Latest news with #Lydia
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I'd bought my dream home & was losing weight working out when I got life-changing diagnosis after spotting warning sign
A BRAVE Irish woman has told how her entire life was turned upside down by a shocking health diagnosis just weeks after noticing a concerning change in her body. Lydia Whelan, 33, said she initially ignored the warning sign but visited her doctor after friends warned: "There's something seriously wrong." Advertisement 5 Lydia has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and fifteen rounds of radiation Credit: journalist collect 5 Lydia was treated at St James' Hospital in Dublin And the Irish woman also told how she broke down in tears at home while waiting for her test results as she had a "gut feeling" the outcome was not going to be favourable. Lydia told The Irish Sun: 'It was the worst two weeks of my life, I was just sobbing." In Spring 2024, Lydia and her partner had just agreed on the sale of their dream home when she was referred to St James' Hospital in Dublin over a small indentation on her breast. Advertisement After waiting a gruelling two weeks which she called 'the worst of her life', Lydia was given the life-changing news that she had breast cancer. Treatment would involve six rounds of chemotherapy and fifteen rounds of radiation. But brave Lydia has sworn that she will give all she has to battle the nightmare disease - and aims to spread positivity by documenting the journey on Lydia explained: 'Last May I was living my normal life, I was working nine to five, Monday to Friday, I was doing fitness, I was after losing a bit of weight, looking good, feeling good. 'I felt amazing but there was one day I was getting dressed and I thought, 'What is that on my breast?' Advertisement 'I thought maybe I'd banged it and left it a few days but I noticed it wasn't going down. I went in and said it to my sister, and I showed my friends, and they were like, 'Lydia, there's something seriously wrong'. 'It was like three or four fingers of an indentation in the breast. Breast cancer symptoms you should NEVER ignore, with Dr Philippa Kaye 'It looked like someone had pushed in my skin and it didn't pop back out. 'I went back to the GP the following week and she said I can't say what it is, she said I'm going to refer you to St James'. GUT INSTINCT 'One of the surgeons said you're going to need a biopsy and an ultrasound.' Advertisement Support worker Lydia said her instincts told her that her worst fears were true long before She explained: 'I had to wait two weeks for the results but I just knew, I had a gut feeling. I was at home with my mam and my partner and I just started crying because I knew. 'That was at the end of June last year when I got the mammogram and the biopsy and the ultrasound, and it's not a nice experience, it's very uncomfortable. 'The doctor said regardless of whether the news is good or bad you'll have to wait two weeks to find out. MENTAL HEALTH BATTLE 'It was the worst two weeks of my life, I was just sobbing. Advertisement 'We had just gone sale agreed on a house, I thought I was going to lose my house, my relationship, I was just spiralling.' In the midst of the terrifying wait, Lydia's close friend was getting married, and she tried as best she could to shield the bride-to-be from her awful diagnosis. She told us: 'I was still trying to live my life, the week of the biopsy was my best friend's 'She knew something was there but I never told her. I had to then because you could see it when I was putting on my bridesmaid dress, they were all looking at me in awe and I was telling everyone it's okay when I just knew it was not. NEXT STEP 'It's only when you look at things, I had cancer and did not know. Advertisement 'I was diagnosed on July 30. I was on the edge of my seat, the surgeon said, 'We're really sorry', and I don't even think I could let him finish, I just instantly started sobbing. 'Straight away I was like, 'What's next', very quickly I was straight in. 'I started my treatment on August 27. I was hit with six rounds of chemotherapy. 'I had my surgery in February. I had a full mastectomy on my breast with immediate reconstruction. POSITIVE OUTLOOK 'And I just finished radiation the other day. I had 15 rounds of radiation. Advertisement 'I'm absolutely exhausted, I thought I was going to have to be carried to the end of my chemo, I got very sick instantly. 'I'm now 33 and I'm like, why do I feel like a 100-year-old woman?' 