HEARTBREAKING video shows actress Kelley Mack re-learning to walk – just months before her death at the age of 33.
Mack, who played Addy in season nine of The Walking Dead, died on Saturday after battling the aggressive cancer diffuse midline glioma.
Kelley Mack and her boyfriend navigating the stairs[/caption]
Kelley shared her health updates on Instagram[/caption]
A photo shared by Kelley after her first day of proton radiation in January[/caption]
Kelley played Addy in the Walking Dead[/caption]
In a January Instagram post, Kelley explained the circumstances that led up to her diagnosis.
She revealed she started to experience back pain – a month after moving into a new apartment with her boyfriend Logan. But, her symptoms worsened.
“The shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful,” she wrote on Instagram.
She was diagnosed with the illness after an abnormal mass was found on her spinal cord.
She underwent proton radiation and documented her health battle.
She revealed that she lost the use of her right leg and most of her left. But, she also shared milestones.
In late March, Kelley posted a video marking a major milestone – regaining the ability to walk up and down a flight of stairs.
“I’ve been up and down these stairs now 2x in the past few days,” she wrote.
“It’s a big deal for me (Life has also had its ups and downs lately am I right lol).”
In the video, her boyfriend Logan was described as a “stairs king” as he helped her.
Friends praised Kelley as she navigated the basement stairs.
She continued to share updates about her work despite her illness.
She stars in the comedy-drama Universal, alongside Inbetweeners actor Joe Thomas.
What is Diffuse midline glioma?
DIFFUSE midline glioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that predominately affects children and young adults.
Tumors tend to form in the brain or spinal cord and the cancers are classified as grade IV.
Symptoms:
- Double vision
- Swallowing problems
- Weakness on one side or both sides of the body
- Loss of balance
The cause of diffuse midline glioma is unknown.
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are used to try and manage the cancer.
Patients can be put forward in trials for new immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs.
The five-year survival rate is 42.2%, according to the National Cancer Institute
Just under 4,000 people across the US are living with the type of cancer.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Kelley died on August 2 in Cincinnati after her brave battle with central nervous system glioma.
“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley,” her family said in a statement announcing her death.
“Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.
“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present.
“Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies.
“She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express.”
A life celebration is to be held on August 16.
Kelley’s sister said she was so “f**king proud” of the actress.
“And as her sister, I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God,” she wrote on social media.
“I’m so f**king proud of her.”
On June 17, Kelley promoted the premiere of the movie Universal.
She vowed to attend the premiere with the director of the movie, Stephen Portland.
This turned out to be her final Instagram post.
She played Ricky in the film which is yet to be released.
Kelley played Penelope Jacobs in Chicago Med, starring in one episode in 2022.
She also appeared in shows such as 9-1-1, Schooled, and The College Tapes.
Mack on the red carpet at the Chicago International Film Festival in October 2021[/caption]
Actress Kelley Mack and baseball legend George Foster in a photo posted in February[/caption]
Kelley tragically died at the age of 33[/caption]
