This post will spin dizzyingly by 180 degrees in tone concerning Angelina, considering how I had begun to share a less-than-flattering perception of her for several years that grew increasingly negative and unpleasant. I won't bother detailing what my criticisms were (and still are in a few areas of her life), as I now understand many tiny clues that something had been awry with her in some way on health concerns beyond her stick figure physique which begs for body fat somewhere, and a plate of pasta – or any food at all beyond a leaf of lettuce.
Now we know what's been going on, so I will now join with thousands-millions of women and men who have supported her preventative choice and consider her to be brave as well as incredibly resilient to carry on with her projects while in the midst of Post-Op Healing. The Double Mastectomy news has brought the subject of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer gene, and the radical surgical procedure of mastectomies in general, back into the public discourse: to do it or not to do it – which has been a wrenching decision process for many women.
Yesterday, a usually very private, well-known friend/former TV colleague, posted her double mastectomy experience on Facebook via her blog. I highly urge anyone with an interest in the subject beyond Jolie's to read the linked blog article HERE.
Her experience was a heartfelt admission, as well as a fascinating story of what she went through with the procedures. Had St. Angie not opened the discussion with her own news, I sincerely doubt many of us who like our mutual RL and FB friend would have known about her situation. She was inspired and brave enough to share it for the same purpose of creating further awareness of the oft-controversial gene test, in addition to the result being the removal of her breasts, that Miss Jolie has done in just over 48+ hours world-wide.
I applaud anyone who feels a need to express their issues in a sound and reasonable way, which is what I believe Angelina did, despite her usual detractor's bitching on various websites that she just had a "Boob Job" and is playing-up the cancer prevention for attention. People are creating timelines of her social outings in combo with her treatment and surgery dates. "They" don't believe she could have so many procedures while in the midst of being seen in other countries, carrying one of her Little Children in her arms, or wearing sheer clothing which they now claim cannot be found anywhere in the I-Nets following her announcement.
It's sorry and pathetic to realize how much hatred still exists for someone who is far from perfect and certainly has been the focus of endless Tabloid Rumours that, for now, I won't go into.
I think it's extremely fitting that she made the cover of Time Magazine. I also believe her. I know she's been OTT in the past with admissions of reasonably minor self-mutilization and that she can be extraordinarily savvy with how to manipulate the press. However, accusing her of lying about her surgeries for sympathy, relevancy, and basic PR gain is way beyond my cynical mind.
There are legit questions regarding whether or not radical surgeries are actually needed if one does not have cancer at the time. It is an issue which has been debated for many years. I believe it's a personal decision and, if Celebs such as Jolie and a very private person as is my former colleague, are willing to bring all of this to our attention, then, in a truly positive manner I say Good For Both Of You and thanks for the reminders!
I send good health thoughts to anyone dealing with the above concerns. Yes, I actually have a heart and, shockingly, it's still beating.
Image via: http://i.perezhilton.com
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