A Tayport woman who is seriously ill with cancer is determined to attend her daughter’s wedding at Broughty Castle on Friday.
Tricia McDougall, who dropped four stones in weight over the last two months due to the aggressive disease, spent last week in the hospice at St Andrews Community Hospital.
Out now, she is looking forward to the wedding of her daughter Victoria Edwards to partner of seven years, Grant Fettes.
“Mum just got out of the hospice,” said Vicky. “A wheelchair arrived today so we can make sure she gets to the castle for the ceremony.
“Mum is not at all well but I just wanted to be sure she was there for my wedding. She is really looking forward to it.”
Family and friends are setting up a charity, Tricia’s Wish, with the aim of providing an alternative healing centre for cancer patients in Fife. The hope is to raise around £120,000 for the annual running costs, which would include renting suitable premises.
Ultimately, the charity aims to raise around £500,000 to buy a house and create an alternative healing centre.
“Alternative healing has helped my mum immensely,” said Vicky. “We pay a fortune for her healing but there are healers out there willing to help us if we can get the charity up and running.Support”We have had some fund-raising events and are just needing as much support as we can get. We would like to carry on with this for my mum.”
Tricia was once an enthusiastic world traveller and workaholic, but the cancer that is spreading through her body has left 48-year-old very weak and unable to work.
“Even when she had to stop working full-time she went and worked a couple of days a week at Falkland Palace last summer,” said Vicky. “They’ve been on the phone asking if she will do it again but she isn’t able for it.”
About six years ago doctors at Ninewells Hospital diagnosed incurable colon cancer. Surgeons removed Tricia’s large bowel and later performed a full hysterectomy. The cancer spread through her body and she now has tumours on her liver.
Tricia’s sister Marilyn Evans has temporarily moved into the Tayport house to provide care. Tricia’s son Antony (16) also lives with her. Tricia’s other sisters, Gill Durham and Anne Baker, are on the Tricia’s Wish committee.To find out more about the charity go to www.triciaswish.co.uk