Miles Ocampo shares journey through thyroid surgery: 'Love and prioritize yourself'
Miles Ocampo has recently opened up about her journey through thyroid carcinoma and stressed the importance of prioritizing one's self.
In her Instagram post on April 14, the actress and TV host shared her journey battling with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma since late last year, which affected her overall lifestyle.
“I used to be scared of hospitals, but since late last year I haven’t felt my normal self,” she began her post.
“Waking up in the middle of the night ‘cause I can’t breathe, I get tired so easily, sooooo frustrated with my weight gain, para akong palaging hapong-hapo and sinasakal.. then finally I had the courage to have it checked,” she shared.
The 25-year-old actress went on to share her struggle with the disease, especially for someone like her “who’s afraid of needles.”
“I feel like it was an endless blood test, ultrasound to biopsy, then the decision to remove it ASAP. We found out it was Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma,” she recalled. “I had to undergo Thyroidectomy surgery to remove my thyroid glands. It all happened in an instant.”
Braving the journey, Miles couldn’t be more grateful to her support systems during the process.
“Just want to express my gratitude to everyone who’s been part of my journey. To my doctors especially Dra.Aileen Salalima, thank you for making me feel safe and for assuring me that i’ll be back to my normal self,” she wrote.
“To my family: mama, papa, kuya, chochoy.. for checking on me, thank you making sure I am not alone during those times, Mahal ko po kayo. To Luiz’s mom and dad for being with me during my blood works too and for making me feel loved always, maraming salamat po,” she continued.
She also thanked her agency, Crown Artist Management, especially Maja Salvador and her soon-to-be husband, Rambo Nuñez, as well as her Eat Bulaga family.
She also penned a sweet gratitude message to her boyfriend, actor Elijah Canlas who she calls “Luiz.”
“And lastly to my Luiz, I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Thank you for encouraging me to face my fears with doctors and hospital, to prioritize myself and to love myself,” she said. “Thank you for being my strongest support.”
Miles also penned appreciation to people undergoing the same battle with the disease, reminding them that they are “not alone.”
“I’ve been receiving messages from you guys who has the same situation with me that you’re inspired with what I went through, but sharing your experiences too and reading your comments inspired me too. You are not alone,” she wrote. “Sending my love to everyone. Love and prioritize yourself.”
Ending her post, Miles also stressed the importance of being kind, addressing concerns against body shaming. “[W]ith or without any health conditions, no to body shaming. be kind. always. Please."
What is Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma?
According to Mayo Clinic, Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma is a common type of thyroid cancer that affects people of any age. Unlike the others, it tends to grow slowly and usually affects one lobe of the thyroid gland.
Symptoms include pain in the “neck, ear, and jaw.” The patient will also most likely suffer difficulty breathing and swallowing. PTC is highly curable via surgery or therapy.
