Charlotte Rae has been diagnosed with bone cancer.
The 91-year-old actress confirmed the news in an emotional statement to PEOPLE.
“Last Monday, I found out I have bone cancer,” the Facts of Life star revealed.
“About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — which is a miracle that they found it because usually, it’s too late. My mother, sister and my uncle died of pancreatic cancer. After six months of chemotherapy, I was cancer-free. I lost my hair, but I had beautiful wigs. Nobody even knew.
“So now, at the age of 91, I have to make up my mind. I’m not in any pain right now. I’m feeling so terrific and so glad to be above ground,” she explains.
“Now I have to figure out whether I want to go have treatment again to opt for life. I love life. I’ve had a wonderful one already. I have this decision to make.”
She was supposed to start treatment on Thursday, but has confirmed she’s going to think on it for a while.
“I wanted to think about it first,” she says.
“I think I’m going to go for it. The side effects were not too bad when I did it originally. I’ve had a great life, but I have so many wonderful things happening. I’d like to choose life. I’m grateful for the life I’ve already had.”
Charlotte has a career in the industry that dates all the way back to 1954. She got her first big break on The United States Steel Hour as Ramona.
Her most recent appearance was on Disney Channel’s recently canceled, Girl Meets World.
Rae released a memoir in 2015 that chronicled some key events in her life, while confirming that she had a very positive outlook on life.
“At 91, every day is a birthday,” she says. “[In my book] I want to tell everybody to celebrate every day, to savor the day and be good to yourself, love yourself, and then you can be good to others and be of service to others.”
We wish Charlotte a speedy recovery.