'I had to wait two weeks for the results but I just knew, I had a gut feeling. I was at home with my mam and my partner and I just started crying because I knew." Lydia Whelan Lydia shared how she has managed to stay positive despite the hardship. She said: 'Mentally it's been a lot but I've tried to maintain a really good, positive outlook. NEW PERSPECTIVE 'I just feel like life is so precious and I hope I will stay here for a long time, for all the little things you take for granted. Advertisement 'It definitely gives you a different outlook on life. 'I wasn't able to drink coffee when I was doing chemo, and one of the days I was feeling good I got a coffee and I was just standing there and holding it and smiling, you get a new perspective and look at things differently. 'I used to stress over things in life that I look back at now and I just think it's not that stressful. 'And that whole thing of you don't know who you're walking by on the street, you don't know what they're experiencing. HARD FIGHT 'I've had people say to me, 'You've got the good cancer'. I'm 33 years of age, nothing prepares you to look into the mirror and not recognise yourself. Advertisement 'There's no such thing as a good cancer. 'Its been the hardest fight of my life - you're fighting for your life.' But Lydia revealed that the biggest impact has been on her tight-knit family, who were devastated to hear about her health issue. She said: "It's heartbreaking, I wouldn't visit my 90-year-old granny because I didn't want her to see me like that. WORLD STILL SPINNING 'I have three sisters and a younger brother. Advertisement 'We're a very close family - it broke them. One of the first things I said when I got diagnosed was, 'How do I tell my mother?' 'And from my mam and my sisters they were like, 'I wish I could take this from you', and I'm like, 'No, even on my darkest days I still wouldn't wish it on you.' 'It's been a whirlwind, is the only way I can describe it. 'I'm very mindful that my world is stuck, but all my friends' worlds are still spinning and I want to be a part of that.' SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER THE most important sign of breast cancer is a breast lump, according to the HSE. However, most breast lumps - nine in 10 - are not cancerous. But it's always best to have them checked by a GP. The HSE advises the public contact their GP if you notice: A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts Bloodstained discharge from either of your nipples A lump or swelling in either of your armpits Dimpling on the skin of your breasts A rash on or around your nipple A change in how your nipple looks, such as becoming sunken into your breast They added that breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer. Despite the trials, Lydia said her journey has taught her a lot and she's determined to take important lessons away from it. Advertisement And the 33-year-old wanted to spread positivity online to combat the mirage of negative posts she was seeing on She continued: 'If there's one thing I could change for people it's their perspective on life. 'Even if something small happens, like something happens to the car, I'm like, take a breath, it'll get sorted.' 'I want a stress free life so now I just breathe in and breathe out before I react. MAKING MEMORIES 'It's just not something anyone should be going through. Advertisement 'It's a negative story. I thought I can go and post negatively or I can post positive things. 'About ten years ago I would have laid down and let it take me, now I'm a different person. 'There's a TikTok of me just dancing and laughing and being with my friends, making the best memories. In that moment you feel so good, it's so good for your soul. 'I'm very mindful that my world is stuck, but all my friends' worlds are still spinning and I want to be a part of that.' Lydia Whelan 'I just feel I've so much left in me. And for me it's so nice to look back at TikToks I made when I am having a bad day and I just think, 'Look at all the stuff you have to look forward to if you fight this.' 'I've so much to look forward to. Advertisement 'There's so much negativity and it's easy to get sucked into it. 'If I could talk to anyone about it I would say it's about trying to maintain that positivity, everyone's bad day is their worst day. 'All my friends have kids who call me Liddy, and I never wanted them to see any negativity, and they saw me quickly sick, and they were like, 'Mammy, she's still the same Liddy.'" 5 Lydia and her partner had just agreed a sale on their dream home 5 Lydia was diagnosed with breast cancer last year when she was 32 Advertisement 5 The support worker has documented her journey on social media
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Reality couple SPLIT as star announces divorce and accuses ex of cheating with ‘multiple women' during 3 year marriage
