Shop It:

Sales of these $22 leggings have spiked by 550,000%

Here's why Amazon shoppers can't get enough of this affordable style.

NHS worker's dramatic weight loss caused by ‘ticking time bomb’ condition: 'I had no idea how close I was to dying'

Marie Claire Dorking
·4 min read
Goodey says people believed she looked too well to have anything seriously wrong with her. (PA Real Life)
Goodey says people believed she looked too well to have anything seriously wrong with her. (PA Real Life)

A woman whose friends thought her weight loss was due to an eating disorder has revealed she is lucky to be alive after being diagnosed with a "ticking time bomb" condition.

Bethan Goodey, 27, an NHS worker from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, had dropped from a dress size 10 to a four before doctors revealed she had a combination of cancer and a life-threatening heart condition.

The assistant practitioner regularly worked 12-hour shifts at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, lifting patients and heavy equipment, and had seen her weight fall to just 7st 5lb (47kg).

Goodey says she was unaware at the time that she was putting a huge strain on her heart and could have gone into cardiac arrest at any moment.

Her diagnosis, of a heart condition and stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, came in September 2019 after a routine chest X-ray for a persistent cough.

Read more: Boy's lung collapsed after he inhaled a popcorn kernel leading to a life-saving discovery

Doctors identified a 4in (10cm) cancerous tumour in her chest that was causing fluid to build up dangerously around her heart.

Her condition was so severe that she was told not to move due to the risk of her heart failing, and was wheeled to the hospital’s cardiac unit for monitoring ahead of surgery.

(PA Real Life)
Goodey's friends were concerned she was suffering from an eating disorder as she lost so much weight. (PA Real Life)

As well as undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy over seven months at West Suffolk Hospital, Goodey also had heart surgery at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge before being given the all-clear in March 2020.

“I’m very lucky to be alive as I was walking around with a ticking time bomb inside me," says Goodey, who is now shielding.

“My heart could have stopped at work or at home or driving my car.

“It’s so scary when I think how close I was to dying and I had no idea.

“If my heart had not killed me, the cancer or COVID would have got me because I had no immune system and I was putting an immense strain on my body.”

Watch: Energy drinks could contribute to heart conditions

Goodey says it took five years for a diagnosis because no one believed how ill she was because of her age.

“It felt like I was not being listened to because I looked so well," she says.

“After years of unexplained weight loss, going back and forth to the GP, each time being reassured that I would be ‘more unwell if it was anything serious’ or that my bloods would be ‘more deranged’ if it was cancer, I was finally diagnosed with the cancer.

“But, by then, it had spread and my heart was compromised because of the fluid build-up which prevented it from functioning normally.

“I was strapped to a heart monitor for over a month and I couldn’t leave my bed or do anything because any activity could have killed me.”

(PA Real Life)
Goodey underwent chemotherapy and heart surgery following her diagnosis. (PA Real Life)

After having 500ml of fluid drained from her heart, Goodey was later diagnosed with cancer in her lymph nodes, back, shoulder and chest.

She says she has been told she may not be able to have children and is now having counselling to come to terms with her near-death experience.

“It has taken me ages to trust my body again,” she says.

“It’s so scary knowing how close I came to dying.”

Read more: Mum diagnosed with incurable breast cancer days after giving birth to twins

Goodey now wants to encourage people to sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Walk All Over Cancer campaign, to get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps every day in March to support the charity’s life-saving mission.

To sign up and receive a free fundraising pack, see https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/find-an-event/walk-all-over-cancer

Additional reporting PA Real Life.

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Watch: Just one alcoholic drink a day 'increases risk of atrial fibrillation'

Latest Stories

  • Will Harry and Meghan reveal 'shocking' royal secrets? What to expect from their Oprah interview

    Fans and critics anticipate a big Sunday for royals on TV: Harry and Meghan will chat with Oprah in the U.S., while the queen is televised in the U.K.

  • Both of Mariah Carey's Siblings Are Suing Her

    It's over her autobiography, The Meaning Of Mariah Carey.

  • Diary of a Film by Niven Govinden review – how to reconcile life and art?

    Diary of a Film by Niven Govinden review – how to reconcile life and art?A director is enthralled by his two lead actors in a beguiling exploration of artistic obsession Maestro is as unsettled and subdued as the director/protagonist of Fellini’s 8 ½. Marcello Mastroianni in the 1963 film. Photograph: Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy

  • 100 Excellent Baby Boy Names that Start With "E"

    Is he more of an "Ethan" or an "Ezra"?

  • Meghan Markle Wears Princess Diana's Bracelet in Her Oprah Interview

    The Duchess of Sussex chose an extra-special piece from Diana's collection for the occasion.

  • Edie Falco Cast as Hillary Clinton in 'Impeachment: American Crime Story'

    Plus, everything else we know about the latest installment in the anthology series.

  • Lori Loughlin Was Spotted for the First Time Since Leaving Prison

    Here’s what she has been doing since she was released.

