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Help Bring Angela Home After a Stroke in Thailand

  • Angela Update – Friday, Oct 17

      17 October 2025
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    Angela Update – Friday, Oct 17

    Hi all,

    It’s been a little while since the last update, but I wanted to share some wonderful progress from Mum over the past week! Angela continues to improve little by little every day, which is fantastic to see. Her speech has noticeably strengthened thanks to ongoing language and facial therapy, and while movement in her left arm and leg is still limited, she’s working hard with the incredible team at Burwood Hospital. She especially enjoys her daily sessions on the stationary pedalling machine!

    Although sleep remains a challenge, she’s managing to get good rest during the day, especially after therapy sessions. Looking ahead, we’re beginning to explore rest-care options with medical support in Christchurch. While the cooler weather isn’t her favourite, she’s surrounded by a wonderful network of friends who continue to visit and encourage her recovery.

    If you haven’t reached out recently, please do give Angela a call or message on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or her NZ mobile — she’d absolutely love to hear from you. Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support. Every message makes such a difference.

    With gratitude,

    Cam (in Phuket) ❤️

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  • Angela Update – Friday, Oct 3

      3 October 2025
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    Hi all,

    It’s been one week since Mum arrived safely back in New Zealand, and I wanted to share an update on her progress.

    After spending the weekend in Christchurch Hospital’s Medical Assessment Unit, she was transferred on Monday to Burwood Hospital’s specialist stroke unit. She is now in Room DG23 for anyone who would like to visit.

    As expected, things remain very challenging for her. Mum dislikes the cold Christchurch weather, but at least has a view outside onto the lawn, green grass, and blue sky, which she enjoys when the sun is out. She also had a shampoo and haircut earlier this week, which was lovely!

    She is now engaged in regular therapy sessions to get her body moving again, and her food intake is slowly improving — both very positive signs.

    For friends in Christchurch, please do connect with her on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp (if she doesn’t answer, she’s likely sleeping or doing exercises, so try again later). If you’re nearby, she would love a visit — your encouragement means the world to her.

    Thank you for keeping Angela in your thoughts and prayers, and have a wonderful day.

    With gratitude,

    Cam (in Phuket)

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  • Angela Update – Sunday, Sept 28

      28 September 2025
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    Hi all,

    Mum is now settling into Christchurch Hospital and is currently in the Medical Assessment Unit. We’re hopeful she’ll be moved to a ward tomorrow. She continues to make slow but steady progress, and her beautiful smile is starting to return — though there is still a long road ahead to full recovery.

    She would absolutely love visitors! You can find her in Room 39, Medical Assessment Unit, Ground Floor, Waipapa Building. You can also call her on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp (if she doesn’t answer, she’s likely fast asleep — so please try again later).

    A big thank you to Marie for sharing regular daily updates, and thank you all for the ongoing love, visits, and support. It truly means so much to Mum and to our whole family.

    Wishing you all a wonderful day,

    Cam (writing from Phuket) ❤️🇳🇿

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  • Angela Update – Wednesday, Sept 24

      24 September 2025
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    Hi all,

    We’ve just said goodbye (for now) to Mum at Mission Hospital, where I spent some time with her before the ambulance collected her. She’s now on the way to Phuket International Airport for her 3:05pm flight to Singapore, followed by the 7:50pm flight to Christchurch, arriving at 9:30am Thursday NZ time.

    Mum has been in hospital here in Thailand for a total of 20 days, and it’s such a relief to finally have her on her way home. This is a huge milestone after everything she’s been through, and we’re so grateful for the incredible care and support that made it possible.

    Thank you all for the kind messages, encouragement, and prayers — I’ve been reading them out to Mum every day, and they’ve truly lifted her spirits. The next update will be from New Zealand!

    With gratitude,

    Cam

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  • Update

      24 September 2025
    Posted by: Givealittle

    When this page began, our urgent aim was to cover Angela’s hospital bills in Thailand and the medical costs to get her home to NZ. On 4 September in Phuket, she suffered a major stroke and had emergency clot removal that saved her life but left limited speech, left-side weakness, and swallowing difficulty. With invoices above NZD $73,000 and insurance first declined as “pre-existing,” we reached out to help fund her care and repatriation.

