A GRANDMOTHER who suffered two heart attacks as she recovered from cancer has returned to the ward where she spent three weeks fighting for her life to thank staff.

The odds were stacked against Kathleen Kettle, 69, from Aveley, when she went into cardiac arrest last year, having lost seven of her siblings, two who were only in their forties, to heart attacks. Mrs Kettle is one of 12 children.

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The grandmother-of-four had been given the all-clear after being diagnosed with cancer in May 2012, but her condition took a turn for the worst at the end of August. After going into cardiac arrest twice, once in the ambulance on her way to hospital, Mrs Kettle spent three weeks in intensive care and doctors said she was as ill as anyone possibly could be, but she pulled through.

Mrs Kettle’s daughter Samantha Ashton, 48, also from Aveley, has praised staff at Basildon Hospital’s Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, who battled to save her mum.

One year on, the mother and daughter paid staff an emotional visit to say thank you, as well as taking in cake and chocolates for the team.

Mrs Ashton said they didn’t recognise her mum at first because of how ill she had looked when she was under their care.

She said: “My family slept at the hospital and spent three weeks on Colne Ward praying for a miracle while watching the staff work non-stop to save the lives of very sick patients.

“Their professional, friendly approach helped guide my family through the most traumatic experience and we cannot thank them enough.

“We thought we were going to lose her, but thank heavens she is doing really well now.

“My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary in June and this happened because of the hard work, dedication and excellent care by all of the staff.”