![Brid get's new lease of life I'M THRIVING & SURVIVING!](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472108748/1713154215/articles/gCoJiyJTV1713188502888/BRID-GETS-NEW-LEASE-OF-LIFE-IM-THRIVING-SURVIVING.jpg)
As a scientist, Bridget Prendiville knows how to listen to her body. So when four mammograms showed no evidence of breast cancer but Bridget still felt that something still wasn't right, she pushed for further checks.
"I requested an ultrasound in my left breast, which showed some irregularities, so they biopsied it and discovered I had stage 3 breast cancer," says Bridget, who's lived in Tauranga since 1999.
That was in late 2020 and Bridget, the mother of TVNZ sports reporter Michelle Prendiville, underwent a full mastectomy of her left breast, followed by months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as bone infusions to strengthen her bones and help prevent the cancer from spreading.
Almost four years down the track and the 60-year-old says the "silver lining" of her disease was becoming involved with the Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust (BCSST).
"As soon I was diagnosed, I got in contact with them because I wanted to learn as much as I could about breast cancer. They put me in touch with the BOOBOPS, a dragon boat racing team of breast cancer survivors.”
Despite never having been in a dragon boat or done strenuous exercise since she was at school, Bridget soon fell in love with the thrice weekly training sessions and, later, regional and national competitions.
This story is from the April 07, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 07, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Cb_TKLEwC1719223860564/JESS-TEARS-OVER-JUSTINS-SHOCK-ARREST.jpg)
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
![NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/9hn5JJceT1719223759677/NICHOLAS-GALITZINE-I-WAS-DRIPPING-IN-JEWELS.jpg)
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
![JUDGE JAY-JAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/M8re2qVgG1719223657366/JUDGE-JAYJAY.jpg)
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
![KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Y-mf55dwk1719222945860/KIWI-BROADWAY-DARLING-MY-BATTLE-WITH-ANOREXIA.jpg)
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
![EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/O1C8PyJ2W1719223418031/EMMAS-PREGNANCY-NIGHTMARE-I-SPENT-ALL-DAY-VOMITING.jpg)
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
![CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/RDo5Zx7y81719222206315/CHIEFS-STAR-EMONIS-HEALING-JOURNEY.jpg)
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
![AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/pfIe_C9K71719222061308/AMANDA-KNOXS-NEW-LIFE-DOTING-MUM-CRIME-PODCASTER.jpg)
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
![SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Uza1kgPox1719221667432/SHORTY-STARS-EMMETT-HOLLYS-HIDDEN-HEARTBREAK.jpg)
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
![PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/jwLXyifKP1719221232787/PIRIPI-STEPH-WHAT-REALLY-HAPPENED.jpg)
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
![POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/MHQBT0w8i1719220941846/POSH-BECKS-SECRET-DIVORCE.jpg)
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family