    We’re relieved to share that Allianz has since reversed its decision and confirmed full cover for Angela’s hospital costs and repatriation. Because those immediate expenses are now funded, this page shifts to its new purpose: supporting Angela’s long-term recovery in New Zealand. Donations received—and any future support—will fund rehabilitation, physiotherapy, speech therapy, mobility aids, and other needs for her long term recovery.

    Angela is stable and brighter. She has moved from ICU to a ward with a caregiver, is practicing in a wheelchair, and still jokes about the food. Two nurses arrive in Phuket on Monday 22 September for pre-flight checks Tuesday 23 September. On Wednesday 24 September an ambulance will take her to Phuket Airport for the Phuket–Singapore–Christchurch flight. She is due to land in Christchurch at 9:30 am on Thursday 25 September and go straight to Christchurch Hospital where a specialist will look after her.

    Thank you very much for your kind support, love and prayers. We truly appreciate it 🙏🙏🙏

    Angela, Cam & Family”

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  • Angela Update – Tuesday, Sept 23

      23 September 2025
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    Hi all,

    I’ve just left the hospital after meeting the two wonderful nurses, Kathryn and Kerrie from Brisbane, who arrived in Phuket yesterday. They completed Mum’s pre-flight assessment — mobility remains the biggest challenge as her left arm and leg are still not responding, but both nurses are highly experienced and have everything arranged to manage the journey. We also prepared the clothes Mum wants to wear tomorrow and repacked her luggage so she’s all ready to go.

    Tomorrow at 10am I’ll return to see her safely into the ambulance and off to the airport. The nurses confirmed she’s been accepted by a specialist at Christchurch Hospital, with speech and mobility therapists ready to begin her rehabilitation. The Southern Cross repatriation staff have been excellent — I honestly don’t know how this would have all come together without Allianz revising their decision and the incredible support of their team.

    So, another good day of progress and now just one more day to go here in Thailand. Thank you all for your ongoing support — Mum is very excited to be heading back to Christchurch and can’t wait to see you all soon!

    – Cam

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  • Angela Update – Sunday, Sept 21

      21 September 2025
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    Hi all,

    More good news today — flights and nurses are now confirmed!

    • Two nurses will arrive shortly and I’ll meet them at the hospital on Tuesday, Sept 23 at 10am for Mum’s pre-flight assessment.

    • On Wednesday, Sept 24 at 11am, an ambulance will collect Mum and transfer her to Phuket International Airport for her 3:05pm departure.

    • Angela will land in Christchurch at 9:30am on Thursday, Sept 25, and will be transferred directly to Christchurch Hospital.

    • She’s been practicing sitting in a wheelchair to prepare for the journey — she’ll need to sit upright for the Phuket–Singapore leg, then will be able to lie flat in business class from Singapore to Christchurch.

    • And yes, she still continues to complain about the hospital food 😁 — so tomorrow we’ll bring her some homemade chicken and potato soup, along with dropping her luggage at the airport.

    We’re finally there…!! ✈️🇳🇿

    Once Mum is in Christchurch, we’d love for those nearby to visit her. It’s been such a difficult time and your support will mean the world to her.

    🙏 Thank you all again for your incredible kindness, well wishes, and messages. Truly appreciated.

    – Cam

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  • Angela Update – Saturday, Sept 20

      20 September 2025
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    Hi all,

    Mum is now settled in a regular ward room at Mission Hospital and being well looked after by Khun Mum, the caregiver we arranged, along with the nurses and doctors there.

    Today she is looking much brighter. The staff gave her a shower and washed her hair, which she really appreciated. She has also managed a little soup (spoon-fed) — although she wasn’t too impressed with the flavour! Still, these are encouraging signs of progress.

    Her repatriation has now been confirmed for Wednesday, Sept 24 on Singapore Airlines (Phuket – Singapore – Christchurch). Two nurses will arrive in Phuket on Monday to accompany her and ensure a safe journey. Once in New Zealand, she will be admitted to Christchurch Hospital for further care.

