But no, she concludes, she only feels grateful as she looks back on a long life and six-decade career.
The 82-year-old, who released a statement about her illness "because I find it difficult to skulk around various hospitals wearing an unconvincing disguise", now reveals she is facing stage 4 cancer.
Speaking for the first time about her treatment, she says: "I'm on one of the new medications, and nobody knows if it's working or not.
"But I will have a scan fairly soon which will reveal one way or another."
Yet, while facing the cancer at its most grave is desperately challenging for the TV host and Childline and Silver Line founder, the feeling of gratitude persists.
Since her diagnosis, she has found herself looking back on her work, achievements, family and friends, not least the 21 years she spent presenting That's Life! The hit BBC consumer show launched 50 years ago today, giving her all the more reason to reflect.
"My diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer made me realise how very lucky I've been in my life, working with Childline and the Silver Line, and meeting so many fascinating and inspiring people, and especially lucky to have spent 21 years working as producer/presenter of That's Life!" she says.
I'm not good at regrets. What I treasure most are the fantastic friendships I have made thanks to That's Life! during the last 50 years, the people I met, and the team who worked so hard, and laughed so hard, together for so long." Esther, whose TV producer husband Desmond Wilcox died in 2000, not only appeared as presenter on the very first show in 1973, she coined its name.
"Pardon me boasting, I came up with the title," laughs the mother of three and grandmother of five.
Back then she hosted with actor George Layton and Nationwide presenter Bob Wellings. She "loved it" and stayed on. She had been a reporter on consumer show Braden's Week, which inspired That's Life!
ãã®èšäºã¯ Daily Record ã® May 26, 2023 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ Daily Record ã® May 26, 2023 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
THE CELTIC WAHEY
Rodgers Bhoys at brilliant best to seal title in style
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
Leon loved getting a run-out for Rangers in their Dundee comeback victory on Tuesday
IT'LL BE ADAM NERVY FINAL GAME
Sidibehs late leveller sets Up.a squeaky. bum Sunday.
KEVIN SENT ACCIES
O'Hara brilliance sparks Hamilton's win
RORY'S SHORT GAME
Now Mcllroy eyes sweet success
TINDER RAPE DJ IS JAILED FOR 7 YEARS
Victim left hysterical after ordeal
RAAC & RUIN
Safety concerns over houses built with lethal concrete
Secrets of Bridgerton
It has been two years since series two of the global hit Netflix drama and much change is afoot in this third run.
Solar flare could turn on far Northern Lights
MANY Scots are hoping to see the Northern Lights this week after the sun produced its biggest solar flare in almost 10 years.
Slovak prime minister critical after shooting
Pro-Russia leader fighting for his life after assassination attempt