EXCLUSIVE
Former ‘America’s Next Top Model’ contestant Jael Strauss has died just two months after announcing she’d been diagnosed with cancer.
Sources close to the model — who competed on season 8 of the reality show — tell us she died in hospice Tuesday...
"ANTM" Alum Jael Strauss Dead at 34 2 Months After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Showing posts with label Diagnosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diagnosis. Show all posts
Sunday, December 16, 2018
"ANTM" Alum Jael Strauss Dead at 34 2 Months After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
"ANTM" Alum Jael Strauss Dead at 34 2 Months After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
EXCLUSIVE
Former ‘America’s Next Top Model’ contestant Jael Strauss has died just two months after announcing she’d been diagnosed with cancer.
Sources close to the model — who competed on season 8 of the reality show — tell us she died in hospice Tuesday...
"ANTM" Alum Jael Strauss Dead at 34 2 Months After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Ex-"Good Day LA" Host Jillian Barberie Jokes About "Spectacular" Boobs After Cancer Diagnosis
Jillian Barberie has the most awesome way of saying, “F**k cancer” — on the heels of announcing she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, she’s celebrating her girls … and yes, that means her boobs. The former Fox personality — for “Good Day LA”…
Monday, October 22, 2018
Selma Blair Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: "I Am Disabled"
Selma Blair has written candidly and emotionally about the most personal of topics.
On Saturday, the actress revealed that she has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
This disease affects the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain.
It is not a death sentence, although those afflicted live on average seven years fewer than those who have not been diagnosed.
It is debilitating, however.
Blair posted a selfie on Instagram over the weekend and proceeded to explain why she came forward with her “profound” story.
She did so by giving credit to costume designer Allisa Swanson, who is working on her upcoming show Another Life, detailing how Swanson designs her wardrobe on the show…
… but also “carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself.”
Wrote Blair of her illness:
“I am in exacerbation. I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it.”
Blair hopes to use her platform to assist others, but also admits that she could use a lot of help herself.
“I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself. You can’t get help unless you ask.
“But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am ok.
Continued the star, perhaps best known for her big screen role in Cruel Intentions:
“But if you see me, dropping crap all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges.”
Blair also appeared opposite Charlie Sheen on FX’s Anger Management and also portayed Kris Jenner on the first season of American Crime Story.
In response to her open and honest post, Blair has received support from strangers on the Internet and friends in the entertainment business.
“I love you, I’m proud of you, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” wrote Sarah Michelle Gellar, while her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., added:
“Love you Mama.”
Blair, who was diagnosed in mid-August, said she thought she just had a “pinched nerve” prior to receiving her diagnosis.
She estimates that she has had MS for about 15 years.
The cause of MS is still unknown, but women have a much higher diagnosis rate than men.
There is no cure.
Tweeted actress Megan Mullally to Blair:
“damn, it’s hard to know what to say, except i’m terribly sorry to hear this, and thank you for your courage and for coming forward, selma. you’re helping hundreds of thousands of people.”
Blair also heard from others suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. To wit:
We admire thes strength and courage of Selma Blair.
She will remain in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Cheyenne Floyd Reveals Daughter"s Heartbreaking Diagnosis
In many respects, the ladies of the Teen Mom franchise have it much, much easier than most young single moms.
After all, they enjoy six-figure salaries from relatively cushy jobs that generally don"t require them to spend much time away from their children.
But the ladies of Teen Mom seem to be cursed with a virulent streak of bad luck as well — and sadly, the newest cast member is no exception.
It"s only been three weeks wince Cheyenne Floyd joined the cast of Teen Mom OG, but already, her sad story has earned her the sympathy and support of a legion of new fans.
Here"s the latest on Floyd"s frightening situation:
1. A New Face
After gaining a modicum of fame on MTV shows such as Are You the One?, Cheyenne made her official Teen Mom OG debut at the start of the show’s eighth season.
2. Mixed Feelings
At first, fans were conflicted about the addition of Cheyenne to the long-running MTV series.
3. Big Shoes to Fill
Many were happy to see the fired Farrah Abraham replaced by just about anyone.
