THROUGH your paper I would like to thank surgeon Nigel Corner, surgical nurse practitioner Darren Hird and the staff on Wards 33 and 43, also the high dependency unit, at Darlington Memorial Hospital who took great care of me when I had major surgery.

Thanks to all of them, my life goes on. It was tough, but I am still here.

Also, I would like to thank all who attended my party on April 5 at Darlington football stadium. They did me proud.

Special thanks must go to John and Milly Stoney for the decor of the room and also to Janina Emery for the highly-decorated cake which represented my life.

The theme of the party, which 110 people attended, was “I’m Still Here”. Everybody said the cake was brilliant.

Mrs Eileen Plant, Hurworth, near Darlington.