The Henson Journals

[290]

Saturday, May 15th, 1926. Dr Drummond's Nursing Home. Newcastle.

I take up the story of my life from the point at which the record was broken off on Sunday afternoon May 9th. In the course of the afternoon I found myself feeling extremely ill. Nevertheless, I determined to make an effort to carry out my promise to preach at All Saints, Monkwearmouth. Accompanied by Lionel, I left the Castle shortly after 5 p.m., & motored to the Church. I was in much pain, which the motion of the car did nothing to relieve. However, I robed, & sat in the Sanctuary while the service proceeded. But my pain increased, and when it was time for me to preach, I was quite unable to do more than crawl out of the Church on Lionel's arm. I got into the Car, & was carried back to the Castle in agony. There I went at once to bed, & sent for McCullagh. He gave me some remedies, & bade me remain in bed on Monday. Then, however, my state was worse: he suspected appendicitis, & asked to be allowed to send for Mr Turner, the Newcastle specialist. Happily Turner was accessible, & came over at once. He confirmed the diagnosis, & ordered an operation.

[291]

He insisted on immediate action. So, accompanied by McCullagh & Lionel, for the 3rd time in succession I traversed the 25 miles between Bishop Auckland & Newcastle. It was truly avia dolorosa. Groups of strikers were about the roads, & as we passed through Birtley we were stoned. At last we reached our journey's end, & I was received into the Nursing Home, where on Tuesday morning I underwent the operation, which (as the appendix was "virulent" and "gangrenous") probably saved my life.

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