4. The Critics
Others pointed out that Cheyenne was not one of the original girls (or “OGs”) of the Teen Mom franchise, and wished that producers would leave well enough alone.
5. The Moms of Teen Mom
The other moms seem to have embraced Cheyenne with open arms, which is important, as the mother of one will need all the support she can get in the difficult times ahead.
6. A Sad Revelation
On a recent special introducing fans to the new moms (Bristol Palin also joined the cast this season), Cheyenne revealed some shocking news about her 1-year-old daughter Ryder.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Fatima Ali, Beloved Top Chef Star, Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
Fatima Ali is in need of your prayers.
The former Top Chef contestant, whose personality made her into a fan favorite on Season 15, has penned a powerful and emotional essay.
In it, Ali reveals that she has cancer — and will almost certainly be dead in a year.
“The cancer cells my doctors believed had vanished are back with a vengeance in my left hip and femur bone,” wrote the 29-year old on Tuesday wrote in a post published by Bon Appétit’s Healthyish.
In heartbreaking detail, she proceeded to give fans her diagnosis:
“My oncologist has told me that I have a year to live, with or without the new chemotherapy regimen.
“I was looking forward to being 30, flirty and thriving. Guess I have to step it up on the flirting. I have no time to lose.”
We have no idea how Ali, or anyone in her situation, can joke at a time like this.
It’s the epitome of bravery.
“It’s funny, isn’t it?” continued the beloved reality star.
“When we think we have all the time in the world to live, we forget to indulge in the experiences of living.
“When that choice is yanked away from us, that’s when we scramble to feel.
“I am desperate to overload my senses in the coming months, making reservations at the world’s best restaurants, reaching out to past lovers and friends, and smothering my family, giving them the time that I so selfishly guarded before.”
That’s what the song and the saying says, right?
To live like you are dying?
It really is tragic that only those actually dying typically have this kind of perspective.
Ali finished in seventh place on Top Chef.
In late 2017, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, which is a type of bone and soft tissue cancer.
The aspiring chef underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy prior to having the tumor in her left shoulder surgically removed.
This is a photo of Ali and Padma Lakshmi in the hospital from January of 2018.
She announced in February that she was cancer-free, yet started suffering complications after completing her final found of chemotherapy in August.
“I’ve spent more time in sterile hospital rooms in the past year than I have in my own apartment,” Ali wrote in her essay.
“This has become my new home, and the staff a part of my family…
“Everyone’s amazed that I’m taking it so well. But when you hit rock bottom, there really is no place to go but up.”
Ali doesn’t know how much time she has left for sure, but she plans to spend the final months of her life doing what she loves best: visiting new restaurants in New York City.
“I was always deathly afraid of being average in any way,” she concluded. “And now I desperately wish to have a simple, uneventful life.”
God bless her.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Alan Alda Reveals Parkinson"s Disease Diagnosis
Alan Alda, the veteran and beloved actor, who is also a six-time Emmy Award winner, announced on Tuesday morning that he has Parkinson"s disease.
The long-time star, who anchored one of the most popular programs of all-time (M.A.S.H.) as combat doctor Hawkeye Pierce, opened up about this condition in an interview with CBS today.
"I was diagnosed three-and-a-half years ago and I"ve had a full life since then," the 82-year-old said, adding:
"I"ve acted, I"ve given talks, I help at the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook, I"ve started this new podcast."
Wow.
As you can tell, this diagnosis has not slowed Alda down one bit.
He didn"t even really plan on going public with the news until he realized that he might not have a choice.
"I had been on television a lot in the last couple of weeks talking about the new podcast – and I could see my thumb twitch in some shots and I thought, it"s probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view, but that"s not where I am," he explained on air.
The podcast to which he keeps referring is called Clear+Vivid. It explores all the ways in which people communicate with each other.
Alda also emphasized during this interview that he isn"t "angry" about what has happened to him.
The widely respected star has enjoyed memorable stints on such hits shows as the West Wing, 30 Rock, The Big C, The Blacklist and, most recently, The Good Fight.
"There are some common symptoms, but mostly everybody"s different and each day is different from the next," Alda said about his illness.
