brother) Thurs. 27 Aug'
”Lorna and Doug and Mike saw Gill today in visiting hours:

Gill was as animated as yesterday and more so. Mike and the girls also saw Gill. She was communicating well but cannot speak. Just snippets - Gill wanted to get out of bed and move, Gill wanted to have her hands untied so she could move. Gill was laughing but also stressed by her environment. Gill is still under medication for pain. Gill got p-ed off by the nurses and pulled her tongue out at them behind their backs - oi Gilli, slow down baby! (I heard that the finger even came out at one point!) How do we know this lady? No, surely it is just the over medication!!!? The fact that Gill is as lively as she is is a great sign of recovery and improvement, however, (and there is ALWAYS a damn HOWEVER, in these things), the infection is still there. Another HOWEVER though is that the 2 infections she has, which have had cultures drawn and are being treated for specifically, are "under control but not healed and over yet" - The drainage system is working well and that is all in place, as the clot filter, so simply put, what she has is KNOWN and being treated. With her spirit and guts and gutzpah, my sis will show this whole thing the way to the door. She is ONLY in the place that she is in her head and health-wise because of her army and troops, all be assured of that. We have seen your prayers come true and help her and carry her through many many days and weeks of torture and helplessness. The Jhb Gen have done a superior job and the nurses, and health care workers, God Bless them, have done their best. The doctors are simply GODS. Gill is going to pull through and even though we have not got the message' "Gill is now in recovery", I am sure that with the infections cured and sorted, this feisty lady is going to be pulling a few tongues! There are so many networks and people out there rooting for Gilli she IS going to make it, it is just going to take a long time - but HEY, I think this journey has begun and Gill is going to be OK............now go and find some feathers! You are all angels!”

Update:9pm 25 Aug'

Lorna and Doug saw Gillian this afternoon at 3pm. Gill opened her eyes and she saw Lorna and smiled. Lorna spent a good hour with Gill.

Doctor Hoskins – the op yesterday with the filter was successful. They have had a report on the lab test on the culture and they can now apparently use the correct antibiotics to combat the infection / bug. They were told that she has made an improvement but also that she is not out of the woods. It sounds to me like they are fighting a super bug.

Ann also saw Gill and was communicating with her – Anne writing things down and explaining to Gill what had happened to her – I hope that this wasn’t too much for Gill as she has been what looked like very scared of her surroundings and circumstances when she has responded previously

My song for Gill (From Tracey)

We come together on this special day, to sing our message loud and clear!

Looking back, we've touched on sorrowful days - future passed, they disappear...

You will find, it's sublime - if you look way down in your heart and soul, ah, don’t hesitate, cause the world seems cold. Stay young at heart – ah cause you’re never never never, never old - that’s the way, of the world - plant your flower and you grow a pearl – child is born with a heart of gold and the way of the world makes his heart so cold…

Hearts afire, creates love’s desire, takes you high and higher – to a world you belong.

SOAR MY DARLING DUCK – REST, AND COME BACK TO US.  OUR LIVES ARE USELESS WITHOUT YOU. TRACEY, YOUR DUCK FOREVER

Message from Robyn Lindsell (Gill's eldest daughter) last night: Mon. 24 August

“319 members on Gillian Campbell Group on Facebook … Wow, that makes me and my sisters smile.

''I bet my mom would be crying with joy to see how many people care''- You guys are amazing J”

Update from Russ (Gill’s brother):

“Had the op yesterday – all called the hospital by no Doctors could talk; so no news. Parents will visit today. Be good. Russ.”

Update from Russ (Gill's brother) and Doug (Gill's father) - Monday, 24 August at 7am:

"Gill scheduled for theatre at 7am this morning. Dr Hoskins has allayed fears by saying that this procedure is a preventative one, ie. the insertion of a filter as an added precaution against the embolism. Gill is stable with no new problems. The fistula abdominal drain is working well and the flow is now minimal, which is good progress. Lung embolism is dissipating slowly. Infection is under control but no improvement - new antibiotic introduced this morning and awaiting a further culture analysis from the lab. She is still heavily sedated."

Update from Russ (Gill’s brother):  Sunday, 23^rd August at 2pm:

"Gill is undergoing another operation this afternoon - an angioplasty (the surgical repair of a blood vessel, by inserting a balloon-tipped catheter to unblock it.) There are apparently... clots in her legs & this is needed to remove the clots. The operation should be seen as positive and not life threatening. Your positive thoughts & prayers are needed, please."

Update from Russ (Gill’s brother) and Lorna (Gill’s Mom): Saturday, 22^nd August at 1pm:

“Lorna and Doug visited Gill yesterday. She had just had phsysio and was in a lot of pain, and was treated with morfine. Her temperature seems fine. The tube is still down her throat into her chest to clear her chest. The tracheotomy is still in place and all the news from yesterday is still the same – nothing fantastic to report but then again, no bad news is actually good news.

