Jacki Weaver reveals that she had Pheochromocytoma and needed surgery for it!
Jacki Weaver is a popular Australian actress who has done some Iconic roles for over 5 decades and has gained recognition due to them. Her face is known to most Australians. So they all were sad to learn about her rate tumor.
Jacki Weaver and her tumor
Australian actress Jacki Weaver appeared on 60 Minutes and spoke to reporter Charles Wooley. She gave an intimate interview on the channel and revealed that she has a rare tumor that her fans and viewers are not aware of. She said on the show:
“I was told I could die, It was frightening for myself, my husband and my family.”
Jacki is preparing to film her new series called Bloom. Weaver talked about her recent health scare earlier this year. She said:
“I had a pheochromocytoma,”
She explained:
“It’s a very rare tumour on the adrenal gland. They’re usually as big as twenty cents and mine was as big as a mango.”
Jacki Weaver talks about surgery
Jacki went on to narrate that she was advised surgery for her adrenal gland tumor and the operation to remove the tumor mass in her abdomen lasted seven hours. Her abdomen carries the scars of the surgery, she said:
“Six scars right across my abdomen. They were trying to save my kidney and my spleen because they thought I’d lose them as well,”
Jacki has spoken about her tumor for the first time and did not reveal it to the gossip magazines. Revealing the reason for keeping it a secret, she said:
“I kept it quiet. I was a little bit shy about it, but now I’m 100 per cent again, I’m only missing a mango-sized tumour and one adrenal gland, and the other one seems to be working fine.”
About her new series Bloom
Jacki is now back in action post-surgery and is in good health. She will reappear on the Australian small screen soon in Bloom which will be aired on 1 January 2019. The story revolves around an aged lady who is living with severe pain and dementia.
She gets a chance to tell everyone about her youth after there is a miracle plant that blooms in a small Australian town that was once destroyed by a natural disaster.
The filming of the show is done in Counts, country Victoria and Jacki are happy to be back in her home country and working in the film industry there. Jacki wants to work for many more years to come and loves acting. She told Charles Wooley:
“I reckon I can do another 20 years of this or maybe 25 — because Betty White’s 96 and she was acting until last year,”
She is now 71 and continued:
“I wouldn’t mind still acting when I’m 90. There wouldn’t be much competition for the roles.”
About Pheochromocytoma
It is a neuroendocrine tumor and arises from the medulla area of the adrenal gland. It secretes hormones and substances such as catecholamines. The patient may have high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, flank pains, palpitations, excessive sweating, weight loss, anxiety, headache, and high blood glucose levels.
Blood tests and ultrasound abdomen diagnosis of the condition. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and sometimes medications may be additionally required.
Source: 9celebrity, starts at 60