Beloved Actor Sam Neill Opens Up About Cancer Journey and Finding Joy in Living
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As the world eagerly awaited the release of Jurassic World Dominion last year, Sam Neill's life took a dramatic turn. Behind the scenes, the 75-year-old actor was grappling with a diagnosis that threatened to derail his well-established career (and life!).
In March 2022, Neill shocked his fans by revealing that he had been diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Neill refused to let the illness get the best of him. With unwavering determination, he underwent gruelling treatment and emerged victorious, beating the disease and achieving remission.
In a recent interview, Neill opened up about his struggles and revealed the harrowing thoughts that ran through his mind when he first received the news.
'I'm crook, I'm dying,' he recalled.
While on tour, the veteran actor noticed some concerning bumpy glands in his neck, leading to a terrifying diagnosis of stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, this type of cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is a critical part of the immune system. The cancer had spread to lymph nodes both above and below his diaphragm, as well as in his spleen.
Despite the daunting prognosis, Neill showed remarkable composure, describing himself as 'pretty phlegmatic' upon receiving the news.
Nevertheless, he recognised the gravity of the situation and decided to take stock of his life. In a brave and candid admission, he shared that he considered taking up writing as a means to cope with the diagnosis.
Neill turned to writing to find solace and meaning in life. His memoir, titled Did I Ever Tell You This?, became a lifeline for him, giving him a reason to get up and face the day.
Despite not thinking he had a book in him, Neill found himself increasingly engrossed in the writing process. The result is a poignant and powerful reflection on his life, including his battle with cancer.
Although the book does address his illness, Neill wrote it entirely on his own, without the help of a ghostwriter. He is proud of how quickly he finished the project, even joking that his publishers wanted to release it in a hurry 'just in case he kicked the bucket'.
Sam Neill's cancer battle has given him a new appreciation for life. In remission now, he has gained a fresh perspective and is no longer afraid of dying. However, he is eager to leave behind some of the harsher side effects of his treatment, such as hair loss, and is looking forward to regrowing his beloved beard.
Despite the dark and difficult journey he has been on, Neill describes it as an adventure. He recognises that there are both good and bad days, but he treasures the former all the more because of the challenges he has faced.
For him, getting good news is exhilarating, and he continues to approach life with a sense of adventure and gratitude.
Despite facing a cancer diagnosis, Sam Neill's outlook on life remains heartwarmingly positive. While he admits that he isn't afraid of dying, he is determined to make the most of the time he has left.
'I'd really like another decade or two, you know?' The beloved actor, who resides on a farm in his home country of New Zealand, said he wants to be around long enough to watch the trees he has planted mature and to see his grandchildren grow up.
'I couldn't care less about dying', he said, but it's clear that living is still very important to him. After undergoing two types of chemotherapy that put his cancer in remission, Neill continues to receive monthly treatments, but he shows no signs of slowing down.
In fact, he is currently preparing for a new acting role in a television adaptation of Liane Moriarty's novel, Apples Never Fall, which will be filmed in Queensland.
'What I don't want to do is stop living,' Neill shared. 'It's been such a lot of fun.'
Credit: ABC News In-depth.
Neill's story is a testament to the power of positivity and resilience in the face of adversity; his determination to keep living and his commitment to enjoying the moments of gratitude that life provides is truly inspiring.
His decision to write a memoir and continue pursuing his acting career is a testament to his strength and tenacity.
Sam Neill's story is a reminder to us all to stay positive, to share our stories with others, and to make the most of the time we have. Let us all take inspiration from his example and live each day to the fullest. What are your thoughts, folks? Are you inspired? Let us know in the comments!
In March 2022, Neill shocked his fans by revealing that he had been diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Neill refused to let the illness get the best of him. With unwavering determination, he underwent gruelling treatment and emerged victorious, beating the disease and achieving remission.
In a recent interview, Neill opened up about his struggles and revealed the harrowing thoughts that ran through his mind when he first received the news.
'I'm crook, I'm dying,' he recalled.
Neill is happy to report that he has been in remission for the last eight months. Credit: Shutterstock.
While on tour, the veteran actor noticed some concerning bumpy glands in his neck, leading to a terrifying diagnosis of stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, this type of cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is a critical part of the immune system. The cancer had spread to lymph nodes both above and below his diaphragm, as well as in his spleen.
Despite the daunting prognosis, Neill showed remarkable composure, describing himself as 'pretty phlegmatic' upon receiving the news.
Nevertheless, he recognised the gravity of the situation and decided to take stock of his life. In a brave and candid admission, he shared that he considered taking up writing as a means to cope with the diagnosis.
Neill turned to writing to find solace and meaning in life. His memoir, titled Did I Ever Tell You This?, became a lifeline for him, giving him a reason to get up and face the day.
Despite not thinking he had a book in him, Neill found himself increasingly engrossed in the writing process. The result is a poignant and powerful reflection on his life, including his battle with cancer.
Although the book does address his illness, Neill wrote it entirely on his own, without the help of a ghostwriter. He is proud of how quickly he finished the project, even joking that his publishers wanted to release it in a hurry 'just in case he kicked the bucket'.
Sam Neill's cancer battle has given him a new appreciation for life. In remission now, he has gained a fresh perspective and is no longer afraid of dying. However, he is eager to leave behind some of the harsher side effects of his treatment, such as hair loss, and is looking forward to regrowing his beloved beard.
Despite the dark and difficult journey he has been on, Neill describes it as an adventure. He recognises that there are both good and bad days, but he treasures the former all the more because of the challenges he has faced.
For him, getting good news is exhilarating, and he continues to approach life with a sense of adventure and gratitude.
He wants people to focus on the book rather than his cancer. Credit: Instagram/samneilltheprop.
Despite facing a cancer diagnosis, Sam Neill's outlook on life remains heartwarmingly positive. While he admits that he isn't afraid of dying, he is determined to make the most of the time he has left.
'I'd really like another decade or two, you know?' The beloved actor, who resides on a farm in his home country of New Zealand, said he wants to be around long enough to watch the trees he has planted mature and to see his grandchildren grow up.
'I couldn't care less about dying', he said, but it's clear that living is still very important to him. After undergoing two types of chemotherapy that put his cancer in remission, Neill continues to receive monthly treatments, but he shows no signs of slowing down.
In fact, he is currently preparing for a new acting role in a television adaptation of Liane Moriarty's novel, Apples Never Fall, which will be filmed in Queensland.
'What I don't want to do is stop living,' Neill shared. 'It's been such a lot of fun.'
Credit: ABC News In-depth.
Neill's story is a testament to the power of positivity and resilience in the face of adversity; his determination to keep living and his commitment to enjoying the moments of gratitude that life provides is truly inspiring.
His decision to write a memoir and continue pursuing his acting career is a testament to his strength and tenacity.
Sam Neill's story is a reminder to us all to stay positive, to share our stories with others, and to make the most of the time we have. Let us all take inspiration from his example and live each day to the fullest. What are your thoughts, folks? Are you inspired? Let us know in the comments!
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