Linda Nolan knows she won't beat cancer for a third time.
Linda Nolan has incurable cancer
The 64-year-old star was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 before being told she was tumour-free a year later but revealed last month that the secondary cancer discovered on her pelvis in 2017 had spread to her brain, and she admitted undergoing treatment has become a "way of life" for her now.
She wrote in a column for the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "I went off to have my sixth cycle [of chemotherapy]. 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).
"I know the nurses — they’re a great ear, they listen if you need to chat or are feeling low.
"And 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.
"That doesn’t make me angry though, we’re all on our own pathways here on the great chemo ward conveyor belt. And for now, mine runs straight ahead."
But the 'I'm in the Mood for Dancing' singer received "good news" from her consultant this week because tests showed her tumours are not currently growing any bigger.
She wrote: "You walk towards that consultant’s door and tell yourself 'I’m OK'. Then you reach it and know you’re really not.
"I took sister Anne with me on Monday for my scan results and we were both nervous. But this time, it was good news.
"For starters, I was actually walking – my mobility has improved for some time, and deep down I’d hoped that was a good sign (although I’m still forgetting words – but at least that’s funny).
"Turns out, I was right. 'I can honestly say these scans are great,' said my lovely consultant. Those words. Few could sound sweeter.
"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."
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