"One day you wake up, you think, oh, it"s over, it"s gone. Next day it"s back a little worse. You don"t know what it"s going to be, but the main thing is, there"s stuff you can do and I"ve been — you know how I look at it?
"It"s like a puzzle to be solved. What do I have to adapt to to carry on a normal life? And I enjoy solving puzzles."
What an admirable attitude.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that results in movement-related problems, commonly referred to as "motor" functions.
Symptoms can include impaired balance and coordination, slurred speech and difficulty walking.
Fellow actor Michael J. Fox has been open about his own diagnosis for years.
Watch Alda"s full interview on the subject here.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
NeNe Leakes Reveals Husband"s Cancer Diagnosis
NeNe Leakes has opened up about the most personal and troubling of news:
Her husband has been diagnosed with cancer.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to share a photo of her and Gregg at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
She went ahead and then revealed this sad news via one simple photo and one simple caption:
The former features Gregg sitting next to a computer, which shows the word “cancer” crossed out on the monitor.
The latter reads as follows:
Our New Normal and the fight begins #f-ckcancer#mdandersoncancercenter #yougotthis #iloveyou.
Take a look at the image in question below and join us in sending thoughts and condolences to both NeNe and Gregg.
We don’t have any further information at the moment regarding Gregg’s type of cancer or his pronosis.
Multiple outlets have written that they’ve reached out to Leakes for comment and have not heard anything back just yet.
Three weeks ago, however, the veteran reality star canceled a series of her appearances, announcing that Gregg had been under doctor’s supervision for over two weeks.
“Today marks the 15th day straight that Gregg has been in the hospital,” NeNe said in an Instagram video message to her fans on May 21, adding:
“I find it very difficult to stand on stage and laugh and have a good time and give you guys your money’s worth knowing that my husband’s in the hospital not feeling well.”
Our guess is that Leakes wasn’t aware at this time just what the problem was with her husband.
“He has said to me over and over again, ‘Go on, go out there, have a good time, do the show, I’m going to be fine,"” continued Leakes last month.
“But I find it mentally very hard for me to do that.”
NeNe and Gregg have been married since 1997.
As loyal Real Housewives fans know, however, the duo briefly divorced in 2011, only to remarry two years later (as seen on NeNe’s spin-off series, I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding).
Over the past several weeks, we’ve mostly written about NeNe due to her never-ending feud with Kim Zolciak.
The former friends have gone back and forth on social media forever, it seems ratcheting up their rivalry with accusations of racism and roach-infestations.
At this point, however, we’d have to imagine that the insults will stop for at least a little bit.
There are clearly more important things to focus on here.
Even Zolciak would probably send along best wishes to Leakes and her loved ones after learning this unfortunate piece of information.
We’ll update this story with messages of support from other members of the Real Housewives franchise once they come pouring in.
Hang in there, NeNe and Gregg.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Abby Lee Miller Speaks Out After Cancer Diagnosis
Late last month, Abby Lee Miller was released from prison after eight and a half months behind bars, and moved to a halfway house.
Abby underwent treatment for what was believed to be an infection … and has unfortunately been diagnosed with cancer.
Now, she’s released a selfie from the hospital with a message for her supporters.
Early last week, Miller underwent emergency surgery over pain in her neck and increasing levels of paralysis in her extremeties.
At the time, it was believed to have been caused by an infection.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be more complicated than an infection, and will need more than antibiotics to treat.
The former Dance Moms star has cancer, specifically in the form of Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was first identified in the 1950s.
Now, for the first time since that diagnosis, she’s opening up with a statement.
And that statement accompanies a powerful selfie from her hospital bed.
In the captions beside this very vulnerable photo, Miller writes:
“So much gratitude and love for those who listened, those who looked deeper, and those who leapt into action.”
She doesn’t mention the cancer, but … she knows that we all know.
“So much more I wish I could say……about how quickly your life can change at the hands of others.”
She extends her thanks.
“Thanks for [the love].”
She spelled out that love with emojis, and then followed it with a number of tags.
“#abbyleemiller #abbylee #aldc #aldcla #aldcalways #dancemoms #iwilldance”
That caption is very raw and genuine and it really tugs at your heartstrings.