A REALITY couple have revealed their split, as a heartbroken star announced their divorce and accused her ex of cheating with 'multiple women.' The Love Is Blind couple tied the knot nearly three years ago, during season five. Advertisement 3 A reality couple have revealed their split, as a heartbroken star announced their divorce and accused her ex of cheating with 'multiple women" Credit: Netflix 3 Lydia said she asked for a divorce in March after their relationship broke down Credit: Netflix But Lydia Velez Gonzalez, 33, has now shared that she's filed for divorce from Milton Johnson, 24. Lydia shared the news during an appearance on What's The Reality? podcast on June 11. She said: 'It wasn't one thing. It was a layer of situations and things that kept piling up. When I told him, 'Hey, I'll let you know when the divorce papers are ready,' his response was, 'I'm not going to sign the papers unless there's an NDA.' 'I've been quiet for too long. I needed to share my thoughts and my experience because what I've been suffering in silence has been too much for me to be quiet and keep quiet.' Advertisement The reality star explained that their relationship had been 'non-existent' since March. 'At the beginning, everything was beautiful,' Lydia said, adding: 'Everything was perfect. It was a fairy tale, and he showed me the kind of love that I've never received before. He loved me for who I was.' But she went on to allege that their first row came after he refused to stop speaking to his ex-girlfriend. Lydia also alleged that, during their relationship, women had accused Milton of 'heavily flirting,' and 'buying drinks' for other women. Advertisement Most read in TV Old She said he 'flipped it' on her when she confronted him, but claimed she'd been sent 'proof' from women on social media. Love is Blind UK couple reveal they're expecting their first child together a year after meeting on show Lydia also alleges that when she asked for a divorce in March, Milton said to her: 'You're too f****** stupid and an untrustworthy person,' and has 'given her the silent treatment' since then. Despite it all, Lydia says she 'still loves' Milton, and added: 'I cannot keep being in a place where I'm not wanted. I'm trying to put back the pieces that he broke.' She said they'd attempted couples therapy but added that it hadn't worked to help their relationship. Advertisement Another problem occurred with the fact that Milton felt "disrespected" by Lydia posting swimwear photos. Lydia claims that she gave Milton an ultimatum saying she'd stop posting swimwear snaps, if he stopped liking photos of girls in bikinis. 'I stopped and he didn't,' she said, adding: 'What stopped was him engaging with my posts." The Sun's has contacted Milton's representative for comment. Advertisement Lydia went on to say that she thinks their romance lacked 'emotional availability, maturity, support and communication.' But she says Milton will always be a special person in her story, despite their split. Lydia and Milton left Love Is Blind as a married couple, after meeting and getting engaged in the pods. They did have to navigate distance early on in the marriage, with Lydia living in Houston while Milton was based in Long Beach, Calif. Advertisement But they ended up moving in together, and decided to coordinate schedules to make their marriage work, amongst the business of it all. Milton said just last year: 'That's our big thing. We share calendars and plan things that way. 'It is a challenge, but it's literally taught us how to really get organized because if we don't get organized, it just gets too complicated." Things seemed to be going from strength to strength for the couple. Advertisement Lydia planned a getaway to Fredericksburg to celebrate their second anniversary, and she raved about her husband last year, in a sweet Instagram post. She said at the time: 'My love, watching you tirelessly pursue your academic dreams while managing a grueling 55-60 hour work week fills me with immense pride . Your dedication and resilience inspire me daily. 'You always provide a sanctuary in your arms, offering comfort even when your own reserves are low. Read more on the Irish Sun 'Our marriage isn't flawless, but with you, it feels magical. You have an effortless way of showing up for me, piecing me back together when I need it the most.' Advertisement Lydia continued: 'You're more than my partner; you're my soulmate, my steadfast companion in this crazy life. Every wrong turn I took before led me straight to you, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. I appreciate you more than words can express. I love you beyond the beyond!" 3 Lydia planned a getaway to Fredericksburg to celebrate their second anniversary, and she raved about her husband last year, in a sweet Instagram post Credit: Instagram
