Kenny Richey's mum diagnosed with lung cancer

Published on Thursday 24 February 2011 13:29

THE mother of former Death Row inmate Kenny Richey has been diagnosed with lung cancer, it was revealed today.

Eileen Richey was diagnosed five weeks ago after visiting doctors complaining of a pain in her chest, and now faces an operation to remove a growth from her lung.

The 66-year-old, who lives in Dalry, is on daily medication to numb the pain while she waits for the operation at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Mrs Richey's partner, Brian Stoddart, said she had been left "worried and upset" after being diagnosed, but had given up cigarettes in a bid to aid her recovery.

Her family are now waiting anxiously for news, with sons Kenny and Steven calling their mother several times a week from the United States, while their brother Tom, who is serving 65 years for murder in a US prison, has been writing her letters of support.

Richey, who spent 21 years on Death Row before being released, returned to the US in April 2009 to be with their father, Jim, who died after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Mr Stoddart, 60, said: "Eileen had been suffering pains in her chest over Christmas and went to her GP. They recommended she went for tests at the ERI, where she had a scan and had a camera fed down her throat to take some images.

"We were taken into a room by a doctor who told us it was cancer. It's left her very worried.

"We were told we'd be contacted within two weeks with a date for the operation.

"We phoned the nurse back after two weeks and she said there was still no date, but would be in touch. But we've not heard anything back and that's been five weeks.

"We're worried it could spread or something if they don't operate soon."

Kenny Richey, 46, who lives in Minnesota with his ex-wife, Wendy Amerud, suffered his own health scare in 2008 when doctors feared he had developed mouth cancer. The former US Marine has also had a history of heart problems.

Mr Stoddart, who works as a driver for a building contractor, added: "Kenny and Steven have been calling from America since they found out and Tom has been writing beautiful letters from prison.

"They're just waiting for news about when Eileen can have the operation then see where it goes from there."