Dave Coulier, best known for his role as Uncle Joey on the beloved sitcom 'Full House,' has revealed a heartbreaking diagnosis: stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Coulier, 65, opened up to PEOPLE magazine exclusively about his journey with the aggressive form of cancer, a journey that began with an unexpected upper respiratory infection in October.
The swelling in Coulier's lymph nodes, which quickly reached the size of a golf ball, led doctors to perform PET and CT scans along with a biopsy. The results were devastating. "Three days later, my doctors called me back and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and it's called B cell and it's very aggressive,’” Coulier shared with PEOPLE.
The news was overwhelming for Coulier, who went from feeling a slight head cold to facing a life-altering diagnosis. "I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming,” he said. “This has been a really fast roller coaster ride of a journey.”
Coulier, known for his infectious humor and comedic talent, quickly turned to his wife, Melissa Bring, and a close group of medical professionals to face his diagnosis head-on. They crafted a specific plan to treat the cancer. A glimmer of hope emerged with a negative bone marrow test, which significantly boosted his chances of survival to around 90%. "At that point, my chances of curable went from something low to 90% range. And so that was a great day,” Coulier shared.
Two weeks after receiving the diagnosis, Coulier started chemotherapy. He shaved his head as a “preemptive strike” and shared more details about his experience on his podcast “Full House Rewind with Marla Sokoloff.” Coulier's decision to be open about his journey, he said, stems from a desire to inspire others and normalize the conversation about cancer. "I started the podcast wearing a hat, and I said, I've always been a man of many hats, but this hat has special significance because a couple of weeks ago, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,” he said. “That was really a conscious decision of, I'm going to meet this head-on, and I want people to know it's my life. I'm not going to try and hide anything. I would rather talk about it and open the discussion and inspire people.”
Coulier's determination to remain strong extends beyond himself. His son, Luc, who is expecting his first child in March, is a primary source of motivation. “I looked at how those words affected [Melissa] and I thought, you know what, I'm going to be strong throughout this, not just for me, but I'm going to be strong for her.”
Coulier has been drawing strength from his family, many of whom have also battled cancer. “I lost my mom to breast cancer. I lost my sister Sharon to breast cancer. She was 36 years old. I lost my niece, Shannon. She was 29 years old,” he says, adding that his older sister Karen is also going through cancer alongside him. “I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I'm going to be just fine,” he says.
Coulier, who is undergoing his chemotherapy treatments in Detroit, has found solace in his sister Karen's support and their shared sense of humor. “My sister was a registered nurse, and so she's seen this from different optics than I have,” he explains. “She's been so supportive and she's funny. So we're making jokes about this. One of my jokes is in four short weeks I've gone from a Virgo to a Cancer. I'm a huge hockey fan. So when they said ‘You've got NHL,’ I thought, ‘I finally made it to the NHL.’”
Despite the challenges, Coulier has managed to maintain a positive outlook and focus on the good things in his life. “I have my good days. I have my bad days,” he says. “Some days are nauseous and dizzy, and then there's other days where the steroids kick in, and I feel like I have a ton of energy. I actually skated yesterday with some friends here in Detroit. We just went and skated around and shot pucks, and it was wonderful just to be out there doing something that I love and just trying to stay focused on all the great stuff that I have in my life.”
One of the highlights for Coulier is the upcoming arrival of his first grandchild. “I’ve got to teach him how to play hockey,” he says. “There’s a lot to look forward to.”
Through his own experience, Coulier hopes to encourage others to prioritize their health and get tested early. “Take great care of yourself, because there's a lot to live for,” he advises fans. “And if that means talking with your doctors or getting a mammogram or a breast exam or colonoscopy, it can really make a big change in your life.”
Coulier is facing his cancer diagnosis with courage, humor, and a deep appreciation for life. His openness about his journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and the strength that can be found in community and family support.
Facing the Diagnosis Head-On
Coulier's diagnosis came as a shock, but he and his wife immediately sought a plan to combat the disease. "We all kind of put our heads together and said, ‘Okay, where are we going?’ And they had a very specific plan for how they were going to treat this,” he says. The discovery that his bone marrow was unaffected by the cancer was a pivotal moment, drastically improving his chances of recovery.
Finding Strength in Family and Humor
Coulier's family, particularly his sister Karen, has been a constant source of support and strength throughout his journey. "I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I'm going to be just fine,” he says. Coulier's ability to find humor in his situation, even during difficult moments, has been a key to maintaining his spirits.
A Legacy of Laughter and Inspiration
Coulier's story serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and early detection when it comes to health. His openness about his experience can inspire others facing similar challenges and encourage them to seek support and seek a diagnosis early. Coulier's legacy extends beyond his comedic talent; he is now a beacon of resilience and hope, inspiring others to face adversity with strength and grace.
