Olivia Newton-John has opened up about her experience with stage four breast cancer, recent tabloid rumours and turning 70.
Australian actress and singer Olivia Newton-John says that she didn’t mind having to cancel any grand plans for her 70th birthday in September so to she could receive treatment for a fractured pelvis, a side-effect of her battle with stage four breast cancer. She told People magazine that it helped that she was receiving care at Melbourne’s Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.
“I never say ‘Why me?’ I was like, ‘Wow, I’m in my hospital that I’d dreamt of building for people to have rest and peace and there I was getting the best care.’ It was quite magical,” she told the publication.
In a new interview with Australia’s Sunday Night in September, Newton-John confirmed that she’s battling cancer for the third time, opening up for the first time about a 2013 bout with the disease – her second – that she previously decided to keep to herself.
The Grease star is currently in the midst of treatment for the aggressive form of the disease that doctors say is incurable, but can be managed through treatment.
Earlier this year rumours of her imminent death swept the internet, rumours she says were “ridiculous”. “Those things are so stupid. Why not just go, ‘Here I am, and I’m fine!” she told the magazine of why she immediately uploaded a denial message to social media. “We just nipped it in the bud.” She says that she simply spent the past six months quietly recovering from a pelvic fracture.
“My friends were calling and believing this stuff,” she said to People. “I had to say, “You really think if it was that bad you wouldn’t know?”
Newton-John also revealed that she is now back home being supported by husband John Easterling and daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
“I started on a walker, then a cane and now nothing…
“I’m feeling good, just getting stronger. [My doctor] was very happy with [my progress].”
The author of Don’t Stop Believin’ says that she is keeping up with holistic treatments that include herbs and medicinal cannabis, and taking oral cancer medication prescribed by her oncologist.
“Of course I had my moments, and my tears and all that. But I have a wonderful husband who supports me through those things,” she told People.
