Today’s Jill Martin has returned to the morning show following the reveal of her breast cancer diagnosis.
The Today Show star opened up after undergoing a mastectomy six weeks after going public with the shocking news.
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Today’s Jill Martin gave viewers a lengthy update on her breast cancer diagnosisCredit: NBC
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She opened up about how she’s been feeling after her mastectomyCredit: NBC
In an update on the Today Show website, a resilient Jill referred to her “earth-shattering six weeks” and spoke more in-depth about her diagnosis and treatment.
Jill wrote: “In the past six weeks, I learned I am positive for a BRCA2 mutation, had stage 2 breast cancer, then had a double mastectomy and learned that my life will soon look very different.”
She added that through genetic testing, she learned that she has a gene mutation that’s the cause of her breast cancer.
After her mastectomy, Jill says she’s doing well physically, but that emotionally it’s been a roller coaster.
Jill explained: ” My double mastectomy was successful. A week after my surgery, my 45-minute meeting with my oncologist, Dr. Joseph Sparano at Mount Sinai in New York City, started with the news that there is a good chance I am cancer-free, but I need further treatment to help ensure that.”
She continued: “I had an aggressive tumor removed, and my surgeon, Dr. Elisa Port, removed 18 lymph nodes, one of which was cancerous. They actually test the nodes in real time, so I found out the results of the biopsy when I woke up from the four-hour surgery.”
Moving on after her diagnosis and treatment plan details, Jill thanked fans for their DMs, texts, emails, and calls as well as their prayers.
She noted she felt “touched, blown away and humbled” while on the healing journey.
She’s far from reaching the end, however, as she still has steps left on her treatment plan.
The Today Show anchor will find out on Wednesday about her “exact next steps” after a doctor looks at the results from her Oncotype test, which determines how likely genes are to respond to treatment.
Jill shared: “I do already know for sure I will need to have another surgery, preventatively, to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes to decrease my risk of ovarian cancer. In my case, I will need a full hysterectomy, as I have had fibroid issues in the past. I will also need to take anti-hormonal drugs for 5 years. And I will most likely need chemotherapy because of the aggressiveness of the tumor.”
She described feeling as though she was in a “state of shock” and crying all the time, but now she has chosen to fight and to “get up” as well as use her strength and platform to fight cancer.
“I will be on and off the air dealing with treatment for the next six months, but I thought it was important to share this journey with you in real time,” she concluded.
“I have shared the happy, the sad and now the scary. We will get through this together.”
TODAY’S TRAGEDY
In July, Jill revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 47-year-old opened up about her journey since discovering the health issue during an interview with co-stars Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie.
Jill brought her doctor onto the Today show with her to share more about how she learned of her diagnosis and the steps they’ve taken so far.
“This feels like an out-of-body experience,” Jill began, after Hoda asked the star to share her news with viewers.
The lifestyle contributor got choked up as she revealed: “I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. And it feels like someone else telling this story. Six weeks ago, it happened really fast.”
Her mammogram was clear back in January, Jill said, but a doctor still told her to get breast cancer (BRCA) genetic testing done a few weeks ago, due to her family’s history with the disease.
“I got the test, and it came back positive,” she said. “I was planning on getting the preventative surgery. That was my choice.”
It was when the 47-year-old went in to get scans done ahead of the surgery that the doctors discovered the cancer.
She broke down in tears as she shared that her grandmother died of breast cancer and her mother had a double mastectomy but is healthy now.
“What I’m most sad about is watching my parents watch me go through this,” Jill admitted through tears.
Hoda told her colleague: “Jill, can we just say, we love you very much. We cannot wait to see you on the other side of this.
“You are full of optimism and hope, I know you’re scared, but you know that you have a family here waiting for you to come back with open arms.”
JILL’S TREATMENT PLAN
The host revealed Jill will be going into surgery later this week.
Jill ended the segment by telling everyone: “I feel devastated and sad and scared, but I feel empowered and strong.”
She also told People in a new interview: “I am in shock, but at the same time I’m so grateful because it could be a very different story that we’re talking about.
”Of course I’m devastated. You hear the C-word and you think the worst.
“But after you hear the word and you absorb it, you then have to be your own best friend.”
She added: “And also having the platform to share my story has given me strength, because I feel like while I’m healing, I will be able to help literally save lives.
“And if I save one life from this, then this process will have been worth it for me.”
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She will need an additional surgery in the form of a hysterectomy for preventative measuresCredit: NBC
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She admitted she had been feeling down before but is now getting up to ‘fight’Credit: NBC
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The Today star also thanked fans for their interactions, prayers, and love
