DAYS after shedding tears of joy at her daughter's engagement, Wendy Aufter was diagnosed with cancer -- and given just six months to live.

The 59-year-old grandma was told by doctors at Blackburn Royal Infirmary that she had very advanced oesophageal cancer on December 17.

The news came just five days after her daughter, Sallie, 23, announced she was to marry firefighter boyfriend Tom.

"It was a major blow -- a total shock. I was just numb. Suddenly the excitement of a wedding and Christmas just came crashing down" said Wendy, of Hillside Close, Clitheroe.

"I hadn't even had any symptoms apart from a slightly dry throat and a few problems swallowing. And suddenly I faced a life expectancy of six months."

Now the mother-of-three has fought back and has been told she could live for another five years. And she is sharing her story to help the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Magic Eye Appeal raise funds for an endoscopic ultrasound scanner.

A throat endoscopy at the hospital revealed an advanced throat tumour which needed immediate chemotherapy treatment. Wendy would have to put life on hold for a total of 17 weeks of hospital treatment.

"After the first course of chemotherapy treatment at Wythenshawe Hospital, I felt great with no side effects. But the second treatment in February really knocked me out. I was too weak to do anything."

In March, doctors discovered that deep vain thrombosis was also complicating the operation needed to save her life.

"I had to go into hospital to have an umbrella type filter inserted into one of my veins before the operation. Then surgeons removed a third of my gullet and two thirds of my stomach to fight the cancer.

"Explaining to my four-year-old grandson, Otis and my mother, aged 94, who at times was fitter than me, were really hard moments."

Wendy, who is now resuming her job of 30 year as an Avon lady, can no longer eat main meals since the operation. She also has to rely on husband John, 57, for daily injections.

She said: "Life changes but I am so grateful to the doctors for keeping me alive. They were brilliant. Now I have the wedding to look forward to, my choral 35th year wedding anniversary in September and the possibility of going back to Canada on holiday."

Throughout her battle for life, Wendy was inspired by actor John Thaw's own fight with oesophageal cancer. His celebrity wife, Sheila Hancock, backed the Magic Eye Appeal after her husband's death in February.

Wendy said: "It was a real blow to me when John died, not because I was a particular fan, but I was really knocked back. But when Sheila Hancock backed the appeal it made me want to fight forward."

"Although the doctors cannot be sure, my life expectancy now is nearer five years. Something like this really makes you think differently. It makes you look at what is really important, with a different perspective and makes you take things day to day.

"The Magic Eye Appeal is really important. Time is of the essence where cancer is concerned and this equipment will help save lives and help reduce the number of people who have to endure the treatment I have had."

The appeal will provide local cancer surgeons with the only Magic Eye scanner of its kind in Lancashire, which will help diagnosis and give a clearer picture of the extent of cancers in the stomach and throat area without the need for an operation.

It will also go a long way towards making East Lancashire a regional cancer treatment centre.

Today, officials revealed that more than £68,544 of the £200,000 grand total had been raised since the appeal launch in May, which will help patients throughout East Lancashire.

Elaine Aitkinson, Upper GI Nurse specialist at Blackburn, said: "Wendy had to go through traumatic surgery and she has been very strong. The appeal will help us have a much better diagnostic tool which will help avoid the trauma of surgery."