Since rising to fame in the ’80s, Christina Applegate has always been open about her life behind the scenes, particularly her health issues. In 2008, she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, which needed a double mastectomy to treat.
The actress also underwent an operation in 2017 to remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries. Applegate faced yet another health struggle three years later, which she shared with fans.
In August 2021, then-49-year-old Applegate came forward about her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The condition changed Applegate’s working ways and made it a physical challenge to work. The actress was filming the final season of “Dead to Me” when she learned about her diagnosis but continued to play her role.
Applegate used a wheelchair to get around the filming location and needed assistance getting up. When standing, she used a cane for support and balance.
Applegate eventually made a difficult decision to step away from the job she loved because of the pain that came with MS. However, she remains grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented people, including her co-star, Linda Cardellini. Cardellini played Judy on the show, the terminally ill friend of Applegate’s character, Jen. Applegate said:
“I’m probably not going to work on camera again, but I’m so glad that I went out with someone who is by far the greatest actress I’ve ever worked with in my entire life if not the greatest human I’ve ever known.”
In a May 2023 interview, the seasoned actress revealed she was open to doing voiceover work to generate income. However, she can’t imagine going back to set. “This is a progressive disease,” she said, adding that she may worsen with time.
Christina Applegate Finds Difficulty Living with the Diagnosis
Even when at home, Applegate is pretty much immobile without her cane. Admittedly, she never had good days since being diagnosed with MS. While some days are better than others, every day is still a struggle.
Applegate changed her life to accommodate the condition and avoid injuries. She is scared to “take more showers” due to the fear of slipping and falling while in the bathroom. The thought lingers in Applegate’s head, making her want to move less.
Most days, Applegate finds herself alone and watching television in bed. She still tries to process what has become of her days occasionally and doesn’t appreciate unsolicited advice from others.
To avoid moving lengthy distances, she designated an area at the top of her staircase to place items that needed to be brought downstairs. Since she can’t do it herself, the things left are taken by someone else. Her household calls the area “purgatory.”
Besides mobility, the Hollywood star experiences difficulties doing simpler things like wearing a bra. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she praised Kim Kardashian’s clothing brand, Skims, for releasing adaptive clothing for people with difficulty moving around.