These are moving words that Lisa Faulkner (54) is sharing with her followers: Just a few days after the British TV chef publicly announced her diagnosis, she reached out to her fans on Friday via Instagram.
"Thank you so much for your support and kind messages. I promise to read every single word. So many of you are going through this right now or know someone who is", Faulkner wrote in the statement shared in her story. And continued: "Your love and kindness have touched me deeply, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Surgery Already Completed
The 54-year-old had shared her diagnosis with her followers just a few days ago. She had been very quiet lately, she explained in a video message, the reason being surgery after early-stage illness was detected. "I had surgery two weeks ago, it was quite a major procedure, but everything is fine, I have my results and they removed everything." Radiation therapy is still scheduled for a few weeks from now, according to Faulkner. Otherwise, she is doing well: "I'm feeling much better and I'm so grateful that I went for the mammogram."
Appeal to Other Women
The chef used her own story as an opportunity to encourage other women to get screened. She wanted to say only that one shouldn't put it off but should go, because without the mammogram the tumor wouldn't have been detected. At the same time, she thanked the British health service NHS for making early treatment possible. Particularly touching was the message from her daughter Billie. The 20-year-old, whom Faulkner adopted in 2008 together with her ex-husband Chris Coghill, wrote to her mother: "I love you so much, Mom. You are my absolute inspiration".
Second Career in the Kitchen
Faulkner, who is married to former "MasterChef" star John Torode, first became known as an actress. In 2010, she won "Celebrity MasterChef" and subsequently built a second career around cooking. She has written several successful cookbooks and hosts the ITV show "John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen" together with her husband.
