'I was so angry, it felt so unfair - I just want to make memories now with my family'

A grandmother who was not expected to see December 25 last year after being diagnosed with rare terminal cancer is now set to enjoy her second Christmas of 2023. Karen Spencer-Craig, 66, had an early round of festivities in November with her family, but outlived her prognosis for a second round of turkey and gifts next week.

The retired sixth form teacher was told she had less than two years to live in 2020 after a melanoma found in her eye developed as a secondary cancer in her liver. She was not expected to make it to Christmas 2022.

Despite feeling “furiously angry” at her prognosis at first, Karen, who lives on her own in Manchester, has now accepted it and is focused on making memories with her children and grandchildren – her youngest being three-and-a-half.

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She has decided to stop having treatment due to its negative effects on her as she is “not prepared to put (her) family through that anymore”. Karen initially had plans to take an adult gap year and work in animal sanctuaries in Australia and New Zealand this year.

But knowing her time is limited and fearing she would not make December, Karen enjoyed an early Christmas in November this year with all her family. Now looking forward to another round of festivities next week, the mum-of-two credits a new friend group she has made with other people with terminal diagnoses with “saving” her.

Karen, who has two children, Joe, 41, and Heather, 39, told PA Real Life: “There are times when I’m not really very well and other times where I seem to be really