Thursday, 2 October 2008

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Jade Goody: There's more hell to come

How is Jade really coping as she faces a year of cancer treatment? Her best friend Danielle reveals all

Jade Goody puts on a brave face

Jade Goody left London’s Royal Marsden hospital last Friday afternoon after two weeks recovering from her gruelling 8-hour operation and was met by best friend Danielle Brownlee, mum Jackiey and her two boys.

While she’s happy to be home, Jade's road to recovery will be a long one.

Although she’s had a hysterectomy, the disease has spread beyond her cervix and she now faces a year-long ordeal of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

With the man she calls her ‘rock’, ex-boyfriend Jack Tweed, in jail for 18 months, terrified Jade, 27, has turned to Danielle, 28, for support and to confide her innermost fears.

‘I’ve been through hell, but I’ve got a long road to go down yet,’ Jade has said. ‘I have up days and down days. I get tired so quickly and my stomach hurts all day. I’m so used to doing things for myself, it’s going to be hard.’

Jade knows her road ahead will be tough, but she’s been touched by the kindness shown by the public and friends and neighbours alike.

‘It means so much to her that she’s had such amazing support,’ Danielle tells Now. ‘The little room she was in was full of cards, presents and teddies, which is a real boost.’

But at times, Danielle says her friend can’t hide her true feelings. She bursts into tears when she sees baby girls – it’s sinking in that she’ll now never have one of her own.

‘I took her to the hospital and went back the next morning to see her go into intensive care,’ says Danielle. ‘It was so sad, one of the saddest things I’ve ever experienced. For the first time, I saw Jade as a vulnerable little girl. She sobbed on her way to the operating theatre.

‘She’d love to take some time out to recover in private, but it’s not an option,’ says Danielle. She’s got a mortgage and the boys’ school fees to pay for. A lot of people have insurance or a husband who’ll take on another job to look after them, but Jade’s a single mum.’

PICTURE SPECIAL: Jade Goody - an extraordinary life>>