Actor Dave Coulier has revealed he has a “very aggressive” form of Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 65-year-old, who is best known for appearing in the ‘90s sitcom Full House, shared the devastating news during an appearance on The Today Show on Wednesday.
He explained that he initially came down with a “head cold,” before finding a golf ball-sized swelling in his groin and getting himself checked out.
“Five weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” he told presenter Hoda Kotb of the “gut punch” news.
“In that time, I’ve had three surgeries, I’ve had chemo, I’ve lost a little bit of hair. I look like a little baby bird now.”
“It has been a rollercoaster ride, for sure,” Coulier added.
“I went from, ‘I’ve got a little bit of a head cold,’ to, ‘I have cancer,’ and it was pretty overwhelming. This has been a really fast rollercoaster ride of a journey.
‘It’s a very aggressive type of lymphoma. It happened very quickly, the onset of this growing lymphoma in my groin area was very quick.”
The TV star recalled: “I said, ‘Something is not right, I have a golf ball down here.’ We biopsied it, we took it out, and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you but you have B-Cell lymphoma. We need to get you into chemotherapy right away.’”
Coulier has had the first of six chemotherapy treatments. His second round will begin later this week.
The stand-up comedian said his condition is “very treatable” and has “90 per cent curability”.
He added that his treatment should be completed by February 2025 and he hopes to be in “total remission by that time”.
Coulier praised his “incredible” wife of ten years, wellness expert Melissa, for supporting him throughout the diagnosis.
“My fridge at home is all colour coded,” he explained. “I even have one of those old man plastic pill cases. She has been there every step of the way, she has been incredible.”
He said he is maintaining a positive “glass half-full” outlook for Melissa and his son Luc, who is about to become a father.
Coulier demonstrated his sense of humour about the situation in an interview with People.
“My joke is that in four short weeks I’ve gone from a Virgo to a Cancer,” he told the outlet. ”I’ve tried to retain a sense of reality but also a sense of humour about it.
“When I first got the news, I was stunned, of course, because I didn’t expect it, and then reality settled in, and I found myself remarkably calm with whatever the outcome was going to be.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs when white blood cells grow abnormally and can form growths throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Coulier shot to fame in 1987 when he was cast as Joey Gladstone in Full House alongside Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
He reprised the role in revival show, Fuller House, in 2016
