Linda Nolan, who is living with incurable cancer, has revealed she’s “praying” she “keeps going” and that this Christmas won’t be her last.
The singer was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, the same disease that killed her sister Bernie in 2013. She beat it once in 2006, but the illness returned in 2017 and spread to her hip, liver and brain.
Despite the unimaginable mental and physical challenges that are common with cancer, Linda is trying to live her best life by making every celebration and every special moment with loved ones count.
Linda Nolan’s Christmas wish amid cancer battle
The Celebrity Big Brother star is prone to frequent injuries because of her health condition affecting her legs and movement. After suffering another fall last week, the star said: “I’ll use jokes and humour as a way to cope, but of course it’s scary. And I have my days where I’m terribly down,” she said, after revealing that she tries to stay “positive”.
I’ve always loved Christmas, my mum and dad would always make it so special for us.
When asked about the forthcoming holiday, Linda opened up about her fears. She said her Christmas wish is to “keep breathing and see another one”.
However, she is also looking forward to the celebrations with her sisters – although she’ll see Loose Women star Coleen on Boxing Day as she’ll be with her family on Christmas Day.
With 20 of her friends and family coming over, they will celebrate the lives of her beloved sister Bernie, Aunty Theresa and their mum and dad, Linda said.
New Year plans
The TV star has an equally thrilling New Year’s celebration lined up. She will be ringing in the New Year with a party in a hotel up the road with Coleen and more friends.
Recollecting her childhood memories of the festive season, the 65-year-old singer said: “I’ve always loved Christmas, my mum and dad would always make it so special for us. And that’s carried on all our lives. I still shout: ‘He’s been!’ every Christmas morning like I did when I was little. We’ll eat, drink and sing carols. And I should point out, I won’t be cooking. I have cancer, that’s my excuse,” she told OK! Magazine, with a wink.
One topic she avoids discussing
Linda is being taken care of by her sister Denise. She moved in with her after suffering a fall that left her looking like she had “gone five rounds with Mike Tyson”.
The TV star enjoys socialising and getting out at least twice a week, as it helps her “stay positive”. As a result, she doesn’t like discussing wills and finances, forcing herself to think about the end of her life. She hates to think about her “affairs”, which imply “it’s final”.
Instead, she likes to spend every Christmas and New Year thinking she’ll make it to the next. But sadly she admitted she’s consumed by worries that this could be her last Christmas. “I’m still here and enjoying life. But we have to pray I keep going. I mean, I am not scared of dying. I’m sad that it’s going to happen.”
Read more: Strictly star Amy Dowden handed warning by Linda Nolan as singer returns to hospital
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