Actress Charlotte Rae, best known as the lovable grandmotherly Mrs. Edna Garrett from the popular 80's hit comedy sitcom "The Facts of Life" has been diagnosed with bone cancer. Rae spoke with People magazine revealing her sad diagnosis revealing that on Monday she found out that she is suffering from bone cancer.
Charlotte Rae has already beat pancreatic cancer
This is not Charlotte Rae's first battle with the brutal disease, seven years ago the actress was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which she reveals was luckily found in the early stages.
"My mother, sister and my uncle died of pancreatic cancer. After six months of chemotherapy, I was cancer-free. I lost my hair, but I had beautiful wigs. Nobody even knew.”
Keeping a positive and happy attitude on life is one of the keys to Rae's success.
Charlotte is keeping a happy and positive attitude and states that as of now she is not in any pain, and happy to "be above ground." Her next move she claims is to make the decision as to whether or not she wants to go through the cancer treatment programs once again.
"I love life. I’ve had a wonderful one already. I have this decision to make,” Charlotte says.
Rae's long life and career have definitely been an interesting ride for the actress, full ups, downs, and 44-years of sobriety.
Her 2015, titled "The Facts of My Life" delves deep into every chapter of her life, including a couple of the most shocking, personal and hardest moments of her life and is a very interesting memoir book. She recalls finding out that her husband was bisexual and dealing with the tragic death of her oldest son, Andrew, who suffered from autism and dementia.
Charlotte Rae has a long list of successful television credits under her belt including roles on television classics such as "Car 54, Where are You," "Love American Style," "Barney Miller, "Good Times" and "All in the Family" to name just a few. Rae's most recent film role was in 2015, in the feature film "Ricki and the Flash" with Meryl Streep.
Rae reveals the life her fans watched on television and her real life were two entirely different worlds. She is not alone in that statement, as previously reported Little House on the Prairie's Charlotte Stewart, who played Miss Beadle, also published a memoir book revealing her past as a wild party girl, former girlfriend of Jim Morrison, and her battles with addiction.
Rae, who recently celebrated her 91st birthday has some great advice on aging, telling fans that they should celebrate not only their birthday's but every day, to always treat yourself and others good. As for her decision on bone cancer treatment, she recently reveals she believes she will do it, that after consideration she has decided to choose life, adding that she is grateful for all the life that she has already enjoyed, and is looking forward to what is to come.
One thing is for certain Charlotte Rae is one strong lady, and if anyone can kick cancer's butt a second time it will be her. Best wishes to Charlotte Rae.