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Reality couple SPLIT as star announces divorce and accuses ex of cheating with ‘multiple women' during 3 year marriage
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A REALITY couple have revealed their split, as a heartbroken star announced their divorce and accused her ex of cheating with 'multiple women.' The Love Is Blind couple tied the knot nearly three years ago, during season five. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 A reality couple have revealed their split, as a heartbroken star announced their divorce and accused her ex of cheating with 'multiple women" Credit: Netflix 3 Lydia said she asked for a divorce in March after their relationship broke down Credit: Netflix But Lydia Velez Gonzalez, 33, has now shared that she's filed for divorce from Milton Johnson, 24. Lydia shared the news during an appearance on What's The Reality? podcast on June 11. She said: 'It wasn't one thing. It was a layer of situations and things that kept piling up. When I told him, 'Hey, I'll let you know when the divorce papers are ready,' his response was, 'I'm not going to sign the papers unless there's an NDA.' 'I've been quiet for too long. I needed to share my thoughts and my experience because what I've been suffering in silence has been too much for me to be quiet and keep quiet.' The reality star explained that their relationship had been 'non-existent' since March. 'At the beginning, everything was beautiful,' Lydia said, adding: 'Everything was perfect. It was a fairy tale, and he showed me the kind of love that I've never received before. He loved me for who I was.' But she went on to allege that their first row came after he refused to stop speaking to his ex-girlfriend. Lydia also alleged that, during their relationship, women had accused Milton of 'heavily flirting,' and 'buying drinks' for other women. She said he 'flipped it' on her when she confronted him, but claimed she'd been sent 'proof' from women on social media. Love is Blind UK couple reveal they're expecting their first child together a year after meeting on show Lydia also alleges that when she asked for a divorce in March, Milton said to her: 'You're too f****** stupid and an untrustworthy person,' and has 'given her the silent treatment' since then. Despite it all, Lydia says she 'still loves' Milton, and added: 'I cannot keep being in a place where I'm not wanted. I'm trying to put back the pieces that he broke.' She said they'd attempted couples therapy but added that it hadn't worked to help their relationship. Another problem occurred with the fact that Milton felt "disrespected" by Lydia posting swimwear photos. Lydia claims that she gave Milton an ultimatum saying she'd stop posting swimwear snaps, if he stopped liking photos of girls in bikinis. 'I stopped and he didn't,' she said, adding: 'What stopped was him engaging with my posts." The Sun's has contacted Milton's representative for comment. Lydia went on to say that she thinks their romance lacked 'emotional availability, maturity, support and communication.' But she says Milton will always be a special person in her story, despite their split. Lydia and Milton left Love Is Blind as a married couple, after meeting and getting engaged in the pods. They did have to navigate distance early on in the marriage, with Lydia living in Houston while Milton was based in Long Beach, Calif. But they ended up moving in together, and decided to coordinate schedules to make their marriage work, amongst the business of it all. Milton said just last year: 'That's our big thing. We share calendars and plan things that way. 'It is a challenge, but it's literally taught us how to really get organized because if we don't get organized, it just gets too complicated." Things seemed to be going from strength to strength for the couple. Lydia planned a getaway to Fredericksburg to celebrate their second anniversary, and she raved about her husband last year, in a sweet Instagram post. She said at the time: 'My love, watching you tirelessly pursue your academic dreams while managing a grueling 55-60 hour work week fills me with immense pride. Your dedication and resilience inspire me daily. 'You always provide a sanctuary in your arms, offering comfort even when your own reserves are low. 'Our marriage isn't flawless, but with you, it feels magical. You have an effortless way of showing up for me, piecing me back together when I need it the most.' Lydia continued: 'You're more than my partner; you're my soulmate, my steadfast companion in this crazy life. Every wrong turn I took before led me straight to you, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. I appreciate you more than words can express. I love you beyond the beyond!"
