Mphy

lovingly. After all these years, she still had that mischievous look in
her eyes, and he was still very much in love with her.

There was also another special couple attending the celebration.
Alphy’s younger brother, Cyril and his wife Mildred. They stood
beside Alphy and Margurita, in attendance during the service. Their
presence represented the past attendance of the best man and the
bridesmaid, who had stood beside Alphy and Margurita fifty years
ago, but who could not be here this day, as they had already gone
to that eternal shore.

Alphy and Margurita had seen many changes during their fifty
years of married life. They had weathered many difficult times and
had embraced life as a team.

By 1985, there were two more Doucette children who had gone
through marriage difficulties which ended in marriage separation -
Joan and Bobby had divorced, and Ida and Lloyd had also separated.

In the fall of 1985, Alphy suffered another setback. He was
hospitalized with prostate problems and underwent surgery. Following
the operation, there developed more complications.

In the winter of 1986, Alphy’s physical condition worsened to
the point where he could no longer walk. He had lost the use of his
legs. Alphy’s family doctor, Dr. Verma made a referral for Alphy to
see a specialist in Charlottetown. From Charlottetown, Alphy was
sent to Moncton, where he underwent more tests. From the time
Alphy lost sensation in his legs to the time of the diagnosis, Alphy
spent a lot of time in the hospital. After several weeks of
anticipation, finally the doctors had an answer for the family. Alphy
had a “pinched nerve”.

The doctors recommended that a simple operation might bring
relief. They told the family there were no guarantee that Alphy
would regain complete mobility, as the pinched nerve might only be
part of the problem. But without the surgery his condition would

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