Actress Battling Cancer Recreates Famous Movie, TV Show Scenes During Chemo

Karen Walsh, who has appeared on “Law and Order” and “Boardwalk Empire,” stages photo shoots while at the hospital for treatments

Karen Walsh
@kwrandthebigwin/Instagram

Karen Walsh has found a way to make the best out of undergoing chemotherapy — by starring in some of the most popular movies and TV shows ever.

Walsh, who was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, has been receiving chemotherapy treatment every week for the 11 inoperable tumors in her liver and lymph nodes, according to Cosmopolitan. She first started sharing photos to her Instagram account as a way to update distant family and friends on how her treatments were going, but one of her friends — a director — suggested that she start staging her photos.

“It’s a little silly, but it’s fun!” Walsh said in an interview with Cosmopolitan. “I suppose I’m comfortable with it because I’m an actress, but really anyone can do it. I just enjoy the distraction.”

Iconic moments from the big and small screens that have been immortalized inside the cancer ward including Tom Hanks sat at a bus stop with a box of chocolates from “Forrest Gump,” a battle scene from “Game of Thrones” and a Saturday detention for “The Breakfast Club.”

Each time Walsh goes to the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell hospital for treatment, she brings in props, costumes and friends to help pose for the photo-ops.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHQGcU4DEgX/?taken-by=kwrandthebigwin

Actress Kate Finneran, who played Belle Rayburn on “Bloodline,” went all out as Drogo to join Walsh’s Daenerys for this “Game of Thrones” photo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEhz7UGJS2O/?taken-by=kwrandthebigwin

Walsh even created a montage of scenes from “Forrest Gump” complete with her own box of chocolates, Jenny, Lieutenant Dan, and Mama.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFFQeTGpSx1/?taken-by=kwrandthebigwin

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCLhvcqpS7G/?taken-by=kwrandthebigwin

Though Walsh said she personally has never dreamed of playing these roles, she has enjoyed embodying each character.

“Some face adversity or just want some chocolate, but all with determination and focus,” she said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBn0sL8pS_Y/?taken-by=kwrandthebigwin

Walsh is set to work on a Broadway show in September and will soon be seen in the 2017 film “Rebel in the Rye,” which details the life of author J.D. Salinger.

Check out more of Walsh’s photos here.

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