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BIRTHDAY WISH FOR LUCY
Star News
(New Zealand)
26 March 2006
Many thanks to Calli for the article
LUCY Lawless is still comforting her cancer-stricken dad at Auckland
Hospital's intensive care unit. But former Mt Albert mayor Frank Ryan, who
has undergone two operations for bowel cancer, is showing signs of
improvement after his Xena: Warrior Princess star daughter and other family
members mounted a bedside vigil.
Frank's older brother, noted Auckland lawyer Kevin Ryan, visited him on
Thursday.
"Frank can't talk because he has had a tracheotomy, but he can write a
simple letter," Kevin said. "His whole family including Lucy are praying
that he makes a complete recovery, but that's in the hands of our maker."
Kevin, 75, said Lucy - who returned to New Zealand earlier this month for an
Auckland Starship children's hospital fundraiser - would not go back to her
Los Angeles home while her dad was in danger. "If she feels she can help by
being here, she'll stay," he said.
Lucy is turning 38 on Wednesday, and Kevin said her best birthday present
would be father's recovery.
He said Lucy was a great comfort to his daughter - 35-year-old crown
prosecutor Claire Ryan - when she was struck by the disease. She has been in
remission for five years.
Kevin said Frank, 73, had received messages of support from around the
country.
He was only diagnosed four weeks ago.
