Mary wanted to keep in touch with her former headquarters at Ikotobong. She made many canoe trips back and forth. These trips were very hard on her and she did not rest well. Many people wondered how Mary could keep on working, but she trusted God who made her strong to carry on.
During 1911 a tornado struck Mary's house at Use, one of the stations. She fixed the house herself. During this she strained herself and had a heart attack which was followed by a severe fever. Sometimes the fever was so great she was delirious. But still she would not stop working. She continued to teach school and hold worship services on Sunday.
Dr. Hitchcock of the Slessor Hospital came to see her every week.
"You must not go to Ikpe again," he said. "You must not ride your bicycle. You must spend more time resting."
But Mary disobeyed the doctor and held services the following Sunday. It was too much for her. She almost fainted before the service was over.
"You must stay in bed," said Dr. Hitchcock, "until you are well enough to get up."
"All right, doctor," said Mary.
"And you must eat meat twice a day," said the doctor.
"But I'm not a meat-eater," answered Mary.
"You're going to be, or I will send you to Duke Town for a long rest."