Andrea McLean, a former personality on the popular show Loose Women, recently provided an update on her health following a challenging period battling various serious illnesses. At 56 years old, Andrea has faced Covid, severe pneumonia, kidney failure, and sepsis since being diagnosed with medium vessel vasculitis in 2016.
The impact of long Covid not only took a physical toll on Andrea but also posed financial challenges as she was managing her own business at the time. Expressing her current feelings, Andrea expressed her gratitude for finally regaining her health as she launches her new book, Shameless.
In an interview with Bella Magazine, Andrea shared, “I’m relieved to be healthy again. I experienced symptoms resembling lupus, but it turned out to be Covid. It was a dreadful and incapacitating experience. You realize that even at rock bottom, there’s a trapdoor leading further down.”
Detailing her struggles further, she mentioned losing her business due to health issues that prevented her from working to resolve operational challenges. Despite these setbacks, Andrea, who is married to Nick Feeney, reflected on the surreal experience of battling pneumonia, kidney failure, and sepsis while life carried on for others as usual.
Although now in good health, Andrea disclosed that she still encounters occasional aches and pains upon waking, attributing them mostly to the natural aging process. To prevent future illnesses, she emphasized the importance of listening to her body and recognizing the need to slow down when necessary.
In a conversation with the Daily Express, Andrea emphasized the significance of self-care, including prioritizing sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding overworking. She acknowledged her tendency to work excessively and highlighted the importance of recognizing when to take a break.
Following her departure from Loose Women in 2020, Andrea ventured into launching her app, Girl Is On Fire, which struggled to gain popularity. Post her recovery from long Covid, she transitioned to becoming a media trainer, leveraging her extensive broadcasting experience to assist anxious CEOs, spokespersons, and brand representatives in enhancing their communication skills.
Despite these efforts, Andrea found herself needing additional income and resorted to applying for part-time roles online. She shared her disappointment at receiving no responses to her job applications, even from establishments like Starbucks and other coffee shops, describing the experience as embarrassing and humbling.
Andrea has recently unveiled her latest book, Shameless, described as a resource for overcoming shame and finding the courage to persevere through life’s most challenging moments.