Model Mieko Rye has been modeling for more than 10 years. One day, she got diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Many women would hide from the world, fighting with their illness, but Mieko was determined to show to the world that cancer won’t come in the way with her modeling career.
She held her head high and confess her illness to the world. Not only that but she also did a few professional photo shoot to show what she looks like after chemo left her without hair, eyebrows and soon without breasts.
Mieko has a powerful message to all women struggling with cancer.
“I don’t have eyebrows, lashes, hair and soon I’ll lose my breasts too. Chemo is slowly deteriorating your organism. Moy body, that was once in harmony, now is completely destroyed. It’s really difficult to go from travelling around the world to lay sick in bed all day long. Every day is a challenge and little things like eating, taking a walk or holding your child into your hands can become really difficult. Cancer destroyed me but also gave me a chance to rebuild myself. I threw away what’s unnecessary and dishonest- I grew as a person,” wrote Mieko.
When Mieko first started with her modeling career, she has a lot of obstacles in her way since she had curves. When the curvy Brazilians entered the fashion industry, Mieko got her chance and grabbed it. She became instantly famous, she posed for a lot of magazines and she collaborated with a lot of famous brands.
All of those things disappeared when she was diagnosed. Instead of getting depressed, Mieko became stronger and discovered how to love herself again.
“I absolutely love the woman I’ve become. When I say I’m free, I mean I’m free from any career, men or labels that used to define me. My happiness doesn’t depend on someone’s approval and support. I’m just Mieko. I don’t have anything to hide. I have stage 3 breast cancer and I’ve never felt prettier,” explains Mieko.
Mieko’s Facebook post went viral. She later confessed that she wasn’t that brave at the beginning. When she first got her diagnose, she was terrified because she didn’t know how she’ll support her child if she lost her job.
“I realized that fear will not do me any good. Fear doesn’t defeat cancer-fighting does,” says this brave model.