Your prayers and best wishes are needed

[Steve Tarrant]

On 19th March Shelley-Anne Taylor, wife of chief marshal Tony and member of the Kyalami Marshals Association, had a severe stroke whilst working in race control at the Wesbank Raceway, at Gosforth in South Africa.

Since then she has been listed as critical but stable, and has been rested in hospital whilst the doctors waited for her blood pressure to lessen before they are able to operate on the burst blood vessel in her brain.

This operation was originally scheduled for 6th April, but she has responded well, and now the surgery will be taking place tomorrow (1st) at 7AM UK time. The procedure will last between 4 and 6 hours, and obviously everyone is on tenderhooks to see that Shelley comes through this successfully.

Whilst most people here will not have worked with Shelley-Anne or Tony, I know from my own circumstances that it is times like this that the marshalling fraternity pulls together to support each other. Therefore, I am suggesting that emails be sent through, via the links on the KMA website (www.kma.org.za).

The KMA marshals themselves will be showing solidarity with Shelley in an unusual way in order to raise money. In preparation for the operation, they will be shaving Shelley's head, and therefore the marshals have decided that they also either have their hair shaved off or pay a R20 fine at their meeting on Saturday! This money is required because, whilst the illness occurred at a motorsport venue, it wasn't a motorsport accident and therefore the insurance policy covering officials doesn't cover this type of event.

I hope you will support a fallen colleague and her husband through what will be a most difficult time.


Steve

[jim69]

Great idea Steve, I have sent a short message to Tony, lets hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Steve Tarrant]

Hi all,

The initial reports after the operation are good, that everything has gone as planned. But the next 24 hours is a vulnerable time, so let hope things continue as they have started.

Steve

[jim69]

Keep us informed Steve.

[Steve Tarrant]

Will do Jim.

Know some of the KMA marshals are hoping to see Shelley-Anne this afternoon, and i will post whatever news they send over.

[Steve Tarrant]

Just received the following from Susan Marshall of KMA:-

"Tony asked me last night if I knew if you had put on your website about Shelley as they have overseas messages pouring in! I told him it's the 10/tenths website and he said to tell you thank you very much the response has been amazing.

You can put on the update that she has had her surgery and is doing extremely well and is out of ICU and danger. Will take a while before she is fully recovered but she will get there."

Good news indeed.

I know from the above Tony has said to thank me - but I don't want the credit here. I want everyone who's responded to the request to share the credit - it just shows how we can all work together when the time requires it!

[jim69]

Great news Steve. Looks very promising

[Steve Tarrant]

Received further update from Susan last night:-

"Shelley doing and looking very well. Possibly going home this weekend! Then 6 weeks to 3 months of rehabiliation needed"

Tony is also delighted with the many foreign emails he's received - and I hope to be able to post a personal message from him soon.


Steve

[jim69]

Any further update steve

[Steve Tarrant]

Originally Posted by jim69

Any further update steve

Shelley-Anne was indeed discharged from hospital last Friday, and now faces up to 3 months of rehab and rest at home to complete the recovery.

Genereally everything seems to be going well.

[jim69]

Thanks for the update. I dont know Shelly-Anne however I am still thinking of them.
Send them my best wishes Steve.

[Steve Tarrant]

Have just seen the following message on the Kyalami Marshals Association website:-

"Hi Guys,

Shelley saw Doctor this a.m. - clean bill of health-message from him to her "Get on with your life and forget that this ever happened". Again, thanks for your support in every way!

Tony"