  • This Is the One Water Bottle That Finally Cured My Dehydration Headaches

    Trust me, it’s even better than the gallon jug that's been going viral lately.

  • Travis Barker Explained the Reason He and Kourtney Kardashian Work So Well Together

    He dished to Drew Barrymore.

  • Sarah Jessica Parker Just Wore the Super Breathable Triple-Layer Mask Everyone Is Obsessed With

    Gigi Hadid was just spotted in it too.

  • Hilary Duff just wore the coziest pair of eco-friendly sneakers — and we're obsessed

    These limited edition sneakers won't last long.

  • Meghan Markle's Earrings "Scandal" Is Nothing Compared to These Headline-Making Royal Jewelry Moments

    Who can forget the impact of Princess Diana's "revenge necklace"?

  • This family-size air fryer is a must-have for preparing healthier meals — and it's on sale for just $102

    "It's my new favourite kitchen appliance."

  • How to Build a Simple Raised Bed

    No more bending over while you weed. From Good Housekeeping

  • The Unexpected Way Your Brain May be Causing You to Overeat, Says Research

    In the U.S., some 42.4% of adults have obesity, meaning they have a BMI of 30 or higher. Carrying excess weight is a risk factor for various chronic diseases and even some types of cancer. While there are many causes of obesity, none of which happen overnight, routinely overeating is certainly at the forefront.Registered dietitians and other health experts may address overeating through behavioral changes such as eating smaller portion sizes to even eating more slowly and mindfully. Now, new research is saying that the reason you're overeating may not have to do with your habits at all. In fact, your brain may be to blame. (Related: The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now).A team of scientists led by the University of Florida in Gainesville recently discovered that a region of the brain known as the infralimbic cortex (IL) could explain why Americans have tendencies to overeat. More specifically, it plays a role in the initial learning of food-seeking and food self-administration behaviors, Medical News Today reports.Here's the science behind it: some environmental cues that remind us of treats can cause us to overeat. For instance, why do we always seemingly have room for that bowl of ice cream or handful of cookies after a very filling dinner? By just looking at a dessert, you could be persuaded into indulging even though minutes ago you had just exclaimed that you were stuffed.Well, the researchers experimented with rats and found that they could reduce their overeating by switching off the activity in the rodents' IL—which is a part of the medial prefrontal cortex, located near the front of the brain. This is important because the prefrontal cortex of the brain plays a key role in the initial stages of learning to seek food. What they discovered in the experiment? By blocking the activity of specific neurons in the group of mice (that had just learned that they would get a treat by pressing down a lever), the rodents became less likely to press the lever to receive food.Although this wasn't the point of the research—which appears in the journal eNeuro—it may act as a stepping stone for scientists to develop clinical applications to reduce overeating in humans. But, more research is needed.Now, be sure to check out 3 Surprising Warning Signs You're Eating Too Much.

  • Avocado Lovers Can't Skip Over These Delicious Lunch Ideas

    Stuffed avocados are out 👏 of 👏 this 👏 world! 😍From Good Housekeeping

  • The Byredo Mixed Emotions Perfume Is Emblematic of 2021

    Basically, therapy in a bottle.

  • This Popular Texas Fast-Food Chain Will Still Make You Wear a Mask

    Texas has announced a loosening of its statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions for businesses as of March 10, but not all restaurants agree with the change. The beloved San Antonio-based chain Whataburger announced it will continue to ask customers to wear face masks at its locations. For employees, the masks will remain mandatory.Moreover, the burger-slinger isn't rushing to reopen its dining rooms to full capacity. Instead of the newly allowed full occupancy, the chain will keep dine-in operations at 50% capacity. (Related: McDonald's Is Making These 8 Major Upgrades.)"The health and safety of our customers and employees has always been our top priority. We're aware there will no longer be a statewide mask mandate or capacity limit in Texas as of March 10, however, Whataburger will not be making any changes to our current safety protocols or social distancing practices," the chain said in a statement.Whataburger isn't the only business that plans on keeping its pandemic-era restrictions intact a while longer. According to CNN Business, several grocery chains, pharmacies, and retailers, including Target, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Best Buy, Macy's, and JCPenney, say they will continue to require mask-wearing at their stores and facilities by both employees and customers.Besides Texas, Mississippi is similarly lifting the two restrictions, and some experts worry the moves are premature."I am extremely concerned about the citizens in Texas and Mississippi given Governor Abbott and Governor Reeves' abrupt withdrawal of mask mandates and reopening venues at full capacity," Dr. Lisa Maragakis, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins Health System, told Fox News.For more, check out which grocery chains in Texas are abandoning their mask mandates. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest restaurant news delivered straight to your inbox.

  • This 'very effective' pet brush makes short work of tangled fur — and it's only $15

    Say goodbye to struggling with regular brushes and combs for good.

  • Got a Tiny Yard? You Can Still Grow These Totally Gorgeous Trees

    Tiny backyards are no match for these showstoppers.From Good Housekeeping