They are still treating the embolism; the main concern now is the draining of the fistula (being an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result of injury and can also result from infection or inflammation.)

Gill is still in critical condition and help is needed.

Update From Russ: Gillian – Thursday 29^th Aug at 16h00

I saw my sister today, Lorna and Doug were there and Tracey Brits (Publicist, who got the ball rolling with the donations, God Bless her, had flown up from Cape Town to see Gill with her Mom Lorraine Brits). The hospital only let 2 people in at a time (which is a good thing) and then not for that long at a time either. Gill was on her side and had a tube down her throat into her to clear her chest – there was a lot of coughing and clearing, which is good. The tracheotomy is still in place and all the news from yesterday is still the same – nothing fantastic to report but then again, no bad news is actually good news.

I went in and spoke to Gill. My first question was can she hear me, does she know who I am and can she understand what I am saying, a simplke squeeze (which for her is one of those GIANT steps) on my finger – well, I got a full – on squeeze and eyes wide open and looking straight at me. Through the visit Gilli tried to lift her head up and shake it and also nod, which is almost impossible now, but she did this – I didn’t want her to try and respond this way, but she insisted – like the fighter she is.

Gill was not taken through what had happened to her other than she must not worry about anything, her girls, her home, her people. I told her that she has a mobilised army of prayer that stretches world wide from SA and she has hundreds of people praying for her and sending great karma, positive energy and the best, purest wishes and feeling that there are! Everyone is rooting for her and I said that she is a fighter (she tried to nod and speak then)

Gill will get through this we pray, but it is going to be a long process, we just need to keep our faith strong and be there for her. There have been so many, many messages, emails, sms-es and postings on the FaceBook site (Search under Gillian Campbell for GROUP) it is amazing. Having seen Gill, her swelling seems to have reduced and she is certainly looking a lot better however that “better” is based on a comparison of what she has been looking like to date which is quite hectic. The fact that she has responded to people and tried to interact as best she can is just such a positive sign. We no not have any specific medical condition -  feedback around the leak or the embolism but we feel that no news here or change is great good news !

The army marches and Gilli lives another day at a time. Prayer is power and it is just so strong. This was not her time to go, she is going to fight her way out of what became a bottomless pit, and she is going to do this in her own time (and sometimes in Gills life when she does things in her own time, well, that’s just it – it’s her own time. I pray that the unconscious time she has will be used to restore her to us all and make her stronger and stronger daily. I will continue to let the army of soul praying for her know daily what her condition is, simply because while we do not need to be reminded of what has happened, we just need to keep her uppermost in our minds and thoughts and prayers and in everything we do every day. I know that this is important and Gill certainly knows and responded to the news that she is on the mend and has an army – she is NOT alone.

Everyone be safe and sound. When we were very small our parents taught us our first prayer, which we have said ever since – “Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild, Look upon a little Child, Suffer My Simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee”. Gilli will survive. Thank you all.

Update 19th August 18:25pm

Mike Lindsell received the following feedback from the hospital and doctors, which is good ! The problems and alarm signals of last night have not gone away but are under control. The small leak in the abdomen has been successfully drained by drain inserted. The decision was taken taken not to operate but to monitor the leak as this should heal itself. (This is assisted greatly by the drain).The embolism (clot) was larger than originally thought but this will be dissipated / dissolved by the medication (blood thinning) which Gill is on. An improvement on the embolism has already been seen. It is still very much one day at a time. Some words from one of Tracey's friends who met gill only a few times. "I have been keeping Gill very much in my heart and prayers and it’s good to hear that while she is struggling still, she is still hanging on. Through my therapeutic work I’ve seen unconscious time as often a very healing one. Sometimes we just need to be unconscious to retrieve what our soul needs in order to come and  live in the world again – in a more fulfilling way." Family and friends have been informed that Gillian's recuperation period will  take approximately 8 months.

Update from Russ (Gill’s brother):  Wednesday, 19^th August at 5am:

“Dear Friends ... The 4:30pm news and the fact that the docs KNOW what to treat and are treating it – is great. Major positive karma and God’s wishes to Gill, her girls, her family and parents and Mike. Vasbyt! We had a wobbler today with touch and go stuff – Gill has always been a toughee, this time TOUCH is good, touch her in your hearts and souls and lead her back by her hands to life and living, and she will make it, WILL her on, keep her uppermost in your minds, pray, I am sure she can hear us all. We have to do this for her and her girls. Gilli, no germs will hurt you, the docs all KNOW what to do and you are in good to great care, we will be celebrating doctors and your wonderful life soon my love. Hang in and be strong and kick the germs zat may sis. You have a truckload of emails and good wishes to read and respond to when you are on the road to recovery. Please be strong sis, please. We love you so much. Just be there my love, be there.”

