By DANIEL JACKSON
Jokes, laughter and the sound of clinking champagne glasses filled Colleen Poutsma's home near Paihia yesterday when friends and family celebrated her return.
The 47-year-old, who is dying from cervical cancer, was the centre of attention after she arrived by helicopter from St Joseph's Hospice at the Mercy Hospital in Auckland.
"I'm feeling pretty good at the moment. I'm so happy to be home," Mrs Poutsma told the Herald.
It was her complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner in 1998 about treatment she received that has culminated in a charge of disgraceful misconduct against Northland specialist Graham Parry.
The Auckland Helicopter Rescue Trust flew Mrs Poutsma to her home on the banks of the Waitangi River via the east coast, where she was able to look out on camping grounds where the family had stayed in happier times.
She was accompanied on the flight by her daughter Suzie, 19, and son Mark, 13, and was greeted by more than 20 friends who were waiting for her with champagne and smiles.
"I'm here for healing and to enjoy being with my family and friends," Mrs Poutsma said.
"I want to thank everyone for the support and love they have given me."
Less than two weeks ago she had been wracked with pain and slipping in and out of consciousness as she suffered from the side-effects of drugs being used to manage her condition.
Her husband, Jack Poutsma, said a change in her pain medication had achieved dramatic results and allowed her to return to her family for the time she has left.
"There was a time we thought she wouldn't be able to make it home but now she's comfortable and she's got a quality of life again," Mr Poutsma said.
The flight took 50 minutes instead of the three hours it would have taken to drive.
Mrs Poutsma said she was pleased that her complaint in 1998 had grown.
"When I started out it was on my own behalf but now it has snowballed.
"Hopefully it is making quite a few services coordinate and communicate with each other so perhaps this won't happen again to someone else."
Mr Poutsma said an ACC assessor would visit his wife at home and assess her needs for care and support.
"I'm hopeful they will provide some assistance. Otherwise the family will cope."
One of the Poutsmas' friends, Jan Williams, helped to organise yesterday's welcome.
She said Mrs Poutsma was the type of person who always thought of others.
Her friends had rallied around to hold the party to show her that she was loved.
Helicopter trust chief paramedic Barry Watkin said it was a pleasure to be involved in flying Mrs Poutsma home.
"We wanted to see her get the best trip home possible."
The trust had had another rescue helicopter on standby during the flight in case of emergencies elsewhere.
Mr Watkin said the cost of the flight would be worked out between ACC and the trust.
Family and friends repay a debt of love to dying woman
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