Singer Frankie Bridge has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster she experienced after doctors discovered a benign tumour in her neck.
The former Saturdays singer revealed how the health scare – which initially left her fearing the worst – prompted her to reevaluate her approach to life and health.
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Frankie Bridge issues update amid health battle
Frankie shared on Instagram that she underwent an MRI scan last year to investigate persistent daily headaches.
While the headaches were ultimately linked to stress, the scan revealed an unexpected and rare finding: a benign tumour growing along her spinal cord and neck.
“The call knocked me sideways,” the Loose Women star wrote. “They had no idea what it was at the time, and I obviously thought the worst. I was so angry at myself for not going to the doctors sooner.”
Doctors later identified the tumour as a benign subependymoma, a rare growth unrelated to her headaches. For now, the tumour does not require surgery but will be monitored for any changes.
“It made me realise that things can be happening within my body, and I’d have no idea,” she continued.
“This thing has been growing there for probably my whole life. There’s so many other things that could be doing exactly the same and I could have avoided them.”
In her post, Frankie delved into the impact of stress on her health. She also revealed that it has contributed not only to her headaches but also to gut issues and muscle tension.
“Every time a doctor tells me to find the time to ‘manage my stress’ I just laugh,” the star admitted. “I have depression, anxiety, two kids, a husband, a job, and many other factors of my life that, like everyone, create stress. Stress is just a part of my everyday life.”
‘This is my time’
Frankie also acknowledged her tendency to push herself to unrealistic standards.
“I expect myself to be 100% at all times. Even though I’ve always known this is impossible, it hasn’t stopped me from trying – and punishing myself every day I haven’t succeeded. And to be honest with you, I’ve had enough.”
The mother of two now hopes to adopt the ‘1% theory’ – focusing on making small, sustainable changes to improve her wellbeing.
Frankie first opened up about her tumour in February last year during an appearance on Loose Women.
She revealed that she had to process the diagnosis alone, as her husband, Wayne Bridge, was away at the time.
“I was in the middle of cooking the boys’ dinner,” she recalled. “Instantly, I thought, that’s it, this is my time, I’m going to be sick. I did go straight to: ‘Oh God, I’m gonna die.'”
Despite her initial panic, Frankie found comfort in the fact that the tumour was benign and didn’t require immediate treatment.
The experience has left Frankie determined to prioritise her health and find ways to manage stress more effectively.
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