by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 08/97) - Violet Mackenzie, the Yellowknife woman who underwent a rare procedure to repair an aneurysm, said she feels stronger every day.

She was transferred to Stanton Regional Hospital Friday after a innovative procedure Sept. 20, at University of Alberta Hospital.

To save her life, doctors hooked her to a heart-lung machine, cooled and drained her blood, then repaired a brain aneurysm the size of a strawberry.

"I didn't know I actually would not be alive (for part of the operation)," Mackenzie said. "It was explained to me, but I was in so much pain," she said.

"I put my life in other people's hands."

Mackenzie said the kindness of others has been overwhelming.

"I appreciate all the kindness. There is so much good out there."

Mackenzie wants to get back to doing day-to-day things like taking her children to school. Prior to the operation, Mackenzie had only been in hospital twice, to give birth to her two children.

Complete recovery could take up to six months.