Response to Angelina Jolie's Double Mastectomy

I read an article just recently, about Angelina Jolie's brave move of having a double mastectomy. A mastectomy is a medical procedure where the breast--or breasts (since it's a double mastectomy) are being removed due to a tumor or a strain of BRCA1 gene--a cancer gene.

You can read her story here. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?hp&_r=0

Angelina Jolie has always been known to be a badass movie actress, philantrophist, mother, and now, a film director. Her mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, succumbed to breast cancer back in 2007 at the age of 56. Having that breast cancer gene is the reason why Angie had the procedure done on her, knowing that she has an estimated 87% chance of getting cancer too, due to the BRCA1 gene.

It suddenly hit home. Back in 2007, as I have told you guys before, I had a surgery--a minor operation to take off a cyst on my right breast. I know I may not have the BRCA1 gene, since my mother doesn't have one. However, it still scares me, knowing that she had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral saphingo-oophorectomy a couple of years back after having multiple ovarian cysts and myoma. I had ovarian cysts before and I wouldn't be surprised if someday it would come back again.

Just like Ms. Jolie, my main reason to stay healthy is my family. I want to see my daughters grow up, graduate, get married and have kids of their own. See my grandchildren. Grow old and have old folks' talk with my husband. And I would not be able to do that if I get sick.

When our plans of moving falls into place, I am planning to save up money and get tested someday. To get better. Knowing that there's a history of cancer in my family, I can never be so sure. That I have to fight it--or prevent it, way before it finds me.

So to all those who can read this, please take the necessary precautions to stay healthy. With all the advanced technology that we have right now in the field of medicine, almost everything is possible to get cured.

Best of luck to you all.


xo
Aryanne

Fearless Friday: Things DO Get Better

It's been almost six years since I had a health scare. I think it's about time I tell the world about it. Here goes.

Back in 2007, a month before I turn 22, I was told by my former OB that I have cysts on both my ovaries and another small one developing on my right breast. I was worried because in my family, we have a history of cancer. That time, I remembered my Lola Citang had her breasts removed because of that. So yea, I was really scared.

Three days after my birthday, I decided to lessen my burden by having my breast cyst removed. It was just an out-patient thing and was done in less than half the day. Also, I started taking meds so my ovarian cysts would go away. Luckily, when I was checked a few months after that, all the cysts were gone and that the breast mass was benign.

It was a sigh of relief.

Now fast forward, 2008, I got married and was at first scared that my cysts might have affected my chances of having kids. Aside from that, I have a tilted womb. Yes, my child-bearing goals had been cut out for me reaaaal good. Haha!

I got married in May and learned that I was pregnant with my eldest daughter on the 4th of July. That was one of the best birthday gifts I have ever had, believe me. I never thought I'd ever see that day. But I did and it was glorious. I gave birth to Renee 2009.

Three years later (2012), I had my second child, Allie. Due to my previous birth, I had been worried that I might not be able to nurse Allie as I was not able to do that for Renee back then. I thought it was because of my 2007 cysts. Luckily, I was able to breast feed her. She's turning one this month and though, because of the operation, my breasts are very much uneven--one of them is 2-3 sizes smaller than the other, I am proud to say that I am still breast feeding her. Yay! :) For me, that's something that I never thought possible, thinking that the cysts may have an effect on my milk.

Why I am telling this now is really a great thing for me. I feel like I have been so scared for years, I wasn't able to talk about this for ages. I sent this story to HL Movement and was featured on their Instagram account some few months ago. I have never felt so good to read some of their responses. That I was able to move them. Inspired them to fight and be more positive, even in the craziest moments. I would like to share the photos here as well, if you don't mind.

So yea, that's pretty much it. Not so dramatic, if you may have noticed. But still, in these situations, you should always bear in mind that things DO get better. That there's always that silver lining. I hope this gives you guys something to ponder on. Stay healthy y'all!

Much love.


XO
Aryanne