(If she were a Millennial, she probably would have written “I lived b–ch,” after the meme, and left it at that, but there’s probably no wrong way to post a selfie after you’ve undergone surgery)
The good news is that Burkitt lymphoma has a 90% survival rate.
The bad news is that the survival rate is said to be lower among adults, among whom this particular form of lymphoma is considerably less common.
That said, Abby Lee Miller is nothing if not a fighter.
She is expected to undergo both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
This is actually the first glimpse that Abby Lee Miller has given the world of herself following her stint in prison, during which she apparently lost a great deal of weight.
(They weren’t starving her — she underwent weight loss surgery before going behind bars)
You can see how the shape of her face has changed, even though you can only see part of it.
All things considered, she looks great.
We wish that the photo had come under better circumstances.
No one, even controversial reality stars, deserves cancer.
As she undergoes treatment, one of the top priorities for Abby’s well-being will be that she remain hydrated.
Doctors are not yet certain whether her lymphoma has spread, as it is known to do.
The good news about Burkitt lymphoma, which is a fast-spreading cancer, is that it tends to respond more quickly to treatment than slow-spreading cancers.
We certainly hope that Miller will make a full recovery as soon as possible.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Mackenzie McKee Reveals Mother"s Heartbreaking Brain Cancer Diagnosis
You probably know Mackenzie McKee best for her time on Teen Mom 3, and for her subsequent wild and crazy antics.
But today, Mackenzie is in the news for a different, much more upsetting reason …
It’s because she just revealed that her mother, Angie Douthit, has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
It sounds like the family just got the news on Tuesday — that night, Mackenzie tweeted “Haven’t cried this hard in over ten years. By far the worst night of my life.”
A few hours later, she asked “all prayer warriors” to “please pray for my mom.”
“What we thought was bronchitis turned out to be 3 masses on her brain, 1 large imone in her lungs and multiple blood clots,” she explained.
“We are in shock and devastated. She has brain surgery tomorrow. I’m sick. I’m so sick and want to wake up from this nightmare.”
Yesterday, Angie did have the brain surgery, but TMZ reports that things are even worse than they previously thought.
Doctors found two more lesions in her brain, as well as multiple masses in her lungs. She’s been diagnosed with stage four brain cancer.
The family has made a GoFundMe account to help with the costs of treatment — remember, although Mackenzie was a Teen Mom, the girls from Teen Mom 3 only filmed for one season, and they never made the money the other moms did.
In the information for the fundraiser, Angie’s family explains that her tumors “cover almost the entire brain,” and the cancer “started in her lungs with several masses and spread to her brain.”
“Angie has always been the healthiest person,” she “doesn’t smoke and never did,” and she also abstains from alcohol, eats organic, and runs marathons, “so this has come as a complete shock to the family.”
In an update, it was revealed that Angie will get an MRI and a bone scan today, along with a few other tests, to determine the course of treatments.
In another heartbreaking update, Angie herself wrote that her family had given her running gear for Christmas, and “Since I can’t run right now, I challenge all of u to run for me tomorrow believing that I will soon get to run and wear my new things.”
Yesterday, Mackenzie shared a collage of photos of her mother on Instagram, calling her “the most amazing woman I know.”
“She taught me everything I know. She is the only reason I am the woman I am today. I love you Mom. I’m devastated, I’m angry, I’m shook, I can’t breathe.”
“You are everything,” she finished. “Please pray.”
In a statement she gave to Us Weekly, Mackenzie echoed the information on Angie’s GoFundMe page, saying “She is the healthiest person I know. Eats healthier than me. Always organic.”
“Doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, she is a school teacher so she has no money. She runs marathons and works out two to three times a day. This does not run in our family.”
“I am so sad,” she continued. “I can barely breathe. I can not lose her.”
“She did ask that I blog her whole journey and make a documentary in case something does happen we will always have that. I know God will use her to speak to others.”
Mackenzie does seem intent on documenting everything so far — her last update was a couple of hours ago on Twitter, where she wrote “Does your body ever run out of tears?”
Best wishes for her and her family as they go through this tragic ordeal.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Jenelle Evans: LYING About David Eason"s Cancer Diagnosis?!
