by Michela Proietti
The actress and pancreatic cancer: I discovered it in time through a series of fortunate circumstances
Eleonora Giorgi, are you afraid?
“Very good, on Wednesday I will start the chemotherapy cycle at Humanitas in Milan. They told me that I could even sleep for three days with the first one, it will be so strong. I will have to repeat the therapies every 15 days. But I decided to fight with determination.”
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma. How did you react to this diagnosis?
“In disbelief, I thought you had lung problems. I was a miracle because I discovered it in time due to a series of fortuitous circumstances.
What circumstances?
“I had a bad cold and on October 26th, five days after my seventieth birthday, I had to have a mammogram. At that moment, a violent cough arose. “I’d take an X-ray right away,” I said to the sonographer. And this angel: “Madam, schedule a CT scan.”
And what happened?
«During the examination, small nodules were found, two of which were jagged. The pulmonologist ordered me to have a PET scan, which revealed pancreatic cancer. If the nodules in my lungs had been metastases, I would have had a year and a half to live. Instead, the biopsy revealed that I can have surgery after chemotherapy.”
The first thought after this “verdict”.
“At first I selfishly thought that if I had to die, it wouldn’t matter: I’ve lived an incredible life and I don’t like getting old at all. Then I looked around and saw my sons Andrea and Paolo suffering, I felt their great love: one of the positive things of this moment is being at the center of their hearts.”
Pancreatic cancer is considered a major cause of death.
“I banished a lot of fears by immediately documenting myself, along with my children.” Finding it out early is crucial. And of course I also examined the other well-known cases, such as that of Fedez and Steve Jobs. I was surprised that Jobs relied on alternative treatments for a long time. I have complete faith in science.
It is an often silent tumor, has this happened to you too?
“No, I had some symptoms. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with an elevated blood sugar level during routine examinations: the doctors attributed this to an incorrect diet because I eat so sparingly! Or alternatively, they blamed Covid for the sedentary lifestyle. To be careful, I had an ultrasound of my pancreas which showed nothing: I should have taken a closer look. I’m here to say: Don’t ignore signs.”
However, his mental state appears to be calm.
“I thought I could be a role model for others. I even showed off my acting skills during the biopsies, like when I didn’t even have to move my eyelashes to look dead. I was so calm that the doctors complimented me.
Why did you decide to speak publicly about it?
“Myrta Merlino made me feel welcome shortly before the show started. I had this rock in my heart and thought, “Maybe I can ask my audience here for all the love I need.”
Was it criticized?
“Nobody had anything to say about it.”
Will he return to the show to give updates on his health? “Yes, because I want to encourage those who struggle like me, there are also a lot of young people and that hurts me.” It will also help me not to be discouraged: I will lose my hair and eyebrows, but these moments will giving me the excuse to put on makeup, wear a black turban or a fluffy wig. Feeling alive.”
He spoke about young people in treatment, Fedez is fighting his battle.
“I know you talked about depression. Like an aunt, I would like to meet him to smile at him and let him feel the serenity that I have within me. I want to remind him that he has built a wonderful family and a great career.
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November 27, 2023 (modified November 27, 2023 | 07:14)
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