Love of my son keeps me alive

7:00pm Monday 10th July 2006

A MOTHER who three times was given 48 hours to live, today told how her love for her young son has kept her alive one year after she was first told she had just hours left alive.

And Marion Motupalli, who has been dubbed an "inspiration" by staff at East Lancashire hospice and chosen as the face of their new website, was even well enough to open Saturday's Hospice summer fair.

Seven doctors told the 45-year-old she would not live longer than last Christmas but after ongoing chemotherapy and a determination to be there for her four-year-old son, Harry, she has continued to fuel her fight for life.

She said: "I feel blessed to still be here. I am a year past my sell-by-date. But if it wasn't for Harry I don't think I could've done it. I went very bad again earlier this year. They said I had six weeks. But I am now in remission again. I don't know how long for. Hopefully a few months. I just take each day as it comes."

Marion has herself been in the Blackburn hospice twice and her family, who held bedside vigils, have prepared themselves four times for her death.

The brave mother-of-four, of The Dene, Beardwood, Blackburn, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after months of unexplained weight gain resulted in the discovery of a tumour the size of a rugby ball.

When it was discovered in January, the tumour was in its third stage of development with stage four having the least likely percentage of survival.To remove it she also had to have her womb, ovaries, part of her small intestine and her bowel taken away. But the tumour has wrapped itself around major arteries so can never be extracted in full without causing fatal bleeding.

It was spotted by her husband, Murthy, a GP at Blackburn Road Medical Practice, Accrington, who Marion said has saved her life.

On Saturday Marion stood in front of crowds at the Park Lee Road centre to cut a ribbon to open the hospice annual summer fair.

The fair, a major fundraiser for the hospice, had activities including a bouncy castle, face painting, pony rides, badge making, beat the goalie, craft stalls, massages, Virgin Vie Cosmetics, crystal therapy and a handmade card stall.

Marion added: "I am so very lucky to have a wonderful family around me. They help me so much and take care of Harry. He is too young to understand but my older children and my husband are amazing. I'm not ready to go."

Hospice fundraising manager Harry Grayson said the event had been a success with fine weather and a good turnout, and plenty of funds raised for the hospice.

He said: "We would like to thank the people who attended and also extend a thanks to Marion for doing us the honour of opening the event.

"Marion is a remarkable lady who was given two days to live over 12 months ago. She is inspirational to the staff and volunteers alike."

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