Earlier this week, Jenelle Evans stunned fans when she tweeted that hter husband, David Eason, had battled cancer.
It was the first time that Evans had mentioned Eason"s thyroidectomy and radation therapy, and many were confused as to why she waited so long.
After all, it"s not as though Jenelle is the quiet type.
Evans says she simply wanted to protect her husband"s privacy, but at least one person close to the situation thinks this is another case of Jenelle bending the truth to suit her needs…
1. The Easons
Jenelle and David have been through a lot in their relatively short time together. This week, in a fit of rage, Evans revealed that they’d kept one of their greatest struggles a secret.
2. The Wrath of Jenelle
We learned about David’s battle with cancer when Jenelle flipped out on a random Twitter troll. The user remarked that tall people like David have shorter life expectancies, and Jenelle just lost it …
3. The Big Sick
Jenelle slammed the remarks about David as insensitive “especially because he’s a cancer survivor.” Naturally, fans were to quick to ask for elaboration following this bombshell.
4. Calling BS
One fan who claimed to have insider knowledge of the situation insisted that Jenelle was lying. “He didn’t have cancer!” the follower wrote. “Like women have preventative mastectomies because they have a family history.
5. A Fair Point…
“If [David] really was a cancer survivor don’t you think Jenelle would’ve sold a million stories by now?” the fan concluded. Many fans agreed that Jenelle is not the type to keep something like this to herself.
6. Jenelle Claps Back
Jenelle was having none of this fan’s argument, and she offered up what she claimed was visual evidence that David has undergone life-saving cancer treatment.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis
One of the television world’s most beloved and accomplished actresses has shocked fans with a bit of frightening news.
According to a tweet posted just moments ago, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The actress, best known for her acclaimed work on Seinfeld and Veep, revealed the news to her followers with a plea for a greater understanding of the disease and improvements in treatment and research:
“1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one,” Dreyfus wrote.
“The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union,” the 56-year-old actress continued.
“The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.”
Earlier this month, Dreyfus won her sixth Emmy, breaking the record for most wins for a single role.
She and husband Brad Hall have two sons together.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dreyfus received the news of her diagnosis just one day after her historic victory at the 2017 Emmys.
In a statement issued to the outlet by HBO, network execs say they have every intention of going forward with their plan to have Dreyfus’ acclaimed comedy back for a final season.
Sources say Veep producers will adjust their shooting schedule as needed to accommodate Dreyfus’ treatment.
“Our love and support go out to Julia and her family at this time,” reads the statement.
“We have every confidence she will get through this with her usual tenacity and undaunted spirit, and look forward to her return to health and to HBO for the final season of Veep.”
Twitter was flooded with messages of support for Dreyfus within minutes of her announcement.
Many applauded the actress for taking a moment to address the need for universal health care while in the midst of what may be the most frightening ordeal of her life.
It’s a testament to the courage and compassion that Dreyfus’ co-stars and loved ones say is even more laudable than her impressive body of work.
Our thoughts go out to Julia and her family as they gear up for the fight of a lifetime.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Tamra Judge Reveals Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Tamra Judge has been diagnosed with skin cancer.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star made this unfortunate admission via an Instagram post and photo on Sunday afternoon.
Sharing a selfie that depicted her in Daisy Dukes, the Bravo star – who turns 50 years old on September 2 – gave followers a look at a small mole on the side of her rear end.
“I work out hard for this Booty,” Judge wrote as a caption, adding in further detail:
“I was planning on competing again in November at 50 years old, but I’m not sure that’s happening now. it looks like God has a different plan for me.”
The reality star had been in the news this month because her daughter, Sidney, has torn her apart pretty hard in public.
Saying their relationship was “toxic,” the recent high school graduate wrote on Facebook that she lived with her mother after their parents divorced, but…
“The reasons I left my mothers house are that she was neglectful (leaving us at home with no food or simply ignoring us entirely), she constantly put herself first and the biggest reason was that she was mentally and emotionally abusive.”
Yikes.
In response to this allegation, the veteran TV personality said:
“I love my daughter and I would NEVER abuse, hurt or neglect her in any way.”
