Loose Women’s Andrea McLean opens up for the first time since having a hysterectomy
The 47-year-old struggled to come to terms with the fact she couldn't have children with boyfriend Nick Feeney
BRAVE Andrea McLean has spoken for the first time since having a hysterectomy.
The Loose Women presenter took time off from the show last month to undergo the procedure and has now opened up about how the decision has impacted her relationship with boyfriend Nick Feeney.
She said: "I’m really, really happy in a relationship with a lovely man so it was obviously a big decision.
“Nick and I have children of our own and we hadn’t talked about having children together before.
“I knew I would be an older mum but that we could still maybe have children if we wanted to. But I was also in constant pain and couldn’t carry on any longer.
“Nick was brilliant, he just said: ‘If you’re OK, I’m OK, that’s all that counts’.
"We made the decision, had a big hug and counted our blessings.”
However the magnitude of her decision hit the 47-year-old a few days ago, and led to a conversation between the couple about what their hypothetical child could have been like.
She explained to : “I looked over at Nick and asked: ‘If we had a child what do you think it would look like?’
“I’ve got brown eyes, as do my children, and Nick has blue eyes. I asked if he thought we would have had a blue-eyed child.
"It was the first time I’d really thought about it and Nick looked as if to say: ‘Where the hell has that come from?’ I think it was because I knew it would never happen now.
“We had a little moment where Nick came over and gave me a hug and said: ‘I do, I think we would have had a blue-eyed baby’.
"I said: ‘Do you think you would have had a little boy?’ He got a little lump in his throat because he doesn’t have a son, he has two daughters.”
Andrea was forced to undergo the surgery after battling with endometriosis and the perimenopause for years.
And while the star couldn't handle the crippling pain she would often find herself in any longer, she did worry if the life-changing op would shatter her happy life.
She said: "It was a huge decision and although it was the best thing to do I was scared about it.
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“I lay in bed worrying about falling of a cliff emotionally, becoming very down and depressed with feelings of loss.
"I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, I’m really settled and content, I’ve got a lovely relationship, our kids are in a really good place and I thought what if I spoil all of this?
"What if I become a hormonal wreck that everyone else has to pick up?”
Andrea has struggled with endometriosis since she was in her 20s and five years battling perimenopause - the transitional stage before menopause with side-effects including hot flushes and heart palpitations.
Andrea explained: "I was doubled up on the sofa. I was trying hot water bottles, paracetamol, Nurofen, anything I could get over the counter, but it didn’t work.
“I had numerous scans. They found out one of my kidneys was enlarged and twisted and veins from my kidney down to my bladder had become varicose.
“I was sitting in a corner constantly holding my stomach before going on air.
"I’d do my job with a big smile then come off going: ‘Oh my God, I feel absolutely rotten’.
"The pain kept getting worse and this Easter I had a period lasting for weeks. That was the point where I decided I can’t do this any more.";
While her surgery went well, Andrea has taken a few more weeks off from Loose Women than she initially intended.
She continued: "I was meant to go back to Loose Women after a month but after a few weeks I was nowhere near ready.
"The production team and ITV were so supportive and told me to come back when fully ready.
“I want to be firing on all cylinders and ready for action when I’m back!
"I’m at such a brilliant time in my life, I’ve hopefully got rid of endometriosis and I’m in a brilliant relationship.
“Next year is my 10th at Loose Women and 20th at ITV. I’ve so much to look forward to. I can’t wait to get started.”