The star of the popular Netflix show “Dead to Me,” Christina Applegate’s, announced her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with two Twitter tweets.
The actress said she was determined to complete the final season of the Netflix series, in spite of her challenges, and felt an obligation to her co-star, Linda Cardellini, and Liz Feldman, the creator of the series.
“We’re going to do it, but we’re going to do it on my terms,” the actress told the New York Times.
The show was forced to take a five-month break due to the main star’s diagnosis. Applegate said that in addition to her physical recovery, she needed time to process and accept the changes that were taking place in her daily life due to her illness.
“We had already shot 50% of the final season by the time she received her diagnosis,” series creator Liz Feldman told BuzzFeed in an interview.
Applegate said that her co-star Cardellini has been supportive of her during her difficult times.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. It can damage the nerves permanently or cause their deterioration. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis but treatment can help with symptoms. Side effects of the neurological disease include numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, fatigue, and paralysis.
Applegate said she experienced problems with balance during the show’s first season, but she did not address her issues at first. She said that she has gained 40 pounds and now has to walk with a cane.
The third and final season of Netflix’s “Dead to Me” was released on November 17 and had great reviews. It was filmed during the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic in addition to Applegate’s diagnosis.