This web site is established to keep people informed of Margaret's treatment and progress.
If you would like to send a message to Margaret or the family click here. (We'll ask this question again later, you can read on first, you can also use the links at the top of the page to navigate this site.)
Margaret was diagnosed with a brain tumor on 28 April 2000. The neurosurgeon's assessment of the MRI scan is that it is a Grade 3 or Grade 4 glioblastoma. This is a very aggressive tumor, which does not alter brain cells but causes damage by rapid growth and pressure on the brain.
(For information on brain tumors, click here)
Margaret is to be admitted to Canberra Hospital Tuesday for surgery to remove the tumor (approximately four centimetres in diameter) on Wednesday morning 3 May 2000. It is a risky and long operation.
We will use this site for news updates.
The tumour will be examined on removal and we will have a better view of the outlook then.
These first few days, from diagnosis to admission to hospital, are frenetic but very happy days, with the family gathered and with Margaret much as ever, with her smiles and generosity of spirit, with just a bit of pain, tired but able to reflect on much past and present happiness.
Dennis Argall, husband, was here throughout.
Daughters Liz [20] and Cat [17] came home from Melbourne on the overnight bus Friday morning and came to the critical medical appointments.
Son Nick and his wife Sheoni and children Sean [2] and Brianna [6 months] arrived Saturday from Melbourne.
Margaret's sister Mary Pollard and family live in Canberra and are with us too.
Margaret through these days has been still the person she is in the photo gallery - click here to go to the photo gallery. We love her.
I would like to thank Nick for rapidly installing a basic page on 30 April, Liz for drafting her friend Ashley Flynn, who took leave on 1 May to help us get this done swiftly with professional style, Liz and Ashley burning the midnight oil.
To send a message to us, press here.
Liz's Webpage can be found here. May we also invite you to read Liz's story, The Prophet's Sister. Click here to read. Margaret and I are immensely proud of Liz's work and this story in particular embodies the sorts of ideals most important to us.
Dennis Argall, April 30 2000