December 10, 2005: God Was Still At Work. The Signs Were Too Obvious To Ignore...

A tall, dark and slim, well-dressed woman approached me and introduced herself as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health. She told me that they were making plans to move Kechi to Shell Hospital, and I thanked her profusely.

The Consultant at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital was on the phone with Shell and soon concluded arrangements to move Kechi. The doctors continued to work on Kechi, even after the ambulance from Shell arrived, trying to stabilize her before moving her. She was then wheeled outside. I remember that there were so many people crowded at the hospital entrance. It was when some people started to take pictures that I realized that they were the press and sure enough, a picture of Kechi lying on the gurney soon made headlines everywhere. 

She was transferred to the ambulance and we all took off for Shell Hospital, accompanied by one of the doctors from BMH.

After a very fast ride, we arrived at the Shell Hospital and Kechi was whisked off to the emergency room. One of the drivers on duty was sent off to fetch the doctor on duty and Mike asked to go with him. Meanwhile, the staff on duty started work on Kechi. We were asked to wait outside and soon after, the Senior Medical Officer of Shell Hospital arrived. 

I did not know it then, but this man was going to be instrumental in laying the foundations of Kechi's future. He went inside the emergency room and after some time, came out with the doctor from BMH. They talked a bit and then the other doctor took leave of us. I hugged him and thanked him for all he had done for Kechi. He said that Kechi's life fully depended on God at this point and he would pray for her. By this time, Mike was back with the doctor on call, whom I remember was a Dutchman.

I asked to see Kechi and they allowed me in. She had been given drugs for the pain and more IV lines were attached. There was concern about her urine, which was still very dark in color, indicating possible renal failure, a major concern in such extreme burn cases as Kechi's. After a while, the urine started to clear up. 

We waited outside, praying, while they worked on Kechi. She, at every point in the procedure, was co-operating with the medical team, lifting her limbs when told to and so on. They were very impressed with her and kept saying how strong she was...

To be continued...

December 10, 2005: From The Eyes Of My brother Chinedu...

I don't remember very clear details of that day, but I remember the emotions vividly. I remember that my wife, Karin, the girls and I were at home. I received a phone call from Mom and she wailed the news that Kechi's plane had gone down and that Kechi was gone. Those were her exact words, 'Kechi is gone'. After a stunned moment of shock, I asked her to repeat it and she did and then I screamed loud. Karin rushed out of the room to find out what was wrong and I told her. I did not become very emotional then. I went very quiet, then I told Mom I was coming to Apapa right away. By then, Ulo and some others were already gathered in Apapa, Mom was wailing continuously. 

Before I left, I sat Chisa and Jaachi down and explained to them what had happened. Chisa understood immediately, because she was old enough to, and started to weep. Jaachi did not fully grasp what was going on at that time, as she was quite young then. Karin was in total shock, and she had not reacted yet. I cannot remember, but I think I picked Nkechi up and we rushed to Apapa. 

We walked into the house and there was major mourning going on in the house. Mom was being restrained, so she would not hurt herself. That picture has never left me - the level of grief that was in that room. At that point I fell on the floor and started crying. I cried and wailed, and then just sat quietly. I remember that Dad never accepted the idea of Kechi's death. I remember that he would come into the living room where we were all gathered to say one or two things and go away, but he never once accepted that Kechi was gone.

Then after a while, more and more people gathered and we were all inconsolable, then the other news came! Kechi was alive!

 I have never seen anything like that. How all that level of grief and mourning turned into magnificent joy and praise. We all started praising God and dancing and worshipping God, thanking Him. There was an explosion of joy that Kechi was alive. It was in the midst of that rejoicing that I got a nudging in my spirit to separate myself a bit, so I left the scene of rejoicing and I immediately went to one of the rooms upstairs and knelt down and began to receive a very clear and vivid ministration.

 “Yes, indeed Kechi is alive. She will be okay. She will be fine, but it will take time.

The recovery will be long, but she will be restored fully. It will take time, but it will be complete.”

After I shared the ministration, there was rejoicing, and then we started discussing logistics, who was to leave immediately to be with Ije, what was the best hospital to take Kechi to etc. But God soon showed us that He was in full control of the situation and the rest is history.

...My brother, Chinedu's account.

To be continued...

December 10, 2005: As My Sister Nkechi Remembers It...

I was in my shop with customers, two ladies, I can't remember who they were now, when I received a phone call from Dad saying Kechi's plane was in trouble and that we should pray. I stared praying quietly.

I knew the kids were vacating that day for Christmas. We were expecting Ugo and I thought Kechi was coming to Lagos, so I was kind of expecting Kechi in Lagos.

Then I got another call from Dad saying Kechi's plane went down..... I didn't hear the rest. My phone dropped......I think I froze and I couldn't breathe!

I kept hearing "Aunty! Aunty! What is it?" It was the two ladies in my shop.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't talk. I just stared at them. Then I started struggling to breathe! The most important thing then seemed to be  to  fight  for  air!  Which  I  was  doing  noisily!  I  think  I  was hyperventilating.  They laid me on the long chair and were trying to fan me.

After some time I was able to say "Kechi....plane crash....”

Everything became a blur. I remember telling Miriam who lived with me then and she started crying! I wasn't crying. I think I was in shock. I made some calls to Ned and Ulo and said that we should go to Apapa, to my parent's house. Mom was on my mind...

How we got to Apapa, I don't remember. I think I rode with Ned. When we got there, just as we feared, it took three people to restrain Mom from harming her self. She had been throwing her self all over the place in her grief!

It was a horrible meeting with everybody crying and plans were being made to buy tickets to go to PH.

Suddenly there was a phone call. Dad, I think answered and announced that Kechi survived! I think there was the incredulous few seconds of silence before the crying turned to laughter! And then straight into worship, in thanksgiving to God!

….My sister, Nkechi's account.

To be continued...

December 10, 2005: The Next Battle...

The doctors then converged on Kechi, and I stayed by her head, talking to her. They were desperately looking for a vein. I saw them cut into several places in her skin to find a vein; all her veins had collapsed. She was in severe shock. 

They found one by cutting into her right foot and started an infusion. I have never seen  anyone  infused  that  quickly.  One  of  the  doctors  was squeezing the IV bag with his hand. When that one finished he would quickly replace it and continue squeezing. They were obviously trying to hydrate her as fast as possible. Kechi was losing fluids at an alarming rate. The gurney where she lay was full of liquid draining from her burns.

One of the doctors inserted a catheter to drain her urine. My baby screamed when the catheter was inserted. The urine that came out was black. I saw the doctors glance at each other and I knew it was serious. I resumed my prayers, all the while talking to Kechi.

To be continued...