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Wednesday, 29 November 2006

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Nicola Wheeler: I was told I'd never have kids

Emmerdale star survived tumour scare

Healthy and radiant today, it’s hard to believe that not long ago Nicola Wheeler was suffering from a range of bewildering and frightening health symptoms.

‘My weight had dropped and I started feeling dizzy when I got up,’ the 32-year-old actress explains. ‘My periods stopped and I started to produce breast milk!’

Bizarre symptoms led to a shock diagnosis

Nicola, who shot to fame playing Emmerdale siren Nicola Blackstock, initially thought she might be pregnant, but the reality was much more serious. ‘I had to have all sorts of tests and scans,’ she says, ‘then they discovered a tumour on my pituitary gland.’

Usually the size of a pea, the pituitary gland controls many of the other hormonal glands in the body. For instance, it triggers the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone, as well as stimulating the breasts to make milk, which explained Nicola’s extremely odd symptoms.

Doctors said I might never be a mum

While the tumour was benign, meaning it wouldn’t spread, it was still very serious and there was yet more bad news to come. ‘Thankfully it was treatable, but the doctors said I’d probably have to take drugs for the rest of my life,’ says Nicola. ‘And because of the drugs, I was told it meant I might never have children.’

It was devastating news for the actress, who lives in Leeds and who had always dreamed of becoming a mum one day. ‘I was pretty upset,’ she admits, ‘and it gave me a lot to think about.’

I was back to normal before too long

But there was nothing for it but to go ahead with the treatment and see what happened. Fortunately, Nicola was given the all-clear two years later and told that it would be possible for her to have children after all.

‘The tumour has shrunk now and it doesn’t cause me any problems,’ she says. ‘But best of all is the fact that my periods are normal, so if I wanted a baby, I could have one.’

Currently single, Nicola admits she’d like to fall in love and hopes to have a family one day. But for the moment the only man in her life is her dog, Jasper, who rules the roost when it comes to new men in her life. ‘He’s very much an alpha male,’ she laughs, ‘and anyone who comes in the door has to be acceptable to him.’

Walking the dog keeps me healthy

Nowadays Nicola leads a very healthy lifestyle. ‘Since starting the treatment, I’ve kept an eye on my fitness and weight,’ she says. ‘I also walk Jasper for an hour and a half every day and he comes running with me, too. Regular exercise means I can eat what I like, although I avoid too much fat and tend not to eat meat.’

And while Nicola longs for a family one day, she’s not standing still waiting. Since taking a break from the ITV soap, she has quite a few ideas. ‘I want to try all sorts of things – presenting a safari show, getting into movies and even setting up a dogs’ home,’ she says.

Pituitary gland explained

What is it?
Known as the master gland, it’s situated under the brain, behind the bridge of the nose. It has two parts, each with a different function.

Why is it important?
One of the major endocrinal glands, it releases hormones that regulate the activity of other organs and tissues in the body, including the kidneys, ovaries and thyroid gland.

Symptoms of pituitary disorders
There are a range of different disorders associated with this gland, but symptoms in women can include weight gain, reduced fertility and sex drive, irregular periods, hirsutism (excessive hair growth) and behavioural changes.

Emily Watkins