As easy as it is to be admitted to the house of pain, it is as easy to just simply w-a-l-k out, quite jaw dropping admin procedure, all the files and papers are just left at the bed, some one signs a strip of paper and hey, you are out~!! Wow, Gill raved on the first breath of fresh air in over a month, the leaves being green, Gauteng being dry and the weather just being fabulous – so special to share this with her. She wanted salt and vinegar chips as she said that NOTHING tastes lekker anymore – hello – after 7 ops and all that anaesthesia in her system I said her steak will only taste like steak when she eventually makes her own for her and the girls on day s-o-o-n!

New people in her ward today when we fetched her, some poor woman who was shot three times in the back, and walking around using a food bed tray as a walker thingy – eish ! Another woman who has been so badly beaten by her “boyfriend” it looks like she came across the Taliban wearing a g-string at the time – shame poor lady – her lip looked like a rugby boot…….anyway, my sis is OUT, everyone is happy and elated and the Power of Prayer has said it all again ! Thank you her army ! She will be reading the literally hundreds of emails and sms-es we have saved for her, reading over the next few weeks and getting back to you all individually – the rich the famous, the well known and unknown of you all, of us all, she is again so moved when reminded that it is because of you she is where she is – and Believe me, Gill is so humbled she says she is where she is because of her army. U can all take a small bow or drop to your knees – take it from Gill – u are a great army and you don’t end here………….she has made each and every one of you part of her soul, her wounds, her healing, her scars, her mind, her feelings – God, you special people, thank you so much, thank you.

So, so much discussed, or more rather referred to, by her today. What about this one, that one, the issues here, there, everywhere, the donations, the care, the prayers, the absolute commitment to her getting out of there and getting better…….and then all of a sudden, “I want my girls Russ, get them here please…..”

Tracy Brits who started the donation campaign (who is sick with flu in bed in CT, - hey at least u r in CT baby ) was instrumental in starting the donation campaign – Trace, u are Gill’s good and great friend, as are we all, Paula, Shearer, Wilkins, Helen Bosman, Annie ---- hey choose a letter from the alphabet, ALL of you are there ! Dani, Paddy, Ludwig, Mandy – (u are exemplary lady I hope u sell a thousand houses in your special lifetime – you will !)

Over the last 40 days it has been quite a challenge trying to communicate with everyone (world – wide) and send out messages (Gill’s army network) that let you all know what is going on – which you have wanted and needed. Messages have been mixed and communiques mistrewn but you know what, we have all been there for her and the basic message and communique has always come through – Gill is one of the most amazing people on God’s earth and she is with us tonight, today and tomorrow !

Gillian Campbell will dance again with her girls, her friends and her family, and boy, is she looking forward to that. Our fighter has come through for us and her friends and family, wow- THAT is POWER, to have stood literally in her blood in her kitchen over a month ago and to drink champagne for her coming out today !!!! (she had a teeeeeeespoon) today is like a Survivor Island metamorphasis ! And my sis did the voting and she was NOT voted off !!!! Shame she is still very weak and frail, and has lost all her weight, can be very tearful and sensitive but then in the next breath CRAPPS me out for not seeing a car in my rear view mirror, jerking the clutch and taking a wrong turn – thanks so much for BEING BACK BABY. You can crap on me anytime sweet lady.

Quite a moment when Gill was reunited with Frieda, the lady who is part of Gill’s family who was made to lie on the floor next to her when she was shot – poor woman was grilled as a possible inside – job on the night of the shooting and who has single handedly packed up Anne and Gill’s house ready for storage on her own. Frieda rocks as well, shame, lots of tears shed (Frieda drank more champers than Gill did today !)

On the way home (Gill’s new home is her unbelievably beautiful place Helen has made for her – please see the face book group for her – photos there…)) Gill said she wants ONE thing very soon – I asked her after she saw a billboard for Hunters – she said- just “Pull over and get me one of those NOW, in fact, not a Hunters, just get me a shandy”. Gilli also insisted that “I must have my eyes tested and get new lenses tomorrow……..” Helen and I said Ja, like that’s gonna happen sweet poppet – like when you DEMANDED your cell when you could not speak or even lift your arms ! All in good time sweetie !

My old man has been unbelievable for the whole time – at Gill’s side whenever he could and can be, challenged in his old SA ways by the current VERY challenging system, hospitals, traffic (he’s from way-out-of-town – Game Reserve-like)…..he has had some interesting engagements with security guards, strident nurses, uncommunicative interns and what they call “care – givers”, not to mention the Evangelicalist Church people who are actively recruiting half dying people at the the Gen wandering in and out – just plain s-c-a-r-y. (Gill had Communion with her Church and Pastor in hospital – Jacqueline ((Jackie)) thanks sweet woman and God Bless you too. Kudos Jackie and the dietician you sorted and the physio who did Gill’s feet and hands.