It will be interesting to see whether Tamra’s cancer diagnosis mends the powerful wound that clearly exists between mother and daughter.
“Im showing you this picture because this is what melanoma looks like,” the fitness competitor added on Instagram over the weekend.
“I don’t want sympathy, I want you to save YOUR ass and get your skin checked. This was just a small black flat freckle….
“I had no idea! Ill be fine because my faith is strong and my Ass ain’t bad either.”
No type of cancer is harmless.
But, if picked up early by doctors, skin cancer is typically curable.
“Going to be honest I’ve been a little sad, worried and pissed off,” Judge concluded.
“But we caught it early and that makes me happy. Happy birthday to me. #saveyourass birthday party in Cabo not sounding like a good idea now.”
The reality star renewed her wedding vows with husband Eddie at the Ritz-Carlton in Aruba on August 9.
While her relationship with Sidney is a mess, her marriage is going very well.
“Celebrating love with all the hate that’s going on,” Judge wrote at the time of the renweal.
“May God bless your life because it’s not always easy. But God has a plan.. a big plan. I wanna say thank you to @shannonbeador @oclydia @rhoc_kellyddodd (you know what you did and you all rock) #arubaido.”
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Ronnie Wood: Rolling Stones Guitarist Reveals Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Here’s a sad story for music fans …
Ronnie Wood, guitarist for the Rolling Stones for over 40 years now, has just revealed that earlier this year, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
And he’s sharing intimate, heartbreaking details about his journey in a new interview with Daily Mail’s Event magazine.
“Did I think I’d ever make it to see this?” he began. “Hell no! Someone up there must like me. And luckily someone down here likes me too.”
Honestly, it is kind of shocking that he’s still around making music — with all the booze, drugs, and smoking, he hasn’t exactly been kind to his body in his 70 years.
But thankfully, he’s been sober for a while now, and he quit smoking last year when his wife gave birth to twins, two little girls they named Gracie and Alice.
Still, Ronnie said “I had this thought at the back of my mind after I gave up smoking a year ago: ‘How can I have got through 50 years of chain-smoking — and all the rest of my bad habits — without something going on in there?"”
As he found out a few months ago though, there was something going on in there.
“I’ve had a fight with a touch of lung cancer,” he revealed.
“There was a week when everything hung in the balance and it could have been curtains — time to say goodbye. You never know what’s going to happen.”
He said that he found out about the cancer back in May, when he got a check-up ahead of this fall’s Rolling Stones tour.
As he explained, all the band members are required to have physicals before any touring can happen, and when he got his, the doctor “asked me if I wanted him to go deeper and check my heart, lungs and blood.”
“I said, ‘Go for it."”
“And then,” he said, “he came back with the news that I had this supernova burning away on my left lung. And to be totally honest, I wasn’t surprised.”
He hadn’t had a chest x-ray since he went to rehab in 2002, and with how much he smoked, and considering he only quit last year, it makes sense.
The doctor asked Ronnie what he wanted him to do, “and my answer was simple: ‘Just get it out of me."”
After the discovery of the tumor, he underwent more tests to see if the cancer had spread, and “if that had happened, it would have been all over for me.”
“I was prepared for bad news but I also had faith it would be OK,” he said.
He and his wife didn’t tell anyone at all about what was going on, “because we didn’t want to put anyone else through the hell we were going through.”
“But,” he added, “I made up my mind that if it had spread I wasn’t going to through chemo, I wasn’t going to use that bayonet in my body.”
Not for any deep reasons though — he said that he planned on refusing chemo because “I wasn’t going to lose my hair. This hair wasn’t going anywhere.”
Luckily he didn’t have to make that decision for real, because the cancer hadn’t spread, and he and his doctors made a plan to remove the tumor as soon as possible.
“Just before I closed my eyes for the operation I looked at the doctor and said, ‘Let battle commence,” he recalled.
Now, three months later, Ronnie says that he’s “OK,” but he still has to have checkups every few months.
“I was bloody lucky,” he admitted, “but then I’ve always had a very strong guardian angel looking out for me. By rights I shouldn’t be here.”
And it’s a good thing, too — he’s got two little babies to care for, and three adult children, too.
Best wishes, Ronnie!
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