In a social media post Wednesday afternoon, Kathy Griffin gave friends and supporters a frank, but optimistic account of how she’s doing after her lung cancer surgery on Monday.
Admitting that the procedure was “a little more than I had anticipated,” Griffin opened up about her determination to get through her recovery without risking a relapse in her prescription pill addiction, as it’s been one year since she attempted suicide and then entered treatment. But, she said, “I fear drugs and addiction more than I fear cancer. So I think I’ll be OK.”
“To be honest, this cancer surgery was a little more than I had anticipated. Tonight will be my first night without any narcotic painkillers. Hello Tylenol, my new best friend! The last time I was in a hospital was in June 2020 when I tried to take my life and overdosed on prescription pills,” Griffin wrote.
“With over a year clean and drug free, I now know I can do this and anything I want without those devil pills. I fear drugs and addiction more than I fear cancer. So I think I’ll be OK.”
Griffin shared the news of her Stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis and impending surgery on Twitter, revealing she got her diagnosis just two weeks prior. She said had never previously smoked and was optimistic about her prognosis. “The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung,” she wrote. “Hopefully no chemo or radiation after this and I should have normal function with my breathing. I should be up and running around as usual in a month or less.”
Following her latest update, friends and peers of the comedian expressed support and well wishes. See Griffin’s original statement, and some of the responses, below.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information and local resources.
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