Jim Gaffigan, one of the most popular comedians in the country, often talks about being a dad of five children in his stand-up routines. Lesser known to fans is that his wife and producing partner, Jeannie, was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor in 2017.
Jeannie, 49, just shared a new video post on what got her through her journey.
Read MoreJeanine Gaffigan’s Cancer Journey
Jeannie’s brain tumor, which was eventually determined to be benign, was discovered after her children’s doctor referred her to a specialist: “Our pediatrician was the first person to encourage Jeannie to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist…to figure out why she had lost hearing in one of her ears,” Jim told Thrive Global in an interview.
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Fun at @gothamawards with @jeanniegaffigan. Thanks @ifpfilm & @derrickborte
“Eventually, what we thought was a routine MRI unearthed a massive tumor pressing against her brain stem,” he explains.
Fortunately, the surgery, which came with a hefty dose of risk, was successful.
In her book, “When Life Gives Your Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People,” she writes, “It’s an absolute miracle that I dodged this bullet.”
And, she notes, “We never know what that next phone call is going to bring. We need to appreciate every minute.”
Humor and Cancer
SurvivorNet has many community members who say humor helped them through their journeys. Jenny Saldana, a standup-comedian, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34, talks with SurvivorNet about writing a “dramedy” about her experience.
Jenny Saldana found humor in her cancer journey
“There are a lot funny moments in it," Jenny says. "But it's about the struggle of finding your new normal when you go through something like this."
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