General Hospital actor John J. York reveals difficult conversation he had revealing cancer diagnoses to wife and daughter and how he’s staying upbeat despite his illnesses
Actor John J. York is doing his best to make the most of a serious health issue.
Just a few days ago, the longtime General Hospital star opened up about how she was diagnosed last December with two forms of cancer — myelodysplastic syndromes and latent multiple myeloma — which are both blood and bone marrow disorders.
In a new interview with PeopleYork revealed his journey from being diagnosed with cancer to the heartbreaking moments when his wife and daughter were informed, as well as the treatments he has endured so far, while maintaining a positive attitude through it all .
While dealing with surprising health news, York also tried to shine a light on her personal story to inspire others to consider donating bone marrow or blood stem cells.
York, 64, was able to remain optimistic, in part because of his experience and familiarity with doctors and hospitals as he battled ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease since he was 17.
As a result, he’s taken a sort of “been there, done that” approach to the current health situation.
Health issues: John J. York, 64, told People how he was diagnosed with two different cancers and how he broke the news to his wife and daughter; seen in 2018 in Pasadena, California.
“It’s just another thing I have to deal with now,” York told People of his state of mind.
“I lived my life with colonoscopies, medications, all that, and I always had to be under the care of a doctor,” he confessed, before adding with great positivity, “ and live my life. All is well.’
It was during periodic checkups for these pre-existing conditions that her doctor would carefully monitor a spot that just wouldn’t heal.
From that point on, he was put on mild chemotherapy in pill form. But in October 2022, his hematologist – a doctor specializing in blood diseases – suggested a bone marrow biopsy.
Then, on December 9, 2022, York thought, “This can’t be good,” when his doctor asked, “Is your wife available for a conference call?” Moments later, he would be informed of his cancer diagnosis.
The time came to call his wife of 37 years, Vicki, Manners, who he initially described as “a mess.” After a brief explanation from the doctor about the different cells and levels, Vicki interrupted and asked bluntly, “Does John have cancer?”
Once the confirmation was made, Manners became proactive and started asking all the questions on the conference call.
At the end of their conversation, York asked the doctor his one and only question: “Why do I feel so good?”
After explaining how he stays in great shape through exercise and diet, the doctor said “it was because we got it early”, which was good news for the soap star.
They initially decided to wait to tell their daughter Skyler the news until their move to Tennessee was complete and he could do it in person. But after two sleepless nights, he changed his mind and asked his wife to call Skyler, who informed her over the phone.
Open book: York, who has played Mac Scorpio on General Hospital since 1991, shared his journey since his cancer diagnosis in December 2022, in an interview with People
Opening: York said he realized something was wrong when his doctor asked if his wife of 37 years, Vicki Manners, was available for a conference call, which is when he shared cancer diagnoses; the couple is seen in 1994
In explaining his chemotherapy treatments, York made it sound like the experience of someone “waiting for a table in a restaurant.”
“This equates to an infusion of approximately 15 to 20 minutes for seven consecutive days, then 28 days after the first day of that infusion cycle.” I had one in March, April, May, June, July, August, and now I will have another one in September.
In recent days, York has been moved to the top of the priority donor list and believes they are close to finding him a bone marrow donor.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “A lot of my family members have been tested. I think the age range is 18-40 to join the registry at bethematch.org/matchformac.
Last week, the actor who has played Mac Scorpio since 1991 updated his fans and explained exactly what he’s going through and what’s in store for him with his treatments.
“I said I was going to give you an update on why I’m taking a little break from General Hospital and here it is,” he began in a close-up video while looking into the camera . “So, in December 2022, I was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, and latent multiple myeloma – two disorders of the blood and bone marrow.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are classified as “a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells, depending on the National Cancer Institute. The different types of MDS “are diagnosed based on certain changes in blood cells and bone marrow.”
THE NCI describes latent multiple myeloma as a “precancerous condition that alters certain blood proteins and/or increases plasma cells in the bone marrow, but does not cause symptoms of disease (myeloma). »
York then explained the treatments he’s endured so far and the rest of the plan he developed with his doctors.
“Over the past few months I’ve had three bone marrow biopsies, numerous chemotherapy treatments, I have another one in a few weeks and I’m getting closer to a blood stem cell transplant,” the native revealed from Chicago.
“Over the past few months, I’ve had three bone marrow biopsies, numerous chemotherapy treatments, have another one in a few weeks and am getting closer to a blood stem cell transplant,” York said.
The actor then revealed that he was working with the Be The Match organization to find a potential donor on their registry himself.
He also made a point of asking people to consider donating marrow or blood stem cells to anyone in need.
“If it is possible and you are considering becoming a donor, by joining their registry, not only for me but for thousands and thousands of other people who need a donor, go to bethematch.org/matchformac,’ he said.
Be The Match is a global leader in bone marrow transplantation and connects patients with their matching donor for a life-saving marrow or blood stem cell transplant.
People interested in joining the Be the Match registry must be between the ages of 18 and 40.
York insisted this isn’t the end of the road for himself or his character on General Hospital after playing the role of Mac for 32 years, which translates to 647 episodes during his tenure. to the series.
“I just want to say thank you for all the support over the years. It’s not goodbye, it’s just “Goodbye!” I’ll have to take a break for three, maybe four months, but I’ll be back.
Update: York explained the treatments he’s endured so far and the rest of the plan he came up with with his doctors in a video he shared on X (formerly Twitter) last week.
Treatments: York is currently seeking a bone marrow donor, as part of the treatment of the blood disorder, through the Be The Match organization.
‘I’ll be back’: Actor insisted he’ll be back on General Hospital; he is depicted in a scene from 2010
He concluded the post: “Check out Be The Match; do everything you can; and thank you for your patience and time. Thank you for your prayers. I will keep you posted and talk to you soon.
York has tried to keep things simple when it comes to maintaining a positive attitude.
“My whole philosophy is one day at a time; whatever they need from me,” York said of his daily mindset during the interview.
“Personally, I feel like it’s in God’s hands. God’s will will be done. It’s going to be okay, one way or another,” he shared. “I’m either going to survive or I’m not. And life goes on and everything will be okay for everyone. .. Let’s take it one day at a time.