## Cancer Patient Stranded in Dubai Makes It Home for Critical Treatment

A 47-year-old woman battling stage three cancer has described securing a last-minute flight out of Dubai as nothing short of a miracle, after regional conflict threatened to derail her life-saving chemotherapy treatment.

Lindsay Stone, from Plymouth, had been scheduled to fly home on Sunday to begin her cancer treatment at Derriford Hospital. However, her plans were thrown into chaos when her flight was cancelled following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory Iranian attacks across the region.

## Terrifying Scenes Above the Hotel

Lindsay, her husband Paul, and their children witnessed the conflict firsthand when a drone was intercepted directly above the hotel where they were staying — The Palm, located near Jebel Ali Port. Lindsay described the moment as absolutely terrifying.

The couple recalled hearing a sound resembling a sonic boom as a missile was intercepted overhead. Paul described Saturday as the most harrowing day of the ordeal.

"The Saturday especially, it did feel like this could get a lot worse and there were a lot of bombs going off," Paul said. "It was quite traumatic from that point of view."

The family also received emergency alerts on their phones warning them to stay away from windows and remain indoors. They were effectively confined to the hotel for two consecutive days.

### Exploring Every Possible Route Home

With Lindsay's treatment window closing, the couple began exploring every possible option to get back to the UK — including a gruelling 13-hour coach journey if necessary.

"If that meant we had to go and get a coach and sit in it for 13 hours, then we would have done it," Paul said, emphasising just how determined they were to ensure his wife could begin her chemotherapy on time.

Lindsay admitted that during the uncertainty, she had no idea whether she would be stuck in Dubai for one, two, or even three weeks.

## Relief as Virgin Atlantic Offers a Way Out

The family's anxiety finally eased when Virgin Atlantic confirmed that Lindsay could board a flight departing on Wednesday. She described the news as securing a "miracle flight."

The journey home was not without tension, however. Paul explained that the aircraft took a route south along Saudi Arabia before crossing over Israeli airspace.

"I think until we got past there, the plane was very quiet," he recalled. The family described an overwhelming sense of relief once they were safely out of the region.

## Thousands of Britons Still Stranded

Lindsay's story is far from unique. Thousands of British nationals remain stranded across the Middle East following the escalation of conflict. On Thursday, the first UK government-chartered flight departed the region in an effort to begin bringing some of those travellers home.

Among those caught up in the chaos was Mickey Drew, a 31-year-old from Angarrack, Cornwall, who had been travelling back from Australia with two friends when flights were suspended at Dubai airport.

"It was absolute chaos," she said, describing the experience as one of the most stressful periods of her life. Mickey's group was split across separate flights, adding to the anxiety of an already difficult situation.

"I was panicking all the way up to takeoff," she admitted. "I don't think I calmed down until we left UAE airspace."

Her group was rushed onto their aircraft with little warning before the plane took off almost immediately after boarding.

## A Story of Determination Amid Crisis

For Lindsay and Paul Stone, the ordeal underscores just how far a family will go when health and survival are on the line. Having navigated missile strikes, emergency lockdowns, and flight cancellations, Lindsay has now returned to Plymouth and is set to begin the chemotherapy treatment she so urgently needs.

A Plymouth woman with stage three cancer escaped war-torn Dubai on a miracle Virgin Atlantic flight to begin urgent chemotherapy treatment at Derriford Hospital

Cancer Patient Escapes Dubai on Miracle Flight for Chemo

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Cancer Patient Escapes War-Torn Dubai on 'Miracle Flight' to Begin Chemotherapy

## Too Wired to Wind Down? Proven Bedtime Rituals to Calm Your Body and Mind

After a long, hectic day, quieting your thoughts and drifting off to sleep can feel nearly impossible. The mental noise from deadlines, responsibilities, and unresolved worries has a way of following you straight into the bedroom. The good news? A consistent wind-down routine can signal to your body that it is time to rest — and sleep specialists have the science to back it up.

## Why a Bedtime Routine Actually Works

A thoughtfully designed evening routine does more than just help you feel relaxed — it triggers a chain of biological responses that prepare your body for sleep. When you consistently engage in calming pre-sleep habits, your brain begins to associate those activities with rest. Whether it is a quiet hobby like reading or knitting, a mindfulness practice like meditation, or simply adjusting the atmosphere in your home, these rituals communicate one clear message to your nervous system: the day is over, and it is safe to let go.

