Karen has lived in Newmarket for 15 years having moved there from
Aldbury in Hertfordshire. It was in the very pretty village of Albury that she
first met Paul who was a jockey with a famous riding stable close by. They now
have two daughters, Natalie and Sara.
A Routine visit to the dentist revealed an ulcer on Karen's tongue and she was
stunned and deeply upset when she learned later that it was cancer. Only a
young woman, still in her thirties, a non smoker and drinker, Karen
occasionally asks "Why me"?"
Today Karen is well and happy and safely restored to her family and even feels
strong enough to return to part-time work at a local pharmacy. Like Joyce and
Marlene, Karen did not need radio-therapy after her surgery. Karen also shares
their deep regard for Mr. Cheng, not only for his skill as a surgeon but for
the care and compassion he offers his patients throughout their ordeal and also
their post operative care.
Karen's husband Paul, a Norfolk man, is planning to run for the AboutFace
Support Group in the 2002 London Marathon and has even given up his golf to get
in more training. He is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be accepted as
a contestant.
Despite the long journey, and having only just recovered from her operation,
during June 2001 Karen travelled with Paul to Swaffham in Norfolk, for the
concert presented by The Phoenix Singers, raising money for the Maxillofacial
Unit at Addenbrookes's Hospital in Cambridge, thus increasing the public's
awareness of the high incidence of Oral cancer. Karen was happy to be part of
the AboutFace Support Group
NOTE: See Role of Occupation Therapist.
Karen Wright
Karen died in the arms of her family early in 2003 after treatment for her
recurrent tongue cancer. She was 40.
Her family had been extremely supportive and courageous over Karen's illness.
We remember her determination to live life to its full and her tireless
fund-raising efforts in supporting our charity concert and her husband, Paul in
his charity marathon for Maxillofacial Surgery Research.
Karen's story will live on as a loving and courageous woman in our About Face
Support Group and in the hearts of many.
Her courage in the battle against oro-facial cancer will remain an inspiration
to us all.
|
Karen with her daughters Natalie and Sara
Karen's husband Paul with Daughters
|
