Janey Godley has opened up on feelings of guilt over not working due to undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Scots comic, who went viral over lockdown with her Nicola Sturgeon mock voiceovers, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November last year following symptoms of stomach and back pain, constant urination, loss of appetite and bloating.
Janey has since undergone a hysterectomy in a bid to remove the tumour but was told it had spread and needed further treatment.
Janey, who has almost finished chemotherapy, has now told fans she has felt odd doing nothing over the last five months.
Taking to Twitter, the 61-year-old said: "One of the things I have to come to realise about recovering and dealing with a life threatening condition like cancer is how I feel so guilty about “doing nothing” and not working as though my recovery is being “wasting time”
"I come from a generation who got up early and never slept during the day and due to childhood poverty and my working class DNA I think a lot of mental health issues are stemming from the fact I’m not working through chemo and sleeping too much and not being productive, which is madness I agree, but I think this is why personally I am having a hard time just now.
"I have worked since I was 16 and now for the first time in my life, I don’t have the psychical energy to do much just now.
"Going out for a wee walk and a coffee is exhausting."
Janey added: "I have to stop seeing fatigue/ illness as a failure and embrace this time, as time to recover and receive love and accept patience and be kind to me."
Followers on her social media agreed she needed to give herself a break with one explaining: "It is work, though. Your body is working to get back to health.
"It’s just that you can’t see it and it’s for yourself. It’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done."
Another said: "We sleep to let our bodies recover. There’s no shame in this. It’s as you say so different to what we’re used to. I’ve never napped but after 37 radiotherapies and 7 chemotherapies I learned I had to so I could get stronger, so I could get better.
"Keep going. You’re doing great"
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