CANTEEN KAY FACES HORROR OP

By Parastou Alizadeh

Kay Ashby, a well-known face in the canteen, has exclusively revealed to Westminster news that she plans to retire, following a wrist injury that has left her facing a hand operation to relieve her pain.

Kay, a youthful looking 67 year old, fell onto her left hand while walking to work just before Christmas. She has been told that she has damaged the nerves and small bones in her wrist, causing her pain and weakness in the hand. Rather than face an operation, Kay has decided to retire in July.

Kay said: "The doctor told me that I now have arthritis in that hand caused by the fall. I was so shocked to hear that my fall caused arthritis but he explained to me that my bones were crushing each other and that is what had caused it - all after I fell.

"I had to miss five weeks of work after the fall. The doctors say that I should have an operation but I don't like doctors and hospitals. The attention I had in Northwick Park was excellent but you hear of so many stories when people go in for an operation and come out worse."

Kay tripped on a loose paving slab while on her two mile walk to work. She was sent to Northwick Park Hospital by her canteen colleagues, and after a number of x-rays and several follow-up appointments was told that although nothing was broken she had developed some arthritis.

Kay cannot lift heavy objects and now faces a dilemma about whether to have an operation, which would mean more time off work.

She said: "I am going to retire in July anyway because I want to be free to enjoy my time. I work here five days a week. The university does not know officially that I am retiring. I have hinted it to them though. I want to have fun before it all ends. Life is too short you see."

She continues to walk to work everyday, which takes 45 minutes, and she claims is the secret of her youthful looks.