Kathy Griffin is recovering from surgery after revealing Monday she was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“Surgery went well and as planned. She’s in recovery now and resting,” Griffin’s representative Alex Spieller told USA TODAY Monday. The comedian, 60, took to social media to share the news earlier in the day, adding that she has never smoked.
“I’ve got to tell you guys something. I have cancer. I’m about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed,” Griffin wrote. “Yes, I have lung cancer even though I’ve never smoked!”
She added that her cancer, which is “contained to my left lung,” is in Stage 1 and her doctors are “very optimistic.”
“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. It’s been a helluva 4 years, trying to get back to work, making you guys laugh and entertaining you, but I’m gonna be just fine.”
USA TODAY reached out to Griffin’s reps for comment.
In her tweet, the Emmy Award-winner noted that her condition could have been more serious had she not been “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19.
“Of course I am fully vaccinated for Covid. The consequences for being unvaccinated would have been even more serious,” she added. “Please stay up to date on your medical check ups. It’ll save your life.”
Celebrities shared their support for Griffin in the comments.
“Love you so much!!! I’m here if you need anything. Don’t hesitate,” TV personality Ross Mathews commented.
“Sending you lots of love Kathy,” wrote fellow comedian and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” star Caroline Rhea.
Griffin said she was “definitely in shock” by the news in a clip from an upcoming “Nightline” interview airing Monday night.
“I’m still a little bit in shock. Not denial, but once a day I’ll turn to nobody next to me and go, ‘Can you believe this (expletive)?’ ” she says in the clip.
In July 2017, Griffin shaved her head in honor of her sister Joyce, who was battling cancer. Griffin later announced that her sister died that September.
“My sister Joyce passed away peacefully last night. Check out this beautiful moment,” she wrote alongside a video of her sister in the hospital, sharing while also providing a link to the American Cancer Society.
that explains, a little, it must have affected Her Pea Brain.
Now, now… we must be tolerant of “ugly, red-head, pea-brained, anorexic, liberal activists masquerading as comedians. That would be wrong!
Father God we pray that Ms Griffin is healed and restored as testimony to Your great power and compassion in Jesus.
I hope that everything she wished on President Trump comes back to her 100-fold.