Jenna Fischer On Not Having A “Big Shave-Your-Head Moment” Amid Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Support From Christina Applegate & Angela Kinsey
Jenna Fischer recently opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis and is now reflecting on her journey.
In a new interview, Fischer opened up about her support system during the challenging time and about not having a “big shave-your-head moment.”
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“When they told me I had to have chemo, the first thing I thought was, ‘I don’t want to throw up, and I don’t want to lose my hair,'” The Office alum told Hoda Kotb in an interview for the Today show. “I did not throw up, but I did lose my hair.”
She continued, “And it’s all us ladies talk about. How much Googling did I do of hair and pictures of hair and, ‘What will it look like?’ It’s funny. The way that I lost it, it doesn’t come out evenly. It comes out in fits and starts. And so I started by having just like a big, bald patch down this side of my head. And I would kind of do like a real elaborate comb-over.”
Fischer noted she “never had a big shave-your-head moment,” adding, “I always had a little hair in the back. And since I was trying to stay undercover, those little bits of flyaways, they sort of helped with the illusion of hair. I kind of [looked] like Friar Tuck, nothing on top and then just a little something over here.”
The actress said that Christina Applegate was one of the first people she called after her diagnosis.
“I called her, and she answered the phone, and she said, ‘Which one is it?’ And I said, ‘It’s breast cancer.’ And she said, ‘I effing knew it.’” Fischer said. “She’s salty. Salty language that one. I love her for it.”
Fischer also noted what a big support her Office Ladies podcast co-host Angela Kinsey has been.
“From the beginning she said, ‘Whatever you need, You tell me, I’m here,’ and I said, ‘I want to keep working and I don’t want anyone to know at work.’ At work, I want that to be a space where we go and we laugh and I’m not a cancer patient. I need that.’ And she said, ‘OK,’” Fischer said.
Fischer revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post on October 8, revealing she was now cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
“October is breast cancer awareness month. I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are,” Fischer shared in a post on Instagram. “Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free.”
Later in the post, Fischer said, “I’m happy to say that I was recently re-screened, and the treatments worked. I am cancer free. I will continue to be treated and monitored to help my stay that way.”
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