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Dog rips into woman's face as she becomes 'human blanket' to shield niece, 4
Abbie Nudd and her niece Lydia were attacked by the American Bulldog at her neighbour's home in Harwich, Essex, which put them both in hospital after the dog's mood suddenly turned A hero aunt was left with gruesome injuries after she acted as a "human blanket" to save her young niece from a vicious dog. Abbie Nudd had taken four-year-old Lydia on what was meant to be a fun trip to meet a dog on one Tuesday morning when both she and her niece were pounced upon by the pooch. Abbie, 32, who looks after Lydia every Tuesday, said she had asked to come and see the American Bulldog her neighbours were caring for on June 3. But the visit became a bloodbath as both she and her niece were attacked by the dog when its mood switched in an instant. Speaking to the Gazette Standard, the aunt, of Willow Way, Dovercourt, in Harwich, Essex, said that, while the two were sat in the garden stroking the dog, its mood suddenly changed. Sensing the dog was becoming nervous, Abbie told her niece to step away, but she was grabbed on the arm before she got a chance to move from its reach. She said the dog 'had a hold of her right arm' in an instant, and the hero aunt sprang to action and forcefully removed the youngster's arm from its grip. She added that she made herself into "a human blanket" and leapt on Lydia to protect the four-year-old from the dog, which appeared to have become fixated on her. She said: "Somehow, I managed to prise the dog's mouth open and get her arm out of the dog's mouth. I then leap on Lydia, so she is under me, I was basically like a human blanket over her. At first the dog wasn't even biting me; it was just trying to move me out the way to get to her. 'Luckily, my neighbour came out and was telling it no and hitting it with a washing line pole. At one point, I just decided to give up, I didn't want it to then flip on Lydia again, I gave it my arm.' While a friend was eventually able to get her to safety, the animal continued to attack, leaving Abbie with a bite to her face, both arms and torso. The dog had clamped its jaw on her arm so hard that it broke her wrist, and she says she had to do "an elbow drop a few times" to get it off her. The dog was eventually calmed down and Abbie and her niece were taken to Colchester Hospital, where their wounds were treated. Lydia was discharged back into her parents' care on Wednesday, June 4, while Abbie's wounds and fracture were monitored until she was discharged on Sunday. A spokesman for Essex Police said a woman was arrested following the incident after emergency services attended the scene in Harwich at around 4.30pm on June 3. They said: "A woman, aged in her 30s, from Harwich, was arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control. 'She has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. The dog was seized and has been taken to secure kennels. Our investigation will now progress appropriately, and we would ask people not to speculate around the nature of the incident.'
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Hero aunt, 32, is left with gaping wounds after using herself as a 'human blanket' to save her four-year-old niece's life when dog launched at them
A brave aunt has been left with broken bones and gaping wounds after using herself as a 'human blanket' to protect her niece from a vicious dog attack. Abbie Nudd, 32, of Willow Way, Dovercourt, had taken Lydia, four, to meet an American Bulldog that her neighbours were looking after on Tuesday, June 2. But after the initial pleasantries where the dog had been sitting nicely and allowing Ms Nudd and Lydia to stroke it, the canine's mood quickly changed and its demeanor shifted. Sensing the danger, Ms Nudd asked Lydia to step back from the animal - but it had already locked the the four-year-old's right arm in its mouth. 'Somehow, I managed to prise the dog's mouth open and get her arm out of the dog's mouth', Ms Nudd told Echo News. She then 'leapt' on top of Lydia to protect her while the neighbours tried in vain to control the situation by prodding the dog with a washing pole. Such attempts proved futile, and Ms Nudd said she eventually 'decided to give up' and allowed the dog to bite her so that it would not go for her niece again. It was an act of bravery that left her with bite marks to the face, both arms and torso before it chewed through her wrist bone - breaking it in the process. The dog had been sitting nicely and allowing Ms Nudd (above) and Lydia to stroke it, but the canine's mood quickly changed and its demeanor shifted - the attack left Ms Nudd with bite marks to the face, both arms and torso before it chewed through her wrist bone 'I felt like I was being ragged around the garden, I did an elbow drop a few times on the dog to try and get it off me', she added. When police and medics arrived at the scene, Ms Nudd said the dog was still behaving aggressively and was calmed down by a man known to it before being taken away in a police car. Ms Nudd and Lydia were taken to Colchester Hospital before being transferred to Broomfield Hospital, where they were given general anaesthetic and had their wounds treated. Lydia was discharged the following day and is back with her parents, while Ms Nudd remained in hospital until yesterday so that her fracture and wounds could be monitored. A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'A woman was arrested as part of our response to an incident involving a dog in Harwich in which a young child and a woman sustained injuries. 'We were alerted to the incident, in Willow Way, at 4.30pm on Tuesday June 3. 'All emergency services attended the scene and found a woman and a young child who had sustained serious injuries which required hospital treatment. 'A woman, aged in her 30s, from Harwich, was arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control. 'She has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. The dog was seized and has been taken to secure kennels. 'Our investigation will now progress appropriately, and we would ask people not to speculate around the nature of the incident.'
