Maura Tierney In 'Parade': Opens Up About Cancer Battle

Maura Tierney covers this weekend's Parade magazine and in the interview talks about life since being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Maura had been set to appear on the NBC series 'Parenthood' but was forced to drop out so she could undergo treatment. She was replaced on the show by Lauren Graham who is now dating her onscreen brother.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview, read more here.

On finding a lump in her breast:
"I was so, so scared of going to the doctor. I felt something, and my boyfriend at the time made me go. He said, 'You've got to take care of this,' because I was afraid. That's one thing I will say: Don't be afraid to go to the damn doctor. Just go!"

On her diagnosis:
"I was so lucky. I had insurance, I found a great team of doctors at UCLA, and I could afford not to work while I was getting treated. From the beginning my doctor told me, 'You're going to be okay,' and I chose to believe him. So there was always that in my head."

On her treatment:
"I've been misquoted a lot, and there's this tendency for people to put on to you how they think you should be or what they think you should feel. The truth is, I had my surgery, and I have two more months on this one drug. I haven't figured out where I want to focus my energies to help others, and I don't know what kind of wisdom to drop on anybody yet--except for, you know, they can help people now. I feel an immense sense of gratitude, but sometimes I think there should be room for more gratitude [in me], because I can still be bitchy in the morning..."

Comments

[hubbahubba77]

12:16 AM on 09/14/2010

Love her! She's royalty as far as I'm concerned. :)

[Tiara De Roth]

05:23 PM on 09/13/2010

She is a great actress and beautiful, inside and out.

[tttony]

12:53 PM on 09/13/2010

Still beautiful. And a great attitude.

[janfernandez]

11:40 PM on 09/12/2010

Your gratitude will increase as the years go by. When you reach the 5, 10, 15 or more years after treatment you will appreciate what accomplishments you have made in your life and know why.

[pinkeyelemonade]

03:25 PM on 09/12/2010

I hope she beats this, just as I hope all women suffering this disease pull through. It needs to be said time and time again that one should NOT fear a trip to the doctor, in case there should be a confirmation of what they suspect. There should be firm support and reccommendation towards checking oneself early and as often as possible.

Somehow that doesn't look like Maura at all...but she looks gorgeous with that haircut, I love it. And I loved her in Newsradio. What a great show that was. She's underrated as an actress. Peace to Maura, and I hope to see her recover.

[proudloudlib]

07:10 PM on 09/11/2010

Love you, Maura! Loved you in Newsradio, and you really became the heart and soul of ER. So glad you are okay, and will continue to grace us with your remarkable talent.

[Pupadup4oBama]

11:00 AM on 09/11/2010

LOVE her hair. She looks fantastic.
Very sophisticated.

[copelli21]

10:33 AM on 09/13/2010

Agreed! Keep the short hair. Mega-cute!

[Skyhawk]

12:20 AM on 09/11/2010

Love you Maura!

[KingCujo]

06:17 PM on 09/10/2010

Rock on, Maura!!!

[chaapai]

05:30 PM on 09/10/2010

What a beautiful woman, she looks great! I hope she recovers fast and makes it back to television!

[namdlogd]

04:25 PM on 09/10/2010

I'm happy for her she's getting better. In that picture she's a dead ringer for that chick from Northern Exposure.

[GraceNotes]

04:16 PM on 09/11/2010

I have always thought there is a strong resemblance between Janine Turner and Maura Tierney. It is more noticeable now that Maura has a short hairdo.

[NateFisher]

01:48 PM on 09/10/2010

She was so adorable on "NewsRadio"

And she still is.

Stay Healthy, Maura.

[mmsuki]

01:31 PM on 09/10/2010

Best wishes, Boston girl!

[Uproar]

12:35 PM on 09/10/2010

Crucial words: "I was so lucky. I had insurance."
Hope she gets better asap.

[medusa1000]

10:08 AM on 09/10/2010

Maura, best wishes for your health and success of your continued drug therapy and for the honesty to tell other women who are feeling scared, unrealistically hoping the lump is anything from that time of the month breast changes, to too much coffee - anything but what we are all terrorized of, to see your doctor. You were the best as Abbey and I am looking forward to your new series. You look lovely with short hair.