Mother sees her dream come true
May 5 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
FIGHTING a brain tumour which will impair her sight, Liz McKay had her dream come true after seeing her daughter walk down the aisle.
The 61-year-old is battling the cancer which she had been unaware was growing inside her for years and showing no symptoms.
Daughter Suzanne brought her wedding to husband Mark Kennerley forward a month so the grandmother-of-three could enjoy the day with family and friends.
The couple married during an emotional ceremony at Redworth Hall in County Durham where the mother of the bride, from South Shields, took centre stage. They surprised guests with a dance routine they had choreographed themselves, as well as reciting their own vows.
Last night Mrs McKay said: “It was absolutely fabulous and it was just a joy to be there from morning to end. There were so many surprises, they had written their own vows which I didn’t know about so that was lovely, very emotional.
“It was just so lovely, there were lots of family and friends there. It was very emotional for us.”
Suzanne, 32, who now lives in Southampton with her husband, 28, signed her mother up for a makeover on ITV1’s This Morning where she was given a designer outfit and a special wig designed by celebrity hair stylist Trevor Sorbie.
Husband of 39 years Dave, 62, added: “Liz looked stunning, she looked better on the day than she did on the television. People said to us that it only added to how important it was on the day.
“She amazed us and got up about 8am and had breakfast before getting herself ready and she was up until quarter past midnight. She was going to have a little bit of a rest in between the meals and the evening reception but she just totally ignored all the advice and carried on.
“Liz amazed everyone and she really, really enjoyed herself.”
Mrs McKay, of Whalton Court, began having difficulty with her sight last September and visited her optician who referred her to a doctor. Tests revealed the grandmother-of-three had a tumour pressing against her optic nerve.
She was transferred from South Tyneside District Hospital to Newcastle General Hospital where surgery was carried out and she underwent an intense course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Suzanne, an air-traffic controller, added: “It was an unbelievable and unforgettable day. Basically what made it special was that every single person was having so much fun and that made our day extremely special.”
The couple are due to honeymoon in South Africa and Namibia later this year and are currently enjoying a spa weekend in the Midlands.
She added: “My mum looked unbelievable, out of this world.
“She had the same stuff on from the makeover but she looked so much better and was so much more relaxed.
“Just seeing her on that day was incredible, she was just beaming with energy and fun, which continued into the following day. It was just a pleasure seeing mum and dad happy and so relaxed.”