Update 17th August 10:08pm

Doug saw Gilli again today of course, and her girls visited, we don’t know how much recognition there was but the report is that Gill had her eyes wide open and was trying desperately to speak- God knows what is going on in her head and emotions trying to make sense of this all. The condition is unchanged from the last update. She has indeed turned a corner but again tonight is alone in the Jhb Gen not “out of the woods” by any means. We continue to support the girls, the parents and the family and pray for her started recovery – if only we get news that she is on the way to being mended. Faith and prayers will get her through. You all know who you are, her army, carry on and god bless you all. Russ, Helen, Anne and Tracey and the families.

Hi ... For those of you who know Gillian, and to those who only know her by association, please have her in your prayers.

"Today's scan of her chest found a small clot for which she has been medicated. Right llung taking longer than expected to inflate properly; but improving. Infection levels are no worse but not significant improvement either.... Temp is now only slightly above normal. Still taking daily cultures & samples to analyse & isolate exact cause of infection. Your prayers for Gill are needed and appreciated. xxX"

Gill is still in critical condition and help is needed.

(Sat 15th August 10pm)

The letter below was sent to the Midrand Reporter 06/08/2009 by Tracey Brits. She wrote:

"After Gillian Lindsell was shot, she was airlifted to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (she does not have medical aid). At present Gillian is on life support in ICU. As some of you know, Gillian has been struggling hand to mouth for years to look after her 3 girls. Her only income at present is from lecturing at Midrand Damelin Monday to Saturday at a pathetically small sum, and she only gets paid if she is there - they do not offer sick leave pay or anything like that. She works like a dog from dawn to night.

I ask all of you - even R50 will make a difference if everyone who receives this e-mail contributes. If you o contribute, please let me know, because I know she will want to thank you personally once she is conscious. With sincere appeal and gratitude in advance for your consideration. My e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Gillian's Banking Details are: Gillian Lindsell, ABSA, branch code 632005, Account No. 712660317"

The story continued ...

Gillian's three daughters Robyn (15), Kimberley (13) and Caitlin (10) had just left the house with their father for a weekend visit at 7pm on Friday (31 July) when 3 armed men stormed the home. Friend Tracey Brits said Gillian and her maid were held up at gunpoint. "The men ordered them to lay on the floor while they ransacked the house. Gillian lay deadstill but one man just shot her in the back." The bullet passed through her and ricocheted off the floor back into her stomach.

The suspects searched the house and found Gillian's friend Annie Williamson who was hiding, having arrived during the attack," explained Brits. Williamson and the domestic worker were unhurt. Paramedics arrived promptly and Gillian was taken by medicopter to Carstenhof Clinic but was transferred to Charlotte Maxeke hospital as she has no medical aid.

Gillian's father Douglas Campbell said from her bedside that the gruesome incident happened minutes after her ex-husband fetched their daughters. "We could be mentioning more tragedies here, but luckily a neighbour heard a gunshot, activated an alarm and the men fled," said Campbell. "They took credit cards, jewellery and car keys."

Campbell thanked the police and Johannesburg Emergency Services for their quick response. Midrand Police are investigating a case of attempted murder  and armed robbery. (Russ Campbell spoke to Oink Midrand  on the phone and expressed his gratitude for ADT Security Sevices staff who, he said, were responsible for saving Gillian's life.)

Companies Who Have Pledged To Assist With R50 or more Will Be listed Here as An Angel Company. Oink is asking you to match or better our pledge. Please do not hand over cash to anyone but rather make your contribution directly to Gillian's Account. Gillian Lindsell, ABSA, branch code 632005, Account No. 712660317

Angel Companies & Individuals

Oink Midrand Directory - R300

Air Goes Air Conditioning Services cc - R200 (Heating & Cooling Systems & Refrigeration) For More Information on Air Goes Air Conditioning Services.

Delpro Panel Beaters - R500 (Johan, thanks so much for your call to Oink Midrand. Your words were touching and the caring nature of your call had me a little choked up. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Craig) For More Information on Delpro Panel Beaters.

Greg Whittaker - R1 500

Mandy Cuffley - R500 + R500

Glenn Norton (Re-Max Masters) - R500 (Property/Real Estate) For More information on www.remax-masters.co.za

Shirley Jones/Le Guern (Freelance Journalist/Art & Book Editor Click here to view ) - R300

17/08/2009 - Gillian opened her eyes and tried to speak... Priceless!