Angelina Jolie's decision

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 83 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Topic Author's Original Post - May 14, 2013 - 11:40am PT
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?_r=1&

Having lost my mother to breast cancer at a very similar age as Jolie's, and having two sisters who just might carry that gene, this gives me a lot of pause for thought as my sisters age.

To be sure, Jolie has access to medical options that are beyond most, but it still must have been a very difficult decision for her, balancing the risks of the unknown vs. her identity and her children.

I'm curious to hear the perspective of others here regarding such a choice, esp. if you've had fairly direct experience with cancer.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
May 14, 2013 - 11:54am PT
Are her lips for reals? Moosedrill's just wonderin'.

And billions don't insure bravery, nosir.

She's worth listening to as well as whatever else it is you pervs have in mind.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
May 14, 2013 - 11:54am PT
Many (thousands?) of American/Canadian/world women face this decision every day. The difference is that many western women can afford to be checked out and have something done about it if they choose.

What's important here is that Jolie, who is famous on so many levels, partly for the beauty of all of her "parts", is brave enough to tackle this and announce it, for all other women to see.
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
May 14, 2013 - 12:01pm PT

Apogee, My girlfriend and her sister made the same decision after watching their 36 year old sibling, Aunt and Grandma die from breast cancer...Their Mother has survived two bouts of breast cancer .
With breast reconstruction and silicon implants..you cannot tell the difference.
kennyt

climber
Woodfords,California
May 14, 2013 - 12:07pm PT
I thought boob threads were a bad thing?
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Topic Author's Reply - May 14, 2013 - 12:09pm PT
Man, that's got to be a tough decision.

How long ago did they have that surgery? How do they feel about it in retrospect?
Wade Icey

Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
May 14, 2013 - 12:11pm PT
I thought boob threads were a bad thing?


This one's okay because no one objectifies Angelina Jolie.




Ed:not making light of the subject, just noting the irony. A good friend just went through this and fortunately, had the Health care to cover it. A splendid alternative to dead.
mechrist

Gym climber
South of Heaven
May 14, 2013 - 12:32pm PT
She should sell those things on ebay to raise money for the cause.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
May 14, 2013 - 12:32pm PT
rSin, a bit vicious post as well as the article by Ruth Fowler on Counterpunch.

My sister died of breast cancer in 2011, my partner recently had a mammogram that was negative (thank the heavens), and my next door neighbor survived breast cancer in the summer of 2010.

Vicious self-absorbing rants do not help the matter. What do you bring to the table? What does Fowler bring to the table that helps?

Your negativity (and especially to a celebrity, jealous?) is not helpful in the debate. And Fowler sounds very bitter as well. I read her article, and I was not impressed. It was not investigative journalism, as Counterpunch claims to champion. It was an op-ed piece.

I have been a journalist on national titles and TV for some 40 years in five countries, Fowler's article was subjective, to say the least. Op-ed... certainly not investigative journalism.


BTW, I am not a Jolie fan by any means, really do not particular care for her as an actor.
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
May 14, 2013 - 12:37pm PT
Apogee, they had the procedure about 5 years ago. They have no regrets, and are both glad they made the decision and feel fortunate they had choices.

btw, they are two beautiful~ sexy mom's...(-;

couchmaster

climber
pdx
May 14, 2013 - 12:39pm PT
I would not wish that choice, not cancer of any sort, on anyone. The sooner we find a cure for cancer, all cancer, the better.

Wish her the best.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Topic Author's Reply - May 14, 2013 - 12:41pm PT
"A splendid alternative to dead."

If one had the absolute certainty that cancer was in your future, it would seem that such a decision would be considerably clearer (albeit still not 'easy').

But even with today's gene technology, there is no absolute certainty. After choosing a solution like this, one might always look back and wonder 'would cancer have struck me if I hadn't done this?'

And if cancer still strikes you years after the procedure...what are the thoughts that go through one's mind?

Edit:
Nita, how do they feel about their identity as a woman, even with such a procedure?
dirtbag

climber
May 14, 2013 - 01:40pm PT
You really are bitter.

Hats off to Jolie, who from a distance always seemed like a decent person. I applaud her for speaking out, especially in a business such as hers that values looks, including the looks of boobies.
mechrist

Gym climber
South of Heaven
May 14, 2013 - 01:50pm PT
I'm going to miss them.
Baggins

Boulder climber
May 14, 2013 - 02:11pm PT
Hey Wendy, listen up! The US doesn’t HAVE A NHS! Women sure would benefit from being screened over here, but that ain’t news! You know what would be news? A Hollywood star with Angelina’s profile and power actually highlighting how f*#king disgraceful the United States healthcare system is, rather than waxing lyrical about her own f*#king bravery and encouraging women to plop down 3k they will never, ever be able to afford on a test to see how likely it is that they’re going to die from a disease they won’t be able to get adequate treatment for.

In case you didnt realise it, you can't find a SINGLE british person who doesnt think the US healthcare system is insane. In fact insane, cruel, inefficient, inhumane, and most of all, evil.

It would be pointless for the gruniad to even mention this as a background issue - all brits know about the US healthcare system and is probably why they in general choose to emmigrate to australia rather than the US.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
May 14, 2013 - 02:27pm PT
rSin, you are a bitter person, from what I can tell. Perhaps I am wrong. But...

And I know what objectivity is and subjectivity. I wonder if you do.

And again, what do you bring to the table?

No more wasting my time with a troll and a waster.
ddriver

Trad climber
SLC, UT
May 14, 2013 - 02:31pm PT
those expecting fairness will realize they landed on the wrong planet...good luck getting off it
Norton

Social climber
the Wastelands
May 14, 2013 - 02:32pm PT
jolie didnt do a think for women in this publicity stunt

wow, rSin

so having your breasts removed because the risk is cancer is very high is a "publicity stunt"?

were you born a horse's ass or were you dropped on your head as an infant?
Michelle

Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
May 14, 2013 - 02:35pm PT
She can afford it, so what? Calling this a publicity stunt is a little off. I can't imagin anyone just cutting out body parts like this for no reason.

Having said that, since my mom and gmom died from lung cancer, should I prophylacticly cut my lungs out? Har har, no, but I'm struggling quitting smoking.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Topic Author's Reply - May 14, 2013 - 02:46pm PT
My mom smoked for 30+ years before she finally kicked it. Can't help but wonder if that wasn't some kind of trigger for her cancer.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 83 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta