Losing weight saved my life

Feb 4 2008 By Alison Dayani

LOSING weight has saved a mother-of two's life.

Shedding four stone enabled 37-year-old Eleanor Rushbury to spot a strange lump, which was diagnosed as a tumour in her ovaries.

Eleanor, a teacher at Abbey Junior School, Bearwood, was rushed in for emergency surgery within days of the discovery and is now recovering at her home, in Timberdine Close, Halesowen.

Doctors said the growth could have become something much more dangerous if it had not been spotted as soon as it was. "If I hadn't slimmed down, I probably wouldn't have found the lump and the tumour would have gone undetected", said Eleanor. "I believe losing weight saved my life." Eleanor, who is 5ft 8ins, slimmed down from 15st 7lbs to 11st 7lbs, halving her dress size from a size 20 to tiny size 10.

She started slimming a year ago, taking up running along with eating healthier food with support from teacher husband Ian and sons Dylan, six, and Rowan, three.

"A year ago, I saw my awful Christmas photos and decided to do something about my weight," said the mum-of-two.

"I didn't even want to walk my children to school as I would be out of breath, but now I walk them there and run back.

"Losing weight meant I got my figure back and it made the lump more noticeable through my skin. I'll never forget the consultant telling me how lucky I was and that if it had been left to get bigger, the tumour would have turned cancerous.

"Something like this makes you take stock of your life and realise what is important and not to neglect yourself."

Weightwatchers leader Paula Southwick said Eleanor was so dedicated, she even went to a slimming class in Norfolk when she was on holiday.

"Eleanor is a real inspiration and it is amazing to think that exercising helped her find the tumour," said Paula. "It just shows how good for you slimming is."