Kris Aquino talks about colon cancer scare, upcoming show, keeping her relationship private until wedding
Kris Aquino's doctors performed tests on her amid theories she may have colon cancer, which her late mother, the late former president Cory Aquino had, but found that there were no visible signs of the disease.
In a lengthy post shared as text images on Instagram on Oct. 20, Aquino recalled undergoing many tests, including a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which she said was "normally done to rule out cancer."
Calling it "devastating," she said she was knocked out after her PET scan.
"I could sense something was wrong because my team of doctors didn’t do their normal rounds," she said.
The next day, Aquino said her gastroenterologist "had no choice" but to tell her because she needed to start her "purge for endoscopy and colonoscopy." But her colon area lit up.
"I'm normally very brave. But I broke down after my doctor left," she said, adding her nurses saw her and said they had never seen her so sad. "My mom’s oncologist had to come in, and it felt surreal."
Aquino noted that Cory was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in March 2008. Her grandmother, whom she fondly calls "Lola Ma," also had colon cancer and shared the same blood type as her and her sons Josh and Bimb.
She said it was the "hardest" to tell the situation to Bimb, who was sleeping on the small sofa while she did her tests.
"When Dr. Divinagracia left, I was in tears explaining to Bimb what could happen," she said. "Ang hirap to see my 17-year-old doing his best to stay strong."
But he reassured her and recalled him saying, "Mama until they do the biopsy let's trust God that you're cancer-free." Bimb even joked that her brother, the late president Noynoy, is "not excited" for a reunion in heaven because she talks "nonstop."
Doctors eventually told Aquino the good news.
"Late afternoon when I was wide awake, Dr. Jonnel was smiling, he said, 'You are cancer free. Clear intestines. No visible signs of cancer,'" she said.
Still, Aquino announced some "not so good news," which is her having six autoimmune conditions, three of which are life-threatening: Churg-Strauss syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and lupus.
"Pwedeng ma-damage my vital organs or my blood vessels, specifically my artery connecting my lungs to my heart," she said, "to the extent na I can die immediately from a stroke or aneurysm or cardiac arrest."
She said she's allergic to all steroids and "reacts quickly" with oral medicine, which she noted are the first two lines of defense for those with autoimmune conditions.
Though her pain tolerance is "pretty badass," she has deep bone pain due to flare-ups brought about by lupus. Moreover, she struggles with eating, making her calf muscles "look like toothpicks" and forcing her to walk with assistance.
Since her immunity is "zero," everyone living with her who goes out needs to shower and wear a mask in her presence. Guests also need to be freshly showered and not come from any other place.
"Ang ubo for me can easily be pneumonia and ICU (intensive care unit) confinement," she said. "Strict rule, no direct—even indirect—sun exposure or my lupus flares will be triggered as well as my scleroderma."
But Aquino has a firm resolve to deal with her health conditions.
"I promised myself bawal sumuko. I need a goal, something for all of us to look forward to," she said, adding the hashtag #tuloyanglaban.
Return to showbiz
Aquino also announced an upcoming show, which will launch before 2024 ends.
"Secret muna yung concept," she said, "but you will get to see the reality of Kris, Bimb, and my "through the years" best friends (my extended family) and definitely my team of doctors who are now among my most trusted friends."
In concluding her post, Aquino also said she's going mum about her love life.
"Apologies, but until my groom and I exchange vows, in that very small wedding (but surely not held outdoors)," she said, "I'm choosing to keep my relationship private."
"Ibalato niyo an sa 'kin 'yun. Invited naman kayong lahat if and when sa kasal," she said.
