I lost 3 and a half stone without going on a diet

Elaine Godley, 53, from Malmesbury considers herself ‘The Luckiest Woman!’ She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer via a routine mammogram at the local mobile scanning unit in March 2009.

Following further investigation, biopsies and a lumpectomy, the surgeon found that her condition was so far reaching that the only solution open to Ms Godley was radical surgery.  In July 2009 a mastectomy was performed at the John Radcliffe West Wing specialist surgery unit in Oxford.  A radical TRAMFLAP procedure was carried out.  This is where tissue, muscle and skin from the abdomen are removed and used to reconstruct a new breast. Further surgery to align her shape has recently been undertaken and one more final procedure is awaited later this year.

‘The shock of my diagnosis and major surgery has been a blessing in disguise’ says Ms Godley. ‘I had to get my BMI (body mass index) down to 30 to give myself a better chance of surviving the 8 hour procedure.  It is now under 25.  I have a super flat tummy and have lost three and a half stone in weight.  I was bursting out of a size 16 and am now down to a trim size 12 and feeling fabulous’.

‘My natural optimistic nature and zest for life has resulted in invitations for me to be a guest speaker at several events – the latest and most exciting for me is speaking about my personal experience of using the Healthy Eating Guidelines at The Penny Brohn Cancer Centre in Bristol.   I am so privileged have a ten minute slot on the same stage as two world renowned cancer  experts and authors Professor Dean Ornish from California and Professor Robert Thomas of Cranfield and Cambridge Universities.’

Ms Godley is writing a book about her experience and has created www.tramflap.co.uk to help other patients and their families to deal with the practical issues following diagnosis and treatment. She specialises in Behavioural Profiling and has set up www.purpleslipper.co.uk to help women to Be The Best They Can.

   Elaine Godley – The Luckiest Woman!

Elaine was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Wiltshire

She has articles published about her in The Western Daily Press and The Malmesbury Gazette and Herald newspaper.

Elaine co-presents  the Health Matters programme on Swindon105.5FM community radio - www.swindon1055.com