Linda Nolan has told how cancer has become a ‘way of life’ for her and admitted she’ll never beat it as she gave a health update amid her third battle with the disease.
The singer, 64, was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006. But in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.
Earlier this year, she revealed that the cancer has spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side of her brain which has left her struggling with her speech and balance.
But in a heartbreaking confession, Linda told in her latest column for The Mirror that she believes she won’t survive cancer for a third time, remarking: ‘I rang that bell twice. And I know now I won’t be ringing it again.’
In her column, Linda initially gave an update after getting some test results on Monday, revealing her elation that the cancer was at bay for now and had not grown.
Heartbreaking: Linda Nolan has told how cancer has become a ‘way of life’ for her and admitted she’ll never beat it as she gave a health update amid her third battle with the disease (pictured in 2020)
Battle: Linda Nolan has told how cancer has become a ‘way of life’ for her and admitted she’ll never beat it as she gave a health update amid her third battle with the disease (pictured in 2022)
Candid: In a heartbreaking confession, Linda told that she believes she won’t survive cancer for a third time, remarking: ‘I rang that bell twice. And I know now I won’t be ringing it again’ (pictured in September 2020)
She wrote: ‘The relief rolled over me like a wave. Thank God. My tumours are stable and haven’t got any bigger. The chemo is keeping them at bay for now. So, we carry on. Every three weeks, for as long as I can tolerate it.’
Describing how she is is so used to living with cancer, she continued: ‘I went off to have my sixth cycle then. It’s become a way of life now. I have my cancer book – a title I never thought I’d have in my library – with all my bloods, weight and so on recorded (I’ve lost 4kg, although I reckon I could live off what’s left for some time).’
After praising her nurses, Linda told how she watches other cancer patients who’ve overcome the disease and have rang the chemotherapy belly, admitting that she won’t be ringing it herself for a third time.
She said: ‘I people-watch, listen to the bleeps and the clapping when those finishing treatment ring the bell. That’s lovely, I’m always happy for them, but I rang that bell twice. And I know now I won’t be ringing it again.’
The TV personality added that she wasn’t ‘angry’ with her fate, adding that everyone is on their own ‘pathways’ on the ‘chemo ward conveyor belt’, noting that her path ‘runs straight ahead’ for now.
Linda underwent a mastectomy and 18 rounds of chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and lost her husband Brian in 2007 and younger sister Bernie 2013 to cancer, while her eldest daughter Anne overcame the illness.
Back in July, Linda revealed she’s shaved her head after losing her hair for the fourth time while battling incurable cancer.
The singer was told by doctors in March that she had two sizeable masses surrounded by smaller ones on her brain, nearly 20 years after she was first diagnosed with cancer.
Positive: In her column, Linda initially gave an update after getting some test results on Monday, revealing her elation that the cancer was at bay for now and had not grown
Sad: ‘I people-watch, listen to the bleeps and the clapping when those finishing treatment ring the bell. That’s lovely, I’m always happy for them, but I rang that bell twice. And I know now I won’t be ringing it again’
Reflection: The TV personality added that she wasn’t ‘angry’ with her fate, adding that everyone is on their own ‘pathways’ on the ‘chemo ward conveyor belt’
Speaking in an interview, Linda discussed how she had taken back control with the help of her hairdresser friend but is still ‘devastated.’
She told The Mirror: ‘My friend who is a hairdresser came round and just shaved it. Then I said “Get me a cap, we’re going out for a drink!”
‘I just feel, because I’ve been having steroid treatment as well and my face is swollen, I look like Mrs Potato Head.’
She added: ‘People say, ‘Well you know you look great’, but inside I’m screaming “I just don’t want to lose my hair again!” I was devastated at losing it.
Linda was due to start taking a new ‘wonder drug’ alongside ‘another chemotherapy drug’ for her brain tumours and hoped it will give her ‘more time’.