FULL HOUSE star Dave Coulier has revealed that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 3 cancer in October after he had an infection.
The 65-year-old, who played the role of Joey Gladstone in the sitcom, has shared how his diagnosis came after he endured an upper respiratory infection which caused major swelling in his lymph nodes, leading to the discovery.
While battling the infection, swelling increased rapidly, with one area growing to the size of a golf ball.
Speaking to People Magazine, Dave shared how when the swelling became worse, his doctor advised a PET and CT scan, as well as a biopsy, which in turn led to his diagnosis.
The Joey Gladstone actor then went on to recall the moment he found out about his diagnosis.
Speaking to the outlet, Dave shared how the doctor had called him and said that they wish they had better news for him before sharing the diagnosis.
The doctor shared how after the tests they discovered that Dave had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with them added, “it’s called B cell and it’s very aggressive”.
According to Mayo Clinic, “Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in your lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system.
“In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body.”
They also note that cutaneous B-cell lymphoma “is a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells”.
Dave added, “I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming.”
But he did add how although when he first got the news he was “stunned” and “didn’t expect it”, reality soon settled in and he found himself “remarkably calm with whatever the outcome was going to be”.
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He also noted how it has been a “really fast roller coaster ride of a journey”.
DAVE’S APPROACH TO TREATMENT
The actor immediately started chemotherapy, with him beginning treatment just two weeks into his diagnosis.
He then shaved his head as a “preemptive strike”.
The Full House star has already undergone the first of six chemo treatments.
Full House Cast
The popular ABC sitcom ran from 1987-1995
- Bob Saget as Danny Tanner
- John Stamos as Jesse Katsopolis
- Dave Coulier as Joey Gladstone
- Candace Cameron Bure as D.J. Tanner
- Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner
- Mary-Kate/Ashley Olsen as Michelle Tanner
- Andrea Barber as Kimmy Gibbler
- Lori Loughlin as Rebecca Katsopolis
- Scott Weinger as Steve Hale
- Marla Sokoloff as Gia Mahan
- Anne Marie McEvoy as Kathy Santoni
- Blake Tuomy-Wilhoit/Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit as Nicky and Alex Katsopolis
- Gail Edwards as Vicky Larson
- Blake McIver Ewing as Derek S. Boyd
- Jason Marsden as Nelson Burkhard
He also provided a glimpse into how he is doing and how he is coping with life day-to-day.
“I have my good days. I have my bad days,” he told People in his candid chat, noting how some days he feels nauseous and dizzy, and others the steroids kick in, “and I feel like I have a ton of energy”.
GLOWING CAREER
Although Dave is best known for his role in Full House, the actor and comedian started his career long before his stint in the 1987 hit show.
Dave started his comedic career when he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19, with his early days on the comedy scene spent performing at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
He was then cast for Saturday Night Live’s 1986 season, but before the season began he the show’s management decided that he was too similar to another cast member, Dana Carvey.
As well as his comedy work and stint on Full House, Dave has done countless pieces of voice over work for shows including Scooby and Scrappy-Doo, The Real Ghostbusters, and many more.
Dave is married to Melissa Bring, whom he got hitched to in 2014.
Before his marriage to Melissa, Dave was married to Jayne Modean in the early nineties, with the couple welcoming a son, Luc.
He then dated Alanis Morrisette for two years.
