"1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today I'm the one," the actor announced it on Twitter.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is known for her roles in shows like Watching Ellie and Veep. But what is even more amazing is her positive attitude to fight against cancer and becoming an advocate for breast cancer awareness, despite it being a terrifying experience.
In 2017, a day before the actor won her sixth Emmy award for Veep, Louis-Dreyfus visited a radiologist after finding a lump in her breast, who then conducted a biopsy. Unfortunately, Louis-Dreyfus was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
Just when you thought... pic.twitter.com/SbtYChwiEj
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 28, 2017
She announced it on Twitter and wrote, "1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today I'm the one." The actor added that she has the "most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union." She 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." Louis-Dreyfus was flooded with messages of support from her fans and celebrities.
When asked if she felt fear or self-pity during her illness, the actor said, "Don’t misunderstand: I was to-my-bones terrified. But I didn’t let myself—except for a couple of moments—go to a really dark place. I didn’t allow it,” according to New Yorker.
Moreover, Louis-Dreyfus had debilitating nausea and diarrhea and she had excruciating neuropathy in her hands and feet. She got sores all over her face and on the inside of her mouth. "What we went through last year was horrific,” her mother said. “Her strength, just now, is coming back. It takes about a year.”
After beating cancer, the actor told Jimmy Kimmel Live!, "I feel really good. I’m not just saying that. I’m good, I’m here." She added that she felt strong and that she is "back at work" on Veep.
The very strong & funny Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about beating cancer... @OfficialJLD pic.twitter.com/USKPRPGL89
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) October 19, 2018
While she was going through the treatment, the Veep production was stalled. “A lot of people worked for me and I knew I couldn’t really keep it private because I had to tell everyone what was going on. And then I sort of embraced that. I got a lot of positive feedback. I think people liked the fact that I had a sense of humor about it and also, I think it’s an important conversation to have about health and healthcare.”
She went on to talk about health insurance.“I very much considered the notion that as someone battling this disease, the idea that I might not have health insurance — which I do, thanks to my great union — is completely terrifying. Healthcare should be for all. I believed that before, now I really know it,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Once the actor returned to sets for filming Veep, she saw it as a "strong reminder of this light that was there at the end of this crazy dark tunnel."
"It was a tonic to know that was waiting on the other side. And it was such a wonderful way to make a living. Don't tell HBO this, but they wouldn't have even had to pay me to do this – I would have done this for free. I just loved every second of it. So in many ways, it was a lifesaver," as told to USA Today.
Louis-Dreyfus became an advocate for breast cancer awareness. She partnered with Saks company in 2018 for their breast cancer campaign and raised funds for Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery Foundation.
References:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/12/17/julia-louis-dreyfus-acts-out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksd5yHl_IEU
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Jon Kopaloff
