What defines you a true woman? It is not style, not personality, not culture. I ask my friends this and they told me it’s how they feel about themselves. It’s how well they carry themselves and breast plays a part. It defines them as a women. There is no right or wrong of what you think. It is HOW you think of yourself as a woman. What if you need to lose the thing that defines you a true woman? Angelina Jolie said she do not feel any less of a woman when being ask recently on her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy.
Angelina Jolie had come forward to the public to share her story about her secret surgery that had happened in between 2nd February to 27th April 2013. Having to lost her mother who had been battling with cancer for a decade and passed away at the young age of 57, she took a genetic diagnosis and DNA profiling which allow patients at high risk of inherited diseases to be identified so that they can take preventive action. From the diagnosis she was told that she carry a faulty gene – BRCA1 which increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Her doctor had estimated that she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. So her medical choice was to do a double mastectomy which decreases her chances of having a breast cancer from 87 percent down to 5 percent.
Angelina opted for nipple preserving surgery known as “nipple delay”. The procedure began on 2nd Feb. Nipple Delay rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. According to her she was in a lot of pain and bruising but it increases the chance of saving the nipple. Even days after the surgery she appears on the red carpet for The American Society of Cinematographers 27th Annual Outstanding Achievement Awards while the whole world is still clueless on what she had been through. Then 2 weeks later she undergo a major surgery which can take 8 hours to remove breast tissue and temporary fillers are put in place. 9 weeks later which is 27th April Angelina Jolie went for reconstruction surgery of the breasts with an implant. During that 9 weeks she make an appearance for G8 Summit on 11th April. That’s a few weeks ago her major surgery.
I understand that her decision to undergo this preventive double mastectomy is for the children. She have 6 kids and the last thing she want is to lose her life because of breast cancer. She had the courage to make this decision and undergo all the surgery thanks to her partner who had been very loving and supportive towards her decision. Brad is said to be at Pink Lotus Breast Center, where she was treated and being with her on every minute of the surgeries.
I lost my aunt to breast cancer on 23rd December 2012. I have never lost anyone close up till last year. Our family knew about the cancer but we always lie to ourself that she will be fine despite knowing that she was at stage 4. The cancer had since spread to lungs, kidney, liver, brain and the last attack was back bone cancer which paralyze her from waist down. She was admitted to the hospital again but I couldn’t took leave to go to the hospital. This would be the first time I couldn’t see her in the hospital. A few days later she was discharged and I told mum I must visit her for the last time before it’s too late. I reached her house around 12.30pm. Her condition wasn’t that great. She was panting for breath. Chinese believe that when someone is panting for breath means she will be dying soon. So we started to call each and every siblings of hers to visit her for the last time. The answers we got was pretty depressing – haven’t lunch and busy. My parents and I stay outside her room crying. We knew she will be leaving soon. My uncle who is the husband quickly rush out to fetch their eldest son who is working part timely as it’s school holiday. The younger son and daughter is called to be by her bed side. Mum and I went in to the room as the crying from the children is getting intense. I turned to ask mum why isn’t aunt panting anymore. Mum take a look and we realize aunt had just passed away.
My aunt’s passing had been very hard on me. I spent a full 3 days at the funeral parlour despite mum telling me to go work. I refuse. I still remember at that time I don’t care if my bosses are angry or if I will get fired. I just wasn’t in the mood and I just want to be with my aunt. I cried my hearts out for 3 days. And I couldn’t stop crying since then. I cried every morning driving to work and I cry myself to sleep every night. I speak about my aunt as if she’s still here with us. It doesn’t feel as if she had left us although this month marks the 5th month since her passing. It’s hard to accept death. I am certainly not someone that are good with saying goodbye. I can still vividly remember my aunt’s face lying inside the coffin looking calm and painless. I know well she is now in the hands of God but I’m greedy. I want to keep her longer by our side.
I can understand why Angelina Jolie makes the decision that some might think she is insane. She loves her family a lot than to see them suffer if she were to leave the world. I might not be as brave as her but she had my fullest respect and support.
Comments (12)
I am so sorry to hear about your aunt fiona! *hug*
I suck at saying goodbye too! I am lucky enough not to lose anyone close yet but being in my profession, I have seen a lot of death. I remembered when I saw the first patient passed away, I was so worried about whT happen if my family pass away and cried for a few nights.
Slowly i gain courage and acceptance that eveyone has his or her time. We are not god. And everyone need to go one day.
As for angelina, although I do admire her courage, I cant help but think that actually she lose nothing because appearance wise she lost nothing? I also ponder how many could afford have such surgeries? Nipple preserve is a very difficult surgery, and breast reconstruction is very costly too! In our society, thousands of women have mastectomies without reconstruction! Some buy uncomfortable fake breast but most have nothing!
She lose nothing except for losing the flesh inside her breast. The test for faulty gene is very expensive in the US therefore not many women can afford the test. Also a lot of women refuse mastectomy because they couldn’t lose their breast. I’m not sure I can too.
Hugs, gal…
Deepest sympathy and condolences to u and yr family…
I understand yr loss…
the pain & loss will always be there, “like a bullet hole in the wall”…
Sometimes, whn i think abt my granny or Johnny, or if something reminds me of them, my eyes will get moist, and my nose will get stuffy…
Such feelings just remind us of how much they mean to us, how much we miss them… <3
Thanks. Everything the family do or go reminds us of my aunt. Hope she is doing fine now.
First of, I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you am your family. I really hope all of you are doing better now. Cancer is something I wish I could punch in the face! I understand Angelina’s decision and I think it was a wise one indeed. She was wiling to go through just for her family and I think she should be commended for this. By doing this, she has really become a role model for many women out there. Thanks for sharing this post as this will create awareness for breast cancer.
That’s what Angelina wanted to when she decided to share out her story. She wanted everyone to know there’s a choice and way out there to prevent breast cancer.
What she did is very brave. And I heard she will be undergoing more surgeries.
Very brave indeed. She have all the support from her kids and from Brad Pitt. Yes more surgeries. She still have the ovarian cancer preventation to do.
I want to see her new breast!!!
Haha I think it’ll be the same. Don’t think so she will jack up the size.
She is brave and tough. She is a real woman.
She is indeed. All along she gave me a strong characteristic image. I wasn’t really surprised to her decision. That’s her. She’s Angelina Jolie!