Comedian Kathy Griffin Resting After Successful Surgery for Lung Cancer

Comedian Kathy Griffin is resting and recovering after having an operation to remove half of her left lung. A spokesperson for the comedian told Deadline the surgery “went well and as planned.” 

Griffin underwent the procedure just hours after she revealed her stage one lung cancer diagnosis. She only found out about her diagnosis about two weeks ago.

“I’ve got to tell you guys something. I have cancer. I’m about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed,” she wrote on Instagram. “Yes, I have lung cancer even though I have never smoked!”

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Griffin went on to say that doctors are optimistic that the cancer is contained to her left lung. She is hopeful that following the surgery, she won’t have to undergo any chemotherapy or radiation. And she should have a normal function when it comes to breathing. 

Griffin also opened up a suicide attempt in 2020 in an interview on Nightline Monday. She opened up about developing a pill addiction in the wake of the backlash she experienced after posing with a bloodied mask of Donald Trump in 2017. She says the pill habit is what led her to attempt to take her own life.

Following her suicide attempt, she was placed on a psychiatric hold. After she was released, she started her road to recovery. Griffin is now sober and focusing on her health.

“The irony is not lost on me that, a little over a year ago, all I wanted to do was die. And now, all I wanna do is live,” Griffin said.