Over the last 77 years Margaret has been a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunt, a Godmother (several times over), a companion, a transporter of the sick to hospital and travellers to Stansted Airport, a school year organiser and a general ear to cry on.  And, somehow, she managed to keep the G.L.C. working smoothly!

Until early last year Margaret had been in good health.  Unfortunately bowel cancer was diagnosed and an operation to remove the transverse colon was carried out at Colchester University Hospital in June and Margaret made a good recovery.  Our mother had the same operation and lived for another 21 years before dying after a stroke.  Following Margaret's operation a scan revealed a small liver abnormality and the consultant and oncologist were unable to decide if this was a malignancy or a benign anomaly.

Scans and details of Margaret's history were passed to the Pelican Centre (PElvicLIverCANcer) in Basingstoke, this being one of the most advanced centres for liver treatment in the country.  Before any decision had been made, Margaret developed jaundice.  A stent was placed in the bile duct but the condition did not improve and following yet more scans a tumour was found on the head of the pancreas.  Unfortunately the country went to sleep for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year, leaving Margaret feeling very unwell (jaundice isn't fun - I had infective hepatitis in 1958 and can still remember the discomfort).  To compound the difficulties her companion, Alan Shaw, was urgently admitted to hospital just before Christmas with a perforated ulcer and peritonitis and Margaret spent a couple of weeks in the worst weather for 30 odd years, commuting between home and the hospital - when she should have been resting at home.  Fortunately the jaundice abated somewhat and Margaret was able to drink the occasional cup of tea.  Anyone who knew our mother and her five sisters will realise the significance of a cup of tea to the female members of our family!

Margaret will be admitted to Basingstoke Hospital on 3rd February for some serious surgery scheduled for Friday 4th February.  I feel that this will be a good way to disseminate news of Margaret's recovery to her many relatives and friends worldwide and it will be updated every day as soon as I have obtained the facts.  This does not mean that I don't wish to be contacted by telephone.  I am here almost every day, all day!

Telephone:-   02085083639         Mobile:-   07748772891         email:-   quaife@talktalk.net