In the summer of 2021, the "Dead To Me" actor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Christina Applegate is speaking up about the early physical problems that led to her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Applegate, 50, stated in an interview with The New York Times published on Nov. 1 that she first observed changes in her body some years ago while filming the first season of the Netflix dark comedy "Dead To Me". Applegate recalls feeling off-kilter while recording a dance routine for the show. She eventually saw that her tennis skill was lacking, but she convinced herself that she just needed to train more. “I wish I had paid attention,” said Applegate. “But who was I to know?” According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Emmy winner began to experience numbness and tingling in her extremities over time, which are symptoms of the neurological condition, which disrupts communication between the brain and the body, causing numbness, tingling, mood changes, pain, paralysis, and other symptoms.
Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS. It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) August 10, 2021
“There was the sense of, ‘Well, let’s get her some medicine so she can get better,’” Applegate said. “And there is no better. But it was good for me. I needed to process my loss of my life, my loss of that part of me. So I needed that time.” The performer also noted that after that time, it wasn’t like she “came on the other side of it, like, ‘Woohoo, I’m totally fine.’ Acceptance? No. I’m never going to accept this. I’m pissed.”Applegate describes the last season of "Dead To Me," which starts Nov. 17, as the most difficult thing she's ever done. She revealed how she initially had balance and mobility concerns during shooting on the first season of "Dead to Me," which premiered in May 2019. She praises her co-star and close friend Linda Cardellini for her support on the set of the show. "She was my champion, my warrior, my voice,” Applegate said of Cardellini, adding, “It was like having a mama bear." Applegate describes the last season of "Dead To Me," which starts Nov. 17, as the most difficult thing she's ever done. She praises her co-star and close friend Linda Cardellini for her support on the set of the show. Applegate recently tweeted a photo of the canes she currently uses to walk. "Walking sticks are now part of my new normal," she said, sharing a a photo of the five walking sticks she'll be choosing from.
I have a very important ceremony coming up. This will be my first time out since diagnosed with MS. Walking sticks are now part of my new normal. Thank you @neowalksticks for these beauties. Stay tuned to see which ones make the cut for a week of stuff. pic.twitter.com/O543p1G4vS
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) October 27, 2022
In light of her health news, Netflix contemplated canceling the program indefinitely during the production hiatus. However, Applegate felt she "had an obligation" to both "Dead to Me" author Liz Feldman and her friend and costar Linda Cardellini, as well as the tale. Attending a public event is a moment of celebration for the Emmy-winning actor, who has struggled with health issues in the past. She revealed her MS diagnosis in August 2021. She had her ovary and fallopian tubes removed in 2017 as a prophylactic precaution due to a family history of ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and underwent a double mastectomy. Applegate turned 50 in November and said that life with MS is "hard," so she encouraged those who were struggling. In a recent interview with TODAY, Applegate revealed how she removed her ovaries, fallopian tubes removed. "Two weeks ago, I had my ovaries and [fallopian] tubes removed. My cousin passed away from ovarian cancer in 2008. I could prevent that. That’s how I’ve taken control of everything. It’s a relief. That’s one other thing off the table. Now, let’s hope I don’t get hit by a bus."
Further in the interview, Applegate also felt the urge to spread the word about her diagnosis. "If you’re BRCA positive, it’s highly possible you’ll develop cancer in your lifetime. The first thing is to be really diligent about what you’re putting into your body, as far as what kind of food you’re eating. Organic is expensive. I get that. I don’t want to alienate anyone who can’t pay for that. But maybe skip your morning latte and get organic vegetables for the week. Try to stay away from the foods that are filled with chemicals. Be a little more diligent and carve out as much of the bad stuff that you can. The other big killer is stress. That’s a hard thing to say to people especially right now. We’re living in a bizarre time. We’re bombarded by what’s going on in our world. Breathe deeper. That’s a big one for me. I used to be a stressed out person. I’m not anymore. I try to find the lining in everything in life." In addition to completing the last season, Applegate felt it was essential to promote "Dead to Me" ahead of the Season 3 launch on Netflix on November 17. “This is the first time anyone’s going to see me the way I am,” she said. “I put on 40 pounds; I can’t walk without a cane. I want people to know that I am very aware of all of that.” “If people hate it, if people love it, if all they can concentrate on is, ‘Ooh, look at the cripple,’ that’s not up to me,” she said. “I’m sure that people are going to be, like, ‘I can’t get past it.’”
“Fine, don’t get past it, then,” she added. “But hopefully people can get past it and just enjoy the ride and say goodbye to these two girls.”
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/arts/television/christina-applegate-dead-to-me.html
https://www.today.com/health/brca-test-breast-cancer-risk-what-you-should-know-t104518
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
https://www.netflix.com/in/title/80219707
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Emma McIntyre
