Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein has credited one flower with being crucial in her recovering from breast cancer.
The TV gardener, 80, was diagnosed with the deadly disease last year. She noticed her nipple had changed shape and went to visit her GP, before she received the devastating diagnosis.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Carol said she’s now feeling “terrific, really grand” after going under the knife for a double mastectomy.
READ MORE: Gardeners warned to pull up 8 plants that are actually weeds – all spread vigorously
READ MORE: Alan Titchmarsh says ‘it’s probably best that I’ve stopped’ as he shares heath fears
Carol explained how the thornless, pale yellow rambling rose (Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’) was in flower following her surgery.
She said: “Just outside my bedroom window there’s a rose called banksiae ‘Lutea’. It’s from China.
The gardening presenter was diagnosed with breast cancer last year -Credit:Channel 5
“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.
“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 made her Gardeners’ World debut all the way back in 1989. She and her husband Neil live in Glebe Cottage, North Devon.
The gardener presenter revealed she returned to her garden as soon as she could after convalescing from surgery.
She said: “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.”
Carol underwent a double mastectomy -Credit:BBC/Glenn Dearing/Geffrye Museum
It comes after Carol’s Gardeners’ World colleague Monty Don shared a touching decision for when he’s “long dead”.
He told how he’s leaving a heartfelt legacy for his family to cherish after he’s gone. Speaking to BBC Gardeners’ World Live, the iconic presenter discussed his passion for “growing things” which brings him joy.
Monty to disclose that he has planted a woodland for his grandchildren, which will mature long after his time, with the hope that they will continue this tradition for their own grandchildren.Monty explained: “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!”
Comments are closed.