How Fergie's breast cancer became "an enormous friend"
Sarah Ferguson has shared how she has turned her devastating diagnosis of breast cancer into a tool for resilience and strength.
The Duchess of York, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram in June, has described her illness as an "enormous friend" she uses as a "shield of protection".
After publicly sharing the news of her diagnosis, Fergie said she has received an "outpouring of kindness" from members of the public, who have written her letters of well wishes.
While recovering from her single mastectomy, the Duchess has been personally replying to the letters while watching the tennis and taking it easy.
Speaking on her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, which she hosts with her close friend Sarah Thomson, she said the personal letters have been very healing for her to read.
"It's been great, staring this journey back to full health, sitting watching Wimbledon, great excuse, I also love to respond in hand-written letters to anyone that has been kind," the Duchess said.
"I've written about 500 this week."
Doctors first found the cancer after a routine mammogram earlier this year, which the Duchess almost put off.
She was soon admitted to the King Edward VII's Hospital in London for a single mastectomy and is now recovering at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Addressing the impact the breast cancer had had on her, she said, "People are asking me about this breast cancer".
"I really feel this is really exciting, about having this enormous friend with me, who is now my friend, to such a degree I feel like a shield, like I've got a shield of protection, because it feels like it's definitely there to say we got this."
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