Helen Jayne Mckellar - Singer/Songwriter

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Archive: HELEN'S NEWSLETTER - May 2001

Dear Friend,

Thank you for subscribing for my HJ updates and thank you for your continued interest and prayers.  I am both glad and grateful!

Today I had to spend most of the day (I didn’t have a choice!) in bed resting because I 'overdid it' again this past week.  You may or may not know I have suffered with M.E./Chronic Fatigue for over 5 years now.  The great thing is my health has steadily improved but I still get days when I can’t function very well because I have forgotten to pace myself.  My enthusiasm for Life seems to take over!! Especially after listening and dancing to a whole CD of 'Mary Mary.'  Jack (my dog) just looked at me daft this morning when I was dancing ‘round the bedroom to Mary Mary’s 'Shackles' and 'What a Friend', as if to say - 'what are you doing?').  It was really funny!!

If you are one of those people who have prayed for me when there was a silent HJ, with no music and no news I want to thank you!  If you are still praying for me and for my work - thank you!  I do need it.  Miracles have happened in my life over the past few years. 

In the early days, on a good day I could crawl on my hands and knees to the toilet.  Other days I could hardly turn in bed I was so weak and had to be spoon-fed.  This was for the first 2 and a half years.  My immune system was so vulnerable and weak that I picked up every virus there was going.  I first got ill in 1994, after taking the anti-Malaria tablets called LARIUM  (never again!) in order to take a trip to Zimbabwe.  I returned to the UK very ill,  and from that time on it was downhill…..I was never really well.  My immune system was shot to pieces.

Looking back, I am thankful that I can understand suffering a lot better today …..physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally..…and now I am sitting on the other side of that 'prison'..…I know how good it feels to be out of those 'shackles!!'

The last performances I did of my songs 'Reality' and 'Dreaming in Colour'  were on BBC1 (UK) programme called First Light in 1995.  Do you remember that?  By then I had developed a kidney infection and was throwing up in the toilet in between sessions!  Apart from that, it was a great day with a lovely team of people.  I travelled home, collapsed and never got up again.  But at least it was a great way to end the chapter!

I have had great support from my caring husband, Mum and Family, a nurse & friend Stella, Pastors, and one or two specialist doctors, a nutritionist, and a clinic here in England which does medical blood tests for Food Intolerances, (I have several food intolerances and am on a special yeast-free diet at the moment).

I can’t tell you how good it is to feel alive and 85-90% well again.  Every day I wake up now and say thank you Lord!  Every day Jack (my dog) wakes up and says 'where’s my buttered Ryvita?'  (Doug brings me a cup of tea and a Ryvita to bed every morning first thing, so I have to share it with Jack!).

On Monday, I have a photo shoot for my new, long awaited CD.  Please pray for strength and patience to prepare myself, clothes etc, in order to make a decent job of it!

We are aiming to complete and release the final product by August.

If you get the time write us a short email, or share on the guestbook where ever you are in the world!

God bless you and keep you Safe.

Love Helen Jayne

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