Olivia Munn Shares How Double Mastectomy Journey Impacted Son Malcolm
Originally appeared on E! Online
Olivia Munn's life was impacted in more ways than one throughout her breast cancer battle.
As the Newsroom actress recently explained, that included missing out on special moments with her and John Mulaney's 2-year-old son Malcolm after undergoing a double mastectomy.
"When I woke up, it was really painful and I was really out of it, and I had actually lost a lot of blood and my surgery went from what was supposed to be an 8-hour surgery to a 10-hour surgery because of that blood loss," Munn told People of the procedure. "So the first part is tough because it's just a lot of pain. You've gone through a massive surgery and I didn't really at that time think about what I had lost, because you're all bandaged up."
And when the 43-year-old went home three days later, "Malcolm runs up and he said, 'Mama, pick [me] up?' And I said, 'Oh I can't pick you up.' And I squatted down to give him a hug."
Though it was hard for the toddler to understand at the time. "He just sat on my leg and goes, 'But Mama, pick [me] up!'" Munn recalled. "That was probably one of the hardest things because all you want to do is pick up your baby."
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Despite the difficult journey she's endured over the past year, Munn is cherishing the present with her son.
"I'm finding more energy," she told the outlet, adding that Malcolm is "happy, so it makes me happy."
The X-Men: Apocalypse star first shared her breast cancer diagnosis in March after undergoing four surgeries in 10 months.
"I've kept the diagnosis and the worry and the recovery and the pain medicine and the paper gowns private," Munn wrote on Instagram at the time. "I needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing."
"I'm lucky," she added. "We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day."
Keep reading for more details on celeb cancer survivors.
Jim Beaver
The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.
Ariana Madix
"I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied," the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. "(In the clear now!)"
Marcia Cross
The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. "After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me," she shared on Instagram.
Dustin Hoffman
The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman "surgically cured."
Hugh Jackman
The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman's rep told E! News that he's "all good" now.
In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen."
Camille Grammer
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Cobie Smulders
The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.
Dr. Drew Pinsky
TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.
Brooke Burke
The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, "Thx for all the twitter love. I'm [home] recovering & resting."
Angie Everhart
Christina Applegate
The Up All Night star was declared "100-percent clear" of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.
Michael C. Hall
The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Michelle Monaghan
The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.
Ewan McGregor
The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.
Sheryl Crow
The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a "minimally invasive" lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Michael Douglas
The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer "beat."
Edie Falco
The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.
Anderson Cooper
Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he's braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.
Kylie Minogue
The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.
Barry Watson
The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when he was only 28. He's 37 now and looking good!
Maura Tierney
The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.
Sharon Osbourne
The America's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.
Robert De Niro
The Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.
Robin Roberts
The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.
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