## Strategy 1: Dim the Lights Early

One of the simplest and most effective changes you can make is controlling your lighting in the evening. Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin — the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. By dimming your environment, you encourage your body to produce melatonin naturally and ease into a sleepy state.

### Try This Tonight

Switch off harsh overhead lights in your living room and bedroom as the evening progresses. Replace them with dimmable lamps or bulbs with a lower wattage. When you are ready for bed, turn off all lamps completely. Keep in mind that even small amounts of light can interrupt your sleep — even through closed eyelids. If blackout curtains are not an option, an eye mask is a worthwhile investment.

## Strategy 2: Lower Your Body Temperature

According to Dr. Seema Khosla, a sleep medicine physician and host of the *Talking Sleep* podcast, the speed at which your body temperature drops directly influences how quickly you fall asleep. A cooler core temperature is a biological cue that tells your brain it is time to shut down for the night.

### Try This Tonight

Take a warm shower or bath before bed. The contrast between stepping out of a warm shower and into a cool room encourages a rapid drop in body temperature, which accelerates the onset of sleep. Set your thermostat to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit for an ideal sleep environment. A cooler room may make a surprising difference in both how fast you fall asleep and the quality of rest you get.

## Strategy 3: Protect Your Emotional State Before Bed

Anything that triggers strong emotions — whether excitement, anxiety, or stress — can keep your nervous system on high alert and make sleep difficult. Sleep researchers emphasize the importance of cultivating a sense of safety and calm as bedtime approaches.

### Try This Tonight

Take an honest look at your current evening habits. Are you scrolling through work emails, getting caught up in stimulating conversations, or planning exciting events right before bed? These activities may seem harmless but can elevate your emotional arousal at the worst possible time. Instead, opt for small, meaningful moments of connection — a hug with a loved one, a few minutes of gentle conversation, or a brief gratitude practice. These simple acts can foster a sense of well-being that eases you into sleep.

## Strategy 4: Empty Your Mind Onto Paper

A racing mind filled with tomorrow's to-do list or unresolved worries is one of the most common barriers to falling asleep. Rather than lying in the dark hoping those thoughts will disappear, sleep experts recommend addressing them proactively — before the lights go out.

### Try This Tonight

Keep a notebook on your nightstand. Before bed, write down every concern, task, or lingering thought that is occupying mental space. Next to each one, jot down a single, concrete action step you plan to take the following day. The key here is not to solve the problem — attempting to do so can actually increase mental arousal and keep you awake even longer. Simply acknowledging each stressor and assigning it a next step is enough to signal to your brain that it has been handled and can be set aside until morning.

## Build Your Routine One Step at a Time

You do not need to overhaul your entire evening schedule overnight. Start by incorporating one or two of these strategies and build from there. The goal is to create a consistent, calming pre-sleep ritual that your body and mind begin to recognize as the bridge between the busyness of the day and the deep rest you need each night. Over time, these habits can transform not just how quickly you fall asleep, but the overall quality of your rest.

Struggling to fall asleep? Discover expert-backed bedtime rituals that calm your mind, lower stress, and prepare your body for deep, restful sleep.

Bedtime Rituals to Calm Your Body and Mind for Sleep

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Too Wired to Wind Down? Proven Bedtime Rituals to Calm Your Body and Mind

## 'He Died Alone': Bereaved Families Have the Final Say at the Covid Inquiry

After three years of extensive public hearings, the UK Covid inquiry concluded its testimony phase this week — and the most powerful voices saved for last were those of the people who lost the most.

Rivka Gottlieb was among the final witnesses to speak. She described her father, Michael, as a vibrant 73-year-old who worked part-time at a golf shop and volunteered teaching children at his local synagogue. Today, she says she remains haunted by one unbearable truth: he died without anyone by his side.

### A Family Torn Apart by the Pandemic

In March 2020, just as the United Kingdom entered its first national lockdown, both Michael and his wife Mili were admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in north London, each placed on separate wards after presenting with Covid symptoms.

"We were just expecting him to be given a bit of oxygen and then he'd be sent home," Rivka recalled.

