Embracing Her Post-Cancer Body
- Comedian Kathy Griffin, 61, has been giving the outside world glimpses of her daily ups and downs since beating lung cancer late last year.
- Griffin’s latest video post showed off a pleasant play date with a friend, outside in the Southern California sun, as she stripped down to her bra and underwear for a “mini bikini contest,” proudly displaying that she is still quite fit after cancer.
- After cancer, many survivors face issues with body positivity. Treatment can often take a toll and a lot of times, you aren’t as active as you were able to be before the diagnosis. Just remember to not be so hard on yourself. Your body is strong and it’s been through a lot!
Sharing her healing journey with followers, the Grammy-winning comedian, 61, has been giving the outside world glimpses of her daily ups and downs since beating lung cancer late last year. Even on down days however, her humor shines through. Her latest post showed off a pleasant play date with a friend, outside in the Southern California sun.
Read MoreGet it, Kathy! Although we hope the fair-skinned star is wearing sunscreen.
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Although Griffin’s friend didn’t wind up partaking in the one-woman show, this is not the first time the body confident star challenged someone to a bikini contest. Griffin boldly challenged gorgeous film star Kate Beckingsale, xx, back in 2018.
“Last night, I hosted gay game night at my home. I love @KateBeckinsale, but she's never had any real competition in the beauty department. I decided to challenge her to a bikini contest. Let me tell you…she still doesn't know what hit her. Sorry Kate,” Griffin captioned the fun video of the ladies prancing around for party guests in their two-piece bathing suits with matching high-heeled black boots.
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The bestselling author looked just as fit as the Underworld star, and should absolutely be proud to strut her stuff.
Body Positivity and Cancer
After cancer, many survivors face issues with body positivity. Treatment can often take a toll and a lot of times, you aren’t as active as you were able to be before the diagnosis. More down days in bed resting and challenges like depression can also affect your body. Sometimes breast cancer patients don’t have as much control over weight loss due to hormone therapy, or a surgery has forced you to take more time off than you would like.
SurvivorNetTV Presents 'SN & You Body Image: Embracing Your Body'
No matter what the challenge, it’s important to try to stay confident at any size. Bodies change, as they do during and after pregnancy, so try not to be too hard on yourself, as your system has been through a lot! Focus on things that you can be proud of, like surviving cancer, or still being here to take your kids to the park and enjoy dinners with family and friends.
Healing from Lung Cancer
Kathy Griffin, a non-smoker, was diagnosed last August with stage one lung cancer, and had surgery immediately after to have half of her lung removed. Although she has obviously had some setbacks since, the survivor, overall, has been progressing. It is not something that happens overnight. Just this past week, the bestselling author underwent a procedure where a syringe of fillers was placed down her throat to try to “plump up” one of her vocal chords, as she described in an earlier video update, so that it touches the other. Griffin’s voice has been a bit fragile since surgery, but she’s been improving each and every day.
When healing from lung cancer, it's important to keep close contact with the members of your care team to let them know about the severity of your pain and discomfort, as well as any anxiety and stress that you may feel.
Related: Quitting Smoking Can Help the Success of Your Lung Cancer Surgery
"It's critical after surgery that you do keep active and keep your body in the best possible condition," says Melissa Culligan, a thoracic surgery nurse at the University of Maryland Medical Center
Side Effects: Managing Pain and Discomfort after Lung Cancer Surgery
While Griffin appears to be listening to her body with these recent symptoms, she has also been somewhat back to her active self on “good health days,” attending red carpet premieres and concerts. Keeping active and overdoing it are two different things. It's all about balance.
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