    I’ll be visiting Mum tomorrow morning and will share another update then. In the meantime, please feel free to call her on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger — she would absolutely love to hear from you.

    Thank you all once again for the incredible kindness, encouragement, and support during this difficult time. It truly means the world to us.

    – Cam

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  • Angela Update – Friday, Sept 19

      19 September 2025
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    ❤️ Major update today – incredible news!

    After Angela’s insurance was first declined on the basis of a “pre-existing condition” (even though it was declared when the policy was taken), Cam has been pushing for answers, asking for her full application and the complete policy wording.

    This afternoon, Allianz phoned to confirm that after a senior-level review they have reversed their decision and will now cover all medical costs and full repatriation. They explained the change was due to “ambiguity, the situation, and her age.”

    This is such a huge relief as the bills were really starting to mount — and yes, a few tears of relief were shed.

    We had been preparing to bring Mum back to Cam’s home in Phuket today, but Allianz has asked that Angela remain in hospital for safety. She has now been moved from ICU into a regular ward, and we’ve arranged a kind caregiver to stay with her while she recovers.

    Within the next 1–2 days, Allianz will send two nurses from New Zealand or Australia to escort her home. Angela is expected to be repatriated early next week to Christchurch Hospital, and once stable, will likely transfer to Burwood Hospital’s specialist stroke unit for rehabilitation.

    🙏 Thank you all so much for your love, donations, and prayers. The funds raised on Givealittle so far — and any future donations — will go directly to Angela to support her long-term recovery and rehabilitation in NZ.

    From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. ❤️🇳🇿

    – Cam, Angela & Family

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  • Sending love to you all. 💖

      19 September 2025
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    Here are some photos and a message from one of Angela's motorhome friends. Thank you, Sue, for the support and kind message. We hope to see mum back in her bus soon 🙏

    Hi Cam, you don't know me, but I'm a motorhome babe and read your sad news about Mum's stroke. I am so sorry to hear that news. In January 2015, I met Mum in her Bedford, which I loved, selling her licorice allsorts at Pohara Boat Club. I just wanted to share those photos you may be able to share with Mum when she recovers. Sending love to you all. 💖

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  • Angela Update – Thursday, September 18

      18 September 2025
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    Angela has now been safely relocated to Mission Hospital Phuket. She’s currently in the ICU while awaiting transfer to a regular ward.

    I met with her new doctor today, and here’s the latest progress:

    • Oxygen has been removed – a big step forward.

    • The feeding tube is out, as she can now swallow soft liquids like milk (she was so relieved about this!).

    • She still has some coughing and phlegm, but it’s slowly improving.

    • Her left arm and leg remain immobile, but the therapist visits regularly, and she’s doing lots of movement exercises.

    Angela also has her phone back (it had been kept by the nurses for security), so please feel free to give her a call. Typing replies is still very difficult for her, so calls are best.

    The doctor is optimistic that she may soon be ready to come back home (to my place) with the support of a private nurse for feeding and therapy. The longer-term goal will be to return to New Zealand with a nurse once she’s strong enough.

    Thank you so much for all your love, support, and prayers – it means the world to both Angela and our family.

    With gratitude,

    Cam 🙏❤️

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  • Angela Update – Wednesday, Sept 17

      17 September 2025

    Angela is being transferred today from Bangkok Hospital Phuket to Mission Hospital Phuket (the same hospital where Cam’s son Louie was born). This move will help reduce costs now that her insurance claim has sadly been declined.

    Cam has also been in contact with the NZ Embassy in Bangkok for advice and support moving forward.

    Mum is understandably tired and emotional, but she is aware of what’s happening and welcomes your love and encouragement. Please feel free to give her a call if you’d like to say hello. 💙

    Thank you all so much for your kindness, care, and continued support.

    – Cam

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    • 18/09/2025 by Kris

      Can you explain exactly why her Insurance Coverage was declined? If this Company said they covered incidents occurring while traveling, I'm shocked they won't cover....unless she had a pre-existing condition???

    • 23/09/2025 by Cam McLean

      Hi Kris, please read the latest updates. Thank you