'Chicago Med''s Marlyne Barrett Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
Maggie Lockwood was diagnosed with cancer on Chicago Med, now Marlyne Barrett is fighting a similar battle.
To use a famous quote, life imitates art far more than art imitates life, and sadly, for Chicago Med star Marlyne Barrett, like her character Maggie Lockwood, who received a cancer diagnosis, Barrett is now facing a diagnosis of uterine and ovarian cancer, People reports.
"I'm an extremely private person, but I felt a responsibility to tell my story," said Barrett, 44, who has 11-month-old twins Joshuah-Jireh and Ahnne-N'Urya with her husband, pastor Gavin Barrett. "When my character went through breast cancer, I had a sea of people reach out to me through social media. They brought me courage, and so I felt a sense of inevitability to meet their hearts where they met me."
The discovery of a football-sized tumor on her uterus and left ovary happened in July, following a hernia repair in April.
"I looked like I was nine months pregnant,” Barrett said of what drove her back to the doctor. “And I also had shortness of breath, but no pain, which was interesting."
She continued, “The first questions were, 'Am I going to live?' I just fell into my husband's arms. It still takes my breath away when I think about it."
Despite her current “aggressive” chemotherapy treatment and the upcoming hysterectomy, Barrett is continuing to film Chicago Med and says she leans on the cast and crew for extra support.
"I've had people shave their heads on set to support me," she told the magazine.
Even so, certain adjustments have had to be made for Barrett to continue to work.
"I start an hour earlier to get my bearings before I start my day," she said. She also figures naps and days off into her schedule as is needed to keep up her energy.
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But it’s from Gavin that she gets the greatest support and comfort.
"I'm married to the most incredible man," she said. "I get pins and needles in my limbs from the chemo and he'll drop everything to give me food and hand massages. He's dropped everything just to give me love."
Barrett is preparing to undergo her third round of chemotherapy at City of Hope in Los Angeles, and our wish for her is the same as it was for Maggie, that the end result will find her cancer free.
"I find new strength to carry on every day because of [my children]. I want to see them get married one day. And I will."
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.