Jill Martin, 49, co-host of NBC’s “TODAY,” shared that she will be undergoing emergency surgery to treat residual damage caused by her stage 2 breast cancer. Her surgery, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9, the same day she revealed the news to the show’s digital outlet, will be the eighth one she’s endured since her diagnosis in 2023.
“Just when you think the fight is over, life reminds you that healing isn’t always linear,” she said, according to TODAY.com.
Martin’s surgery is a result of the skin damage caused by her breast cancer radiation therapy. When explaining to the outlet about what’s to come, she said she will be admitting herself to the hospital as a reconstructive patient rather than a cancer patient.
“It’s preventative and proactive — an emergency only in the sense that if we don’t act now, it could turn into something much bigger,” she said. “It’s important to say this clearly: my cancer is not back.”
Jill Martin to Lean on Her Gratitude Amid 8th Breast Cancer Surgery
The New York Times bestseller shared how she plans to be in the hospital for at least three nights before returning home to recover for several weeks. However, amid the chaos, she told TODAY.com she will lean on the gratitude she has for her incredible care team as she prepares for the next stages.
“I feel worn out and grateful all at once,” she expressed. “Sometimes it feels like it never really ends. And still — I’m grateful. Grateful for early action, for great doctors, and for the chance to keep moving forward.”
Jill Martin Had 18 Lymph Nodes Removed in 2023
After her July 2023 diagnosis, Martin had a double mastectomy and 18 lymph nodes removed in August of that same year, according to an essay she wrote. She then received an aggressive form of chemotherapy known as doxorubicin, also referred to as the “red devil” for its bright red color.
After her chemotherapy, Martin completed 16 weekdays of consistent radiation. While she was fortunately able to ring the bell, the co-host’s taxing treatment untimely led to her current surgery.
Before undergoing her Jan. 9 surgery, Martin shared a video on her Instagram Story to thank her friends and family for their devoted support — shining light on the positivity she plans to pursue.
“I’m just treating this like a job. Like I’m gonna go in, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna heal and get better,” she said. “I just don’t want this to take one more second of my, ya know, my life, tears and breath. I just wanna get through it gracefully with strength.”
