Full House star talks about finding the courage to prioritize yourself. Coulier, who was best known as Joey Gladstone on *Full House* has been diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here, the 65-year-old actor opens up exclusively to PEOPLE about the life – changing news and how he’s handling it with determination and optimism.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Those lymph nodes started swelling in October following what Coulier thought was a simple upper respiratory infection. His doctor ordered a series of PET and CT scans along with a biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis when one area became the size of a golf ball.
Three days later, my doctors called, thrilled I was alive, and said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ‘It’s very aggressive and B-cell,’ Coulier recalls. I went from thinking I had a head cold to then finding I have cancer.” It was a fast rollercoaster ride. I just about held on, and it was overwhelming.”
When you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, white blood cells grow abnormally and form tumors throughout the body. Coulier has a rare type of lymphoma called B-cell lymphoma, which can be aggressive to the skin. A common symptom is swollen lymph nodes, as Coulier experienced (which caused him to return), chest pain, or fever.
Facing the Fight
Determined not to let Coulier’s diagnosis go by the wayside, Coulier put together a team with his wife, Melissa Bring, and trusted friends in the medical field. They decided on a treatment together and offered him hope. Then, when a bone marrow test came back negative, his curability rate skyrocketed to 90 percent, which was a huge turning point for us.
He says, ‘That was a great day.’ “It changed everything.”
Coulier started chemotherapy just two weeks after his diagnosis. With a proactive spirit, he embraced the challenge by shaving his head ahead of receiving the treatments — a ‘preemptive strike’ he called it and decided to speak openly about his journey on his podcast Full House Rewind with Marla Sokoloff.
“In the first episode, I was also wearing a hat and I said ‘This hat has special significance, a couple of weeks ago I found out that I had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.’” People need to know, this is my life. I’m not going to hide it. “So instead, I hope to inspire other people by talking about it.”
Strength From the Family
Coulier has to keep strong and draw his strength from his family, as several members have battled cancer.
My mom died of breast cancer.” My sister Sharon went down with breast cancer at 36, and my niece Shannon was 29 when she lost hers. He also shares, “That is my older sister Karen, who is also going through cancer right now.”
Their courage also inspires Coulier. “Just if I can be 1/10th the strength they were, I’ll be good.” They were magnificent.”
Another piece of Coulier’s personality that has been equally as important is one of humor. A former registered nurse, my sister Karen, lightens things up. I thought, I finally made it to the National Hockey League!’ As we joke about this, I’ve gone from Virgo to Cancer.”
Things You Can Do To Stay Positive and Active
Coulier concentrates on the positive while slogging through the ups and downs of chemotherapy.
I get nauseous and dizzy some days. Other days, the steroids take hold, and I feel energized, he says. In fact, he even hit the ice in Detroit recently to play hockey with friends. “It was so awesome to do something I love and remember all the fabulous things in my life.”
He has added guilt to his excitement as his first grandchild is due to arrive shortly. Luc, 33, Coulier’s son, with wife Alex, is to be the father of a baby boy in March.
He smiles, laughs, and says: “I got to teach him how to play hockey.” ‘I can’t wait for everything.’
A Message of Hope
Coulier also wants to encourage others to get early testing by sharing his story.
“Take great care of yourself. Talk to your doctors, get a mammogram, a breast exam, and a colonoscopy. ‘Early detection can make all the difference,’ he advises. “There’s a lot to live for.”
With Coulier continuing with his treatment, his strength and dedication to encourage others is a representation of how we must live life to its fullest and take on every challenge with courage.
