This morning on the Today show, Giuliana Rancic, 37, made a big announcement. Only it wasn't the happy pregnancy news we've all been waiting for as she and her husband, Bill Rancic, have struggled with infertility for years. Rather she revealed that she has breast cancer, which was discovered because of her IVF treatments.
She said she was originally planning to wait until she was 40 to have her first mammogram, but her IVF doctor insisted she get one as she was undergoing her third round of IVF. Though she went "kicking and screaming," she went, never believing that she -- at 36 (she's since had a birthday) with no family history of breast cancer -- could have it. Unfortunately, she learned shortly thereafter that she does.
Whether you are religious or not, it has to make you question if things happen for a reason. She believes that they do. She told Ann Curry she always knew there was a reason she wasn't getting pregnant, and that this discovery now explains it. Since it was detected so early, her prognosis is good. She will have surgery this week, then undergo six weeks of radiation treatments. After that, she plans to go right back to her attempts to get pregnant again:
I'm not going to give up. I still want this baby ... because this baby has saved my life. I truly feel God was looking out after me … If I had gotten pregnant later down the line, I could have been a lot sicker.
It's hard to see it when you're stuck in the middle of something as desperate as infertility, but believing there is a bigger reason can certainly be comforting. Whether it's God, Mother Nature, the universe, or whatever you choose to believe is responsible for those reasons, having faith in something can certainly help when the world seems to make no sense.
That faith, which the Rancics have shown continuously throughout their infertility struggles, will serve them well as they beat cancer as well. And just as they have done with infertility, they're sharing their cancer battle with the world, providing comfort and inspiration in the process. Giuliana, who was visibly shaking during the interview, told Ann that while it was difficult, she was sharing her story to help other women remember to take care of themselves. "Don't feel sorry for me, just call your doctor tomorrow and make an appointment," she said.
Good luck to the Rancics. Once they kick cancer's ass -- like you know they will -- we'll be hoping and praying with them once again for that pregnancy announcement we really want for them so badly, which they deserve so much.
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Do you believe things like infertility happen for a bigger reason?
Image via Today
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Comments 134
Face it, 36 is old, when it comes to having a baby. Having a baby is supposed to be a natural thing, not something that takes place because of the intervention of a scientist.
In circumstances like hers, I think a person should just adopt. It's creepy to me the things people selfishly do just to have a "baby of their own".
There are way too many children in America who are already here that have no parents. Wouldn't a woman who can't naturaly have a baby of her own make the perfect mother for an unwanted baby?
I find all of this IVF and whatnot to be gross and selfish. Get mad if you want, but the fact is: anorexic, old people who are injected with botox and years of fake hormones aren't physically supposed to be able to have kids. Cancer is just cells that are multiplying incorrectly (maybe as a side effect?).
THAT'S about as natural as it gets.
Call me old if you wish. I gave birth to my last child at 40. Actually I have been blessed with ZERO fertility problems -- hence the 8 children. Still, I have compassion for those millions of woman that cannot conceive.
A 36yr old woman is not too old to have a child. I, however, do concede that at my present age of 45 would make me TOO OLD for another.
The poster who claims IVF treatments to be, "gross and selfish," sounds like an immature 16 year old who `cut' school today.
Um, 36 is NOT "too old" to get pregnant and have a baby. My mother in law got pregnant with my husband at the age of 39 and had a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Oh, and she's rail-thin too. Has been her entire life. So knock off the judgmental blanket statements, people. Being thin and in your late 30's does not disqualify you from having children. Infertility issues can strike at any age or weight.
I dont think she is annorexic, my aunt is 5ft9 and barely broke 100lbs when she was pregnant. She always had trouble gaining weight and she eats ALL THE TIME. Also if you have ever watched the show you would see that Giulianna eats alot and its not all salad and water. Maybe she just has trouble gaining weight and that can cause problems having a baby. My aunt had 6 miscarriages and lost one baby after the baby spent 1 yr in the hospital. She finally was able to concieve (naturally) and has 2 healthy children but it was hard getting there.
There are babies given up for adoption in America every day.
If you can't have a baby, and you want one, why not adopt?
Oh, because you're selfish.
And for the old lady who called me a "16 year old who would 'cut' school", you're a moron. I have a college education and I am in my later 20s.
All I'm hearing in the comments is selfishness.
This poor woman (and Bill). To have severe struggles with infertility and then breast cancer on top of it? Sheesh. Prayers for her and her family.
I think God is giving her a wake up call that He is in control and she needs to put all her faith in Him so he can carry her burdens.