Argentinian actress posts photos of her breast cancer scars… after her husband dumped her just before her removal surgery
Lorena Meritano, 45, has been sharing her battle with the disease on social media since she was diagnosed two years ago
AN ACTRESS dumped by her husband on the eve of her breast cancer surgery has shared shocking photos of her chest scars following the operation.
Lorena Meritano, 45, has been sharing her battle with the disease on social media ever since she was diagnosed in May last year.
The Argentinian told how her partner Ernesto Calzadilla, also an actor and former Mr Venezuela in 1998, left her after she was diagnosed.
She explained on her : "Today, Ernesto Calzadilla, who has been my husband up until today (17th January), who was supposed to come with me and accompany me in this process, hours before travelling has told me he is leaving me, divorcing me, and that he’s getting off the family boat.
"But I know God won’t abandon me."
Lorena had already had her right breast removed and was due to have her left breast and ovaries taken away.
The actress inspired fans across the world with photographs of herself having gone bald following chemotherapy.
Her husband appeared in many of them, frequently by her side and was praised by Lorena for standing by her.
But after she told him she needed her left breast and ovaries removed to help prevent the cancer from returning, he ended their marriage.
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Lorena admitted the surgery was not the worst part of her battle with breast cancer, writing: "Only those who have lived through and survived know what this battle means and that the more you advance the closer you feel to death.
"Because this venom kills all the bad stuff, but it also finished with all the good.
"People think that for not having a boob, losing your hair or getting thin you are suffering, but those who have lived through it know that is the least of it.
"Then after you get past it the really complicated part comes because the secondary effects begin."
Lorena recounted her experience up to now, adding: "Soon in another surgical intervention they are going to create nipples with my own skin before tattooing aureoles in two or three sessions.
"This should serve to people as a reminder of how important it is to do health checks and the importance of facing up to the challenges that life throws at us with faith, courage, humility and strength.
"I am nothing more than another human being, but I am proud of myself for doing it, I feel like I am winning the battle."
Lorena, who plays the villain in the Colombian soap opera Pasion de Gavilanes (Hawk Passion), is a hugely successful star of Latin American 'telenovelas' (serial dramas).
In an inspirational message speaking about her battle with cancer on her Instagram account, Lorena told her 654,000 fans: "Let's go! If I can, you can too. I promise you.
"Belief, patience, perseverance, courage. Infinite thanks, you can do it.";