Dave Coulier, an actor and comedian who gained fame portraying Uncle Joey in the beloved series "Full House," has bravely disclosed his battle with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. In an emotional interview on "Today" on Wednesday, Coulier unveiled his health struggle. Sharing his story with co-anchor Hoda Kotb, he revealed that he had received the diagnosis just five weeks prior.
"During that period, I've undergone three surgeries, received chemotherapy, and, yes, I've lost a bit of hair," he said, gently tapping his head. "Right now, I might resemble a fledgling bird, but this journey has been a wild ride, indeed."
Coulier elaborated on his specific diagnosis, "B cell lymphoma," describing it as "aggressive" in nature. He recounted the swift onset of symptoms, "It all started when I felt this golf ball-sized lump in my groin. I knew instantly that something wasn't right." After a biopsy and surgery, he was informed by doctors, "We wish we could give you better news, but you have B cell lymphoma. You need to start chemotherapy immediately."
According to the American Cancer Society, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) stands as one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States, accounting for nearly 4% of all cancer cases.
Coulier shared that he was alone at home when he first received the devastating news. When he informed his wife, Melissa, of the cancer diagnosis, she initially mistakenly believed he was jesting. The next hurdle was determining the stage of the cancer. Fortunately, bone marrow tests revealed that the lymphoma hadn't spread. "At that point, the cure rate soared to over 90%, indicating a high level of treatability," he expressed with a glimmer of hope.
After recovering from a common cold, Coulier noticed a rapid increase in the swelling in his groin within just five days. Although his blood tests appeared normal, scans identified "hot spots" in his neck and groin.
The actor revealed that he has already undergone one round of chemotherapy and is preparing for another this week. In a moment of levity, he joked about cutting his hair preemptively, which now fits perfectly under his hockey helmet and gives him an "aerodynamic edge on the ice."
A dedicated hockey player and enthusiast, Coulier remains as active and optimistic as ever, harboring the expectation that he will achieve full remission upon completing his treatment in February.
