Giuliana Rancic's Breast Cancer Is a Blessing in Disguise

on November 23, 2011 at 4:01 PM

When E! News host Giuliana Rancic announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, many of us were seriously dumbfounded by the news. This poor woman! Given her struggles with infertility and all the attention that's been paid to her weight, it seemed like she had already been through enough already!

But after having gone through a double lumpectomy as part of her breast cancer treatment last month, it turns out she's in really high spirits. She says she has "good days and bad days," but she's "hanging in there," and she credits her fans for that. She says she's grateful they've continued to tell her through blogs, tweets, and emails, "'Be strong. You're strong.'" I could see why that would make an amazing difference. In fact, it seems her entire experience -- from announcing the diagnosis to recovering from her surgery -- has ironically done a very positive number on Giuliana.

See, back when she was about to reveal her health news, she described herself as a complete "nervous wreck." Who wouldn't be, right? But now ... it sounds like she's in a much more serene, que sera sera, mellow place. It looks like cancer, surgery, and the ensuing outpouring positive reinforcement, support, and love from everyone in her life has really chilled her out and helped her realize ... she doesn't have to go it alone! She's got what it takes to tough it out through this battle! So awesome.

What's going on with Giuliana just goes to show the scariest health challenge you've ever had to face sometimes has a way of totally making over your perspective on life, your attitude, and your state of mind. You end up realizing you only have control over so much, and by focusing on those things you can control, you free up a lot of that stress and nervousness that can be really exhausting and counterproductive to healing and maintaining your health! And you actually end up better off in the long-run.

Giuliana is living proof that whatever doesn't kill us really does make us stronger.

Do you agree that a scary health challenge can actually be a blessing in disguise and change you for the better? Has it ever happened to you?

Image via David Shankbone/Flickr

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: breasts, cancer, celebrities, allergies

Comments (16)

kelli0585

on Nov 23, 2011 at 4:04 PM

Cancer is NEVER a blessing in disguise. Ever.

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Stacey.

on Nov 23, 2011 at 4:25 PM

No there is no silver lining to an illness that kills people everyday. That is like saying Magic Johnson is a better man bc of HIV/ AIDS (not sure which one it is, either way...)

"You end up realizing you only have control over so much, and by focusing on those things you can control, you free up a lot of that stress and nervousness that can be really exhausting and counterproductive to healing and maintaining your health"

Uh ya, nothing is more counter productive to your health or stressful than a deadly illness so i do not follow your logic.

Kritika

on Nov 23, 2011 at 4:33 PM

Thank you for saying what I was thinking Kelli and Stacey.

Nonmember comment from Liz

on Nov 23, 2011 at 4:48 PM

Studies have shown that optimistic people have a better survival rate than pessimistic people. There is a definite benefit to looking for the good in life, no matter how hard that can be sometimes.

on Nov 23, 2011 at 4:58 PM

Liz you can have a positive outlook during tough times but I would not wish a debilitating disease on even the most ungrateful of people. Except maybe my ex.

Facebook comment from Lee Ludwig Meyers

on Nov 23, 2011 at 7:01 PM

I would agree with Giuliana. My fight against cancer brought me closer to my husband and daughter, it has led me to really appreciate the people that I love and the joys of life. I thank God that He blessed me with this disease and the He is allowing me to live and to help others on their journey. I am sorry that some people are left embittered - but I found hope, love, joy and peace.

on Nov 23, 2011 at 7:40 PM

Kritika who is wishing cancer on anyone? You can't speak for everyone who has ever had cancer, as Lee's comment clearly indicates.

Facebook comment from Nicole Martin

on Nov 23, 2011 at 9:04 PM

I would NEVER say it's a blessing in disguise. But I would say that being positive makes it easier to deal with it. I have an invasive breast cancer with chemo and RT...... the package !!!!! But I do stay positive as much as possible. There are bad days and yet good days too.

Nonmember comment from Lindsay

on Nov 23, 2011 at 11:18 PM

I totally agree with Lee. I have stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 34. I am married with 5 kids. You have to look at the good in all struggles of life or you wouldn't make it through this life. I have realized that God is my strength through this. It has helped me realize what's important in life and live a rich life.

lyngerdam

on Nov 23, 2011 at 11:19 PM

Cancer was a definite blessing for me. I was working too much, with four kids in grammar school, marriage that was shaky and cancer stopped all that craziness. Oh and I was taking care of elderly relatives at the time. I didn't get the message the first time God told me to slow down, didn't get the message the second time and finally cancer stopped me. I am so much happier now (10 years later) than I was then. I prioritize so much better now. So what I take a pill a day, so what if I am paranoid about every cold or stomach ache - Life is good & God is Great.