Cheri Oteri was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Saturday Night Live alum confirmed the diagnosis on the Dear Chelsea podcast last week while opening up about her close relationship with Dr. Jill Biden. Yes, the former first lady! According to Cheri, their friendship began shortly after she found out she had breast cancer. When the actress attended the Milken Institute dinner in April, they bonded over being from neighboring states, but then she became inspired by “all of these accomplished, powerful women” discussing healthcare:
“And I’m just listening and listening to everybody speak. And it was the weirdest thing ‘cause I was just diagnosed with DCIS, with breast cancer. I’m staying there quiet, and I’m like, this is so serendipitous.”
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The Mayo Clinic reports that DCIS is short for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a non-invasive, stage 0 breast cancer. It occurs when the cancer cells are inside a milk duct in the breast. And although DCIS has a low risk of spreading or becoming life-threatening, it requires people to undergo surgery to remove the cancer, as well as radiation or hormone therapy for some.
Cheri went to say goodbye to Jill as the dinner ended, and she decided to tell the former first lady about her diagnosis and surgery, which was scheduled for April 26. And you know what Dr. Biden did? She decided to stick by Cheri’s side through the health ordeal:
“She said, ‘All right, you’re gonna get tired of me.’ And she says, ‘I’m going through this with you.’ This woman, like before my surgery, after my surgery, she just, she goes, ‘I am with you on this.’ I was blown away.”
The pair continued to keep in touch, even going to get coffee together in Los Angeles:
“And so we met at this coffee shop and we just talked for two hours, and she was just, that is a woman with a huge heart, and through everything, she’s like checking on me and just a beautiful human being. I’ve never felt so supported.”
Cheri noted she assured Jill she would be okay because her doctors caught it early. She also wasn’t feeling any pain, but she remembered Jill replied:
“Joe [Biden] wasn’t in any pain either.”
The former president has an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, so upon hearing that from his wife, Cheri joked:
“All right, I’m scared now! Are you happy? But she was just hands on.”
Going through something as difficult as cancer, you need a strong support system around you. We’re glad Jill could be that for Cheri. Fortunately, Cheri says she’s now doing well. May she continue to heal and recover smoothly!
[Image via Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen/YouTube, MEGA/WENN]