The wine I am drinking while I write this is so sweet – it’s my Communion with you Gill, and everyone shares it with us both. I could carry on and on but you know what, the people who have been there for you, your army, have to speak to you and share with you, and I know you will be getting in touch with them over the next few weeks (be patient guys…..) I am just humbled by so much -

Helen – you shine star, enjoy your daughters 18th this weekend and the fact that you have Gill. Your brightness cannot be measured, and your family’s – I pray for you and yours – you are blessed and you are our family and friends – shine on ! Love you lank girl – you are f.....g fantastic (only expletive here but I have to !) FF babe FF in the BESTEST lekkerdest way- love u so much and have become so close. Amazing lady, just (in my simple words and I grapple, FF ) Helen of Troy – you are just IT for Gill.

Lorna (Gill’s Mom), lady, you are serene sincerity. You have been as strong as Gill has and have been her left hand – so so much – if I carry on here I just cry ----- you are my Mom and I am honoured – Gill is celebrated ! You have been strong beyond belief, have had to hold down a job and pull us all together – SuperHeroWoman – apart from this all, you know you have been and will always be my absolute mentor – my Mom, I am on my knees.

Doug, you have been a cantankerous old man, thank God, we wouldn’t want you any other way – I have learned a hellava lot over the last month – so you see, you can still teach ! What u have done for Gill is immeasurable, may you be blessed for this and reap your commitment as an amazing Father a million times over in your lifetime and afterwards. You have been afforded the chance to show such love and dedication to a child, value that, I know that you do. I value you too, we all do. (Don’t stop being cantankerous please or we won’t recognize you _)

Annie – sweet lady, long time friend and sounding board – successful hard working lady who has been to Gill an amazing friend, supporter and dedicated friend – god she loves you Annie ! Your investment in Gilli will pay you and her greatly, you know that. Thank you thank you for doing what you have (often in the background), sweetie you are just so damn good ! You know you have a place in her heart so entrenched and engrained from childhood and strengthened by the event………u are lucky for this, but hey, you have invested - ------ so not lucky, but built up and important over time – you have a fantastic friend in her, and I am so glad u k now this. Now go celebrate and heal yourself as well- love.

Tracy (the Brits) you unbelievable galvanise – to – action friend of Gills (and mine – who wrote your 1st year essays ?) Focused and friend and so committed you leave your home and province and just GET here for her – jeez, I am blown away by Gilli’s friends. You back a long way “duck” – your heart is soft but wow you are stongwilled and a go – getter ---- the reason for the donation drive. Kudos love, kudos ! I know that if you lived in Jhb you and Helen-star would be fighting a good fight as to who should have Gilli recoop with them (would be an interesting little fight ) Love u lots girl, lots!

Mandy – lady thank you. You have been someone in Gill’s life who she has been truly touched and loved by. What you have done is incredible, so thoughtful at every turn for her, so sensitive, so loving of the whole family – wow, well done are 2 words that do not sum up your contribution here. Unbelievalble communication, and incredible commitment I just so wish I had more lekker words to describe you in this all – suffice, damn shit hot ! Gilli said that “you rock”, wow, aren’t those just 2 words from her that say YES YES!? Mandy thank you. Thank you.

Gills family and girls – u have been strong and have had demands placed on you that have been huge. You have triumphed and so has your Mom. We love u all poppets ! We just love and hug and hold you !

Everyone else (sounds a bit hectic - am I one of the “everyone else’s ?) – YES you ARE, we are all one of the everyone elses and damn proud of it – wow man, well done guys, well done the army ! There are sooooo many of us that is just awesome – hey I am proud to be in Gills army as are you. Prayer is power and u have proved that ----- I am being humbled by that and will take my sister’s cue and have a glass when she says - +Every one must now relax and be good, have a drink and now start holding hands and being strong for me to get strong” ------- I will tell my Grandkids I was in Gill’s army.

Jeez it’s nice to be able to write something so absolutely lovely about everyone, but it is also nice to know that everything about this event has been recorded and will be on the FB site for us all to read– wow man, that must strengthen us all for Gill and in our own lives.

Patrick Swayzie died today (Gill shed a tear when I told her– Ghost and Dirty Dancing was a part of her growing up as well.) But Gill is with us, she has proven her fighter commitment. Gill has said she is a survivor although she cried when she felt so helpless being helped into wheelchairs and cars today. This will pass !

This has been a journey, the beginning of which was a horrid wake up call for us all, but a journey we have all been on, and which has actually just begun. Our lives with Gill have just begun again – we all have something we share with her which we will reinforce when we speak to her or see her or email her or just drop her an sms again.

Celebrate your lives, celebrate yourselves, Gill wants you all to.

I celebrate her.
I am going to celebrate you every day my sis, every day.
I love you so much.