Ruth's Story

Hi - my name is Ruth Bedford and I am a 'breast cancer survivor'. On the 1st November 1999 I had a Left Mastectomy and reconstruction using a Latissimus Flap plus the excision of a lesion from my right breast. I am pleased to report I am in excellent health - the best ever and I would so love to be an inspiration to other women who have had the same experience.

I think for me, embracing the possibility of death and dying really freed me up to actually start living! The best thing I've done is to participate in a health, nutrition and exercise regime called 'body for life' (no I am NOT employed by them!) I have been living this programme for 2 years now. Being a 'solo mum' and the only parent financially responsible for my then 13 year old son - plus being a hairdresser (hard work, especially when you can hardly move your arm!) I have found being fit has made a profound difference to all areas of my life. I get up at 4.40am Mon - Fri in order to work out at the gym and on Sundays I go for a run.

Being 56 years old and able to wear a bikini (on the beach in Fiji) for the first time in 20 years was a marvelous experience for me. I think it's so easy to give up on ourselves when we turn 50 without the added emotional stress of experiencing breast cancer - it's just so great to know it really doesn't have to be this way!

Ruth's Story

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