Coronation Street star Victoria Ekanoye has opened up about her mastectomy and says she cried after having it done - but now she feels 'lucky'.
The actress - who played Angie Appleton on the ITV soap between 2018 and 2019 - was diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year.
Victoria, 40, previously told how she found a lump in her breast while feeding her son Theo, just months after giving birth to him.
In December, Victoria underwent her surgery, and she has now discussed what it was like post-op.
She told OK! Magazine : "When I looked in the mirror for the first time, it was difficult, but I just lifted my chin and thought, 'This the best-case scenario'. I'm very grateful to my breasts, the girls did good! They fed my baby boy and I had 39 years with them!"
Victoria continued: "Right from the beginning, when I suspected that I had cancer, I made the decision to have the double mastectomy. I was crying throughout the mammogram, because I just knew and I didn't want to allow this to be a massive cloud over our heads for the rest of our lives, especially when we have Theo.
"So ultimately, I feel lucky…it might sound strange to say that, but I know the outcome could have been very different."
Victoria said her son gave her the fight she needed to recover from surgery, as she was desperate to give him a cuddle.
It was his first birthday in January, just weeks after she had the operation.
She added: "After the surgery you're not allowed to start lifting anything for four to six weeks and I had drains attached to me for one week and dressing for two. It was quite debilitating at the beginning."
Victoria described not being able to pick up her son at Christmas as "heartbreaking".
"You try to push through with a smile but that was one of the moments where reality really hit home," she said.
Thankfully, Victoria has had a very loving and supportive partner throughout the journey.
She concluded: "He's been such a rock for the family, kept our home going while I was in the UK healing and moved mountains so that I could slowly build my strength to get back to work and back to being me."
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