Resilience Through Setbacks
- Kathy Griffin, 63, who has been in the middle of a comedy tour in full comeback mode after conquering lung cancer and numerous other life challenges, has announced an unfortunate setback as she undergoes a follow-up surgery for a “permanently paralyzed” left vocal cord.
- Despite the health hiccup, Griffin is trying to remain upbeat, announcing to fans that her healing time should only be for two weeks after the procedure. Seeing how Griffin has continued to persevere after each challenge, we have no doubt she will be back on stage and reveling in her glory again in no time.
- Despite impediments that may limit your livelihood post-cancer, it’s important to keep moving, within reason of course, as you focus on healing. Seeing how Griffin has continued to persevere after each challenge, we have no doubt she will be back on stage and reveling in her glory again in no time.
“Just hopping on here to say that I’m having surgery tomorrow, bright and early, and I’m getting an implant in my left vocal cord, which was left permanently paralyzed during my lung cancer surgery,” a raspy-sounding Griffin announced on her social media pages on Tuesday, letting newcomers know that she initially had half of her left lung removed following her 2021 diagnosis.
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“And no talking for two weeks!!! 😬😬😬,” Griffin captioned the Instagram video, expressing in the clip that this will surely “drive me crazy.”
Despite the health hiccup, Griffin is trying to remain upbeat, announcing to fans that her healing time should only be for two weeks after the procedure. “Anyways, that’s the update, I’m always trying to make my voice … better.”
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Her loyal fans and celebrity pals, per usual, were quick to jump in with words of support.
“Saying a meditation for you,” wrote actress Sharon Stone, while pop icon Debbie Gibson shared, “Sending love ❤️ You’ll be in my thoughts tomorrow ! Heal well xo 😘.”
Supporters also weighed in on the challenge of not being able to talk.
“It’s going to be wild not being able to speak for two weeks,” a third follower commented. “Some kinda mental experiment; you should make a journal of it! Anyway, obviously, you’ve got this.”
Just last week, Griffin alluded to how happy she is after going through such hard times.
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“So #grateful, it’s ridiculous,” the Grammy winner wrote alongside an image of herself laying on a chaise, basking in the Southern California sunshine and smiling in a yellow summer dress.
Griffin has come a long way. Initially, the sassy star feared she wouldn’t be able to get back on stage doing what she loves most: telling jokes and entertaining her fans.
Kathy’s Lung Cancer Journey
Kathy Griffin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and has been highly public about her diagnosis and cancer journey since, inspiring many with her courage and vulnerability, along with her sassiness of course.
Despite being a non-smoker, Griffin was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer, and raised awareness about the misconception that only smokers can get lung cancer.
At stage 1, this early-stage diagnosis indicates that the cancer hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
As Griffin noted in her video, half of her left lung was removed during her first major surgery. Due to the use of a breathing tube during the surgery, it impacted her voice, leaving her suffering multiple setbacks with her vocal cords along the way.
Early-Stage Lung Cancer Surgery
There are several types of surgery that can remove lung cancer, including segmentectomy (removal of a small segment of the lung), lobectomy (removal of a lobe of the lung) or pneumonectomy (removal of the entire lung). The decision is largely based on the size of the tumor and where in your lung it is located.
In Diagnosing Lung Cancer, The Symptoms Often Come Late
Before surgery, your oncologist must make sure you are in otherwise good health. This involves a thorough preoperative physical examination. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, and it is also linked to heart and other arterial diseases, which means that you need an all-clear to be considered a surgical candidate for stage one lung cancer.
Healing from Lung Cancer
For those who are fortunate enough to be able to have surgery, like Griffin, managing pain after the operation can be difficult once you get home.
SurvivorNet previously spoke with Melissa Culligan, Director of Clinical Research – Division of Thoracic Surgery at University of Maryland Medical Center, who has been taking care of lung cancer patients for 30 years. Culligan expressed how crucial it is to stay in touch with your medical team.
“It’s important that you stay connected and as things change that maybe don’t feel right, that you connect with your care team and make sure that either they do something to make you feel better or that they reassure you that this is to be expected,” she said, “because your pain will change in location and nature,” Culligan added.
Managing discomfort after lung cancer surgery
As you become more active, Culligan says your pain “may increase a little bit,” as it did for Griffin, who would have days out at lunch and events feeling great, but then be stuck in bed shortly after.
Handling Setbacks After Cancer Treatment
Despite the setbacks, it’s important to keep moving, within reason of course. And while medication is usually necessary including certain meds to cope with stress, it’s best to only use them on an as-needed basis.
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“Medications aren’t always the answer,” Culligan noted, and therefore encourages patients “to go out and go to the movies and go to the mall and maintain their life as best they can while they’re going through treatment and recovering from it,” she advised, making sure to highlight that part of their job is helping patients learn how to cope with stress.
WATCH: Managing your mental health amid a health challenge
“It’s critical after surgery and after any treatment that you do keep active and keep your body in the best possible condition along the way.”
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