After Weeks of Speculation, Princess Kate Has Cancer

Now, can we please leave her and her family alone?

Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay

I can’t imagine being in Kate’s shoes the last few weeks. Having major abdominal surgery is one thing, but then finding out there were cancer cells is a frightening realization for anyone.

It’s no wonder she has been silent. The woman needed time to process the information, heal from her operation and find the right time to share the news with her small children.

Sadly, the media didn’t let up, as usual. They have this sense of entitlement to knowing everything about royalty and celebrity lives, even if it’s sensitive and personal information that is none of their business. They didn’t for one second consider that maybe she was quiet because her family was of paramount concern; that she didn’t want her kids finding out about her illness at school from another kid belonging to a loose-tongued parent.

There have even been suggestions that a health professional at the prestigious hospital where she had her surgery had unnecessary access to her files and the breach of security was being aggressively pursued by the hospital. Who knows if this is true, or simply a means of scaring the palace to cough up some information?

I wouldn’t put it past the media. They don’t exactly have a pristine track record for telling it like it is. We saw what happened to Diana Spencer after their relentless pursuits. The treatment of Harry and Meghan has been equally despicable to the point they’ve left England.

I understand the concern about Kate’s health by the public because she is a well-respected and much-loved member of the royal family, but — let’s be honest here — the media are only interested in a hot topic that will sell papers.

I hope that now that they — and we, the public — know the Princess has cancer the heat will come off the palace. That they won’t tail her for photographs or pry relentlessly for the specific location of her cancer. What difference does it make to us?

None.

None of us have the right to any further information.

Many celebrities who have been diagnosed with life-changing illnesses use their status to educate the public. Michael. J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at an early age and has been an enormous promoter and advocate for funding research to find a cure for the disease. The Michael. J. Fox Foundation contributed to the breakthrough finding last year of a protein biomarker that can identify at-risk patients before they become symptomatic.

Two years ago, Bruce Willis’ family shared the news that the retired actor had been diagnosed with aphasia. His subsequent diagnosis of dementia and their affiliation with The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration has encouraged his supporters to learn more about the incurable disease. His family continues to provide regular updates on his condition to the public.

Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that — if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families. Source

On the other hand, Michael Schumacher’s condition has remained private since he received a life-changing injury following a skiing accident in 2013. His family has been very tightlipped about the 7-time Formula One champion driver’s health. His webpage has been silent since 2014 when it was reported he had been moved to his home to continue rehabilitation. His wife offered a statement in a recent Netflix documentary which continued to respect his privacy and not reveal anything about his status.

“ (He’s) different, but he’s here”.

“He still shows me how strong he is every day,” said Corinna. “We’re trying to carry on as a family.” Source

Even posthumously, many celebrities continue to play a major role in education. We were all stunned when the funniest man in the film industry, Robin Williams, ended his life. The hugely talented guy made us laugh in Mork and Mindy and Mrs. Doubtfire but also played some distinct dramatic roles.

It didn’t make sense to his fans — so it was assumed he was a depressed alcoholic or the like, but the tell-tale signs were there for his family. Only they knew that he had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was displaying associated symptoms such as paranoia and hallucinations that are typically related to Lewy Body Dementia.

After his death, his family teamed up with the American Brain Foundation to help spread the word about this type of dementia.

Williams’s behaviour was getting so extreme that he and his wife made the decision to go to a neurocognitive testing facility. A week before they were due to go, Williams killed himself. “I think he didn’t want to go. I think he thought: ‘I’m going to get locked up and never come out,’” Schneider says with a catch in her voice. *Source*

The point I am trying to make is many celebs — or their families — do use their position to share their personal stories, but not all of them. We all deal with what life throws us in the way we see best at the time, whether we’re famous or not.

Kate may well use her personal experience through this nightmare to help educate the public in due course, but right now she needs to focus on herself and not others — for a change. Royals are public possessions for the most part, but right now it’s hands-off time. Her own physical and mental health supersedes that of anyone else.

We often forget famous people are human and that they also have the same rights as all of us do worldwide. Regardless of whether we live in a palace or on the street, privacy and confidentiality are two fundamental rules that every living being has a right to.

Whenever I hear news that makes my heart sink, I always try to put myself in the position of the person involved and their family. Although I can never truly feel their emotions, I can be empathic to their individual needs. Some people want to talk about it, others don’t. Perhaps they want to be surrounded by loved ones or left alone. We have to respect their needs and take cues on how best to help them in their time of crisis.

I know I’m not famous and the paparazzi wouldn’t give a brass razoo if I were sick, but I would be even more anxious if I had to deal with hearing rampant gossip as well as trying to wrap my head around my diagnosis and protect my family and my privacy.

If I received bad news about my health, I’d have done exactly what Kate did. I would want to have passed the shock and denial stage and muster up my best brave face before telling my flesh and blood — let alone the world.

Let me decide who I share my story with, to what extent and when. The very thought of being constantly harassed for health updates let alone being seen looking and feeling like shite is anxiety provoking and unforgivable for this average gal.

Can you imagine having the whole world watching you as you fight cancer?

I know there are a lot of kind souls out there who just want to help and genuinely feel for the Princess and her family. It’s human nature to want to help; it makes us feel like we’re doing something useful.

Although the average ailing person would appreciate some home-baked cookies or a prepared meal, this is a no-go gesture for royalty. Sending flowers or stuffed toys is also not recommended as they’ll likely not reach her but be siphoned off to a charity (which is lovely, nonetheless.)

We’ve received the cue from the palace that Kate and the family are grateful for the outpouring of support but would appreciate it if we all would respect their privacy as her chemotherapy treatment ensues. If you’ve ever experienced or witnessed this treatment, you will understand how challenging it can be.

So what can you do to support Kate?

The best thing to do is send her good wishes; write to the Princess and wish her a speedy recovery. Share a positive sentiment with uplifting and encouraging words to help her navigate the ups and downs as she fights this unwelcome predator.

Here are a couple of ways of doing this:

• If you’re a social media fan, Kate and William have accounts with Facebook, Instagram and ‘X’ where you can leave a message.
• The Manchester Evening News has a link to write a message. They will be recorded on an interactive map.

[embed]Send your message of support to the Princess of Wales in her cancer battle Kate Middleton confirmed her cancer diagnosis in a video released on Fridaywww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The next best thing to do is give Kate, William and her young family the space and privacy they have requested for her to fight this inner demon. The last thing they need right now is to also be battling external beasts — like the media.

We can care but not peer. We can care without causing fear.