Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein has spoken out about her breast cancer diagnosis, as well as the surgery she underwent and how it has taken her time to recover
Carol Klein praised the pale yellow rambling rose(Image: Channel 5)
Gardeners’ World host Carol Klein has suggested one particular flower played a pivotal role in her recovery from breast cancer.
The 80 year old television gardener was diagnosed with the life-threatening illness last year after noticing a change in her nipple and promptly consulting her GP, which led to the heart-breaking news.
During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Carol expressed that she’s now feeling “terrific, really grand” following a double mastectomy operation.
Carol recounted how the thornless, pale yellow rambling rose (Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’) blossomed outside her bedroom window post-surgery.
She shared: “Just outside my bedroom window there’s a rose called banksiae ‘Lutea’. It’s from China,” reports Devon Live.
“It’s yellow, pale, soft yellow. It’s got the loveliest flowers. I could actually see it when I was in bed. It just came out over that period.
Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer last year (Image: BBC/Glenn Dearing/Geffrye Museum)
“It was sort of April into May, when I was recovering.
“Then I read about it, because I was doing some research, I was writing about it, and I found out that in China it’s used medicinally to heal wounds. And I just thought that was so, so apt.”
Carol first graced our screens on Gardeners’ World back in 1989 and resides at Glebe Cottage in North Devon with her husband Neil.
The esteemed gardening expert divulged that she ventured back into her garden as soon as possible after recuperating from her surgery.
She reflected: “Just going out there as soon as I could, and growing seeds, and knowing that the whole thing just goes on. It’s the most sort of reassuring and magical thing.
“I think kids in school ought to be taught about it (cancer) – girls and boys. I was just incensed that when you’re over 70 you don’t get invited back (for routine screening), you have to arrange it yourself.
“But it struck me how many young women particularly are suffering from breast cancer. So I think it’s vital that people get in there quick.”
This sentiment emerges following Carol’s Gardeners’ World colleague Monty Don’s revelation of a poignant decision for the time when he’s “long dead”.
The TV gardener underwent a double mastectomy (Image: Channel 5)
He has shared his intention to leave behind a meaningful legacy for his loved ones to treasure after his passing. Speaking at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, the beloved presenter expressed his joy derived from “growing things”.
Monty disclosed that he has cultivated a woodland for his grandchildren, which will flourish well beyond his years, with the aspiration that they will uphold this tradition for their own grandchildren. Monty continued: “No, you see, He said: “I love the rhythms of the season and of the natural world.
“I like the fact an oak tree takes 400 years to grow. A few years ago, I planted a wood for my grandchildren, and I, you know, will be long dead before that is anything like you know…great!”
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