Instead, Michael's condition rapidly worsened. His cough became so severe that he could no longer speak, and he resorted to sending a WhatsApp message to his family to inform them he was being placed on a ventilator. Two weeks later, doctors delivered the devastating news that he would not recover. The family was told life support would be withdrawn.

"It was a dark and terrifying time," Rivka said. "I feared the worst every time the phone rang."

Mili was discharged after one week but has never fully recovered. She now rarely leaves her home, suffering from long-term effects including breathlessness, chronic confusion, and persistent stomach pain.

## Three Years of Testimony: The Scope of the Covid Inquiry

The final week of hearings included more than eight hours of deeply emotional testimony from bereaved relatives. Since public hearings commenced in June 2023, the inquiry has gathered oral evidence from 381 witnesses across London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, while reviewing an extraordinary 600,000 documents — ranging from WhatsApp messages to personal diary entries.

The inquiry examined testimony not only from prime ministers, senior government officials, and leading scientists, but also from frontline workers including hospital porters, cleaners, care workers, and nurses who lived through the crisis firsthand.

In total, 42 bereaved relatives have given evidence since the hearings began, with 12 chosen to testify during the final two days alone.

### The Staggering Human and Financial Cost

More than 227,000 people in the UK died with Covid listed as a cause on their death certificate between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization officially declared an end to the global health emergency.

The inquiry itself has become one of the most expensive in British history. Costs have climbed to £204 million, with the government spending an additional £111 million on its own legal representation and staffing.

The final phase of hearings this winter focused on the pandemic's broader societal impact — including the closure of sporting venues, cultural institutions, and religious facilities, as well as the treatment of vulnerable populations and the widespread deterioration of mental health across the UK.

## 'The Doors Shut and That Was It'

Time and again, families described the anguish of being separated from dying loved ones due to strict social distancing measures — a wound that for many has never fully healed.

Glen Grundle from Coleraine in Northern Ireland described watching his 73-year-old mother, Milda, leave in an ambulance in April 2020. He never saw her again.

"The doors shut and that was it," he said. "I have no closure and no peace over it."

Other families spoke of the immense frustration of being unable to obtain clear information from hospitals and care homes. Many said they felt shut out — unable to ask questions or receive honest updates about their relatives' deteriorating conditions.

### Funerals Without Comfort, Grief Without Community

Pandemic restrictions also fundamentally altered the way people were able to mourn. Funeral attendance was capped at various points, and social distancing rules prevented relatives from offering or receiving physical comfort during their darkest moments.

Only nine people — including the rabbi — were permitted to attend Michael Gottlieb's funeral in April 2020. The remainder of his family and friends were forced to watch memorial prayers through a video link. Rivka was unable to embrace her grieving mother or participate in the traditional Jewish ritual of throwing earth onto the coffin.

"I remember how unreal it all felt, and that we were still in a state of shock," she said. "My mother was completely isolated, and the impact of her grief has been profound, complex and far-reaching."

Families from Northern Ireland and Scotland recounted being unable to hold traditional wakes. Others described returning home alone after funerals to empty, silent houses.

Sharon Boswell, whose husband George died from Covid in February 2021 at just 52 years old, captured the weight of that isolation with quiet devastation.

"I remember sitting on the sofa, the TV was on, but no one was home with me," she said. "I thought: I'm sitting here by myself. I've just had a funeral for my husband. I felt very isolated, I felt alone, I felt unhappy — just everything you possibly could feel."

## A Nation Still Processing Its Grief

As the Covid inquiry formally concludes its public hearing stage, the testimony of these families serves as a sobering reminder that behind every statistic lies a deeply personal story of loss, longing, and the enduring need for answers. The inquiry's findings and recommendations are expected to shape how the UK prepares for — and responds to — future public health emergencies.

The UK Covid inquiry concludes three years of hearings as bereaved families give final testimony on isolation, loss, and the pandemic's lasting emotional toll.

Cancer Patient Escapes War-Torn Dubai on 'Miracle Flight' to Begin Chemotherapy

Too Wired to Wind Down? Proven Bedtime Rituals to Calm Your Body and Mind

Final Voices of the Covid Inquiry: Families Reflect on Loss, Isolation, and Grief