Stanley Tucci recalls needing feeding tubes for six months while battling cancer and says his wife Felicity helped him overcome his illness: “They had to drag me away kicking and screaming”
Stanley Tucci recalls being dependent on a feeding tube for six months during his “terrifying” cancer battle several years ago.
The 62-year-old Devil Wears Prada actor was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2017 and described how he was able to overcome the condition with the help of his wife Felicity, the sister of his Devil Wears Prada co-star Emily Blunt.
Tragically, Tucci lost his first wife Kate to cancer in 2009 and was “completely shocked” to learn he would also be battling the disease.
Speak with Willie Geist on Sunday SitdownTucci, who is now cancer-free, recalled the anguish he faced when he was diagnosed and how he was unable to eat for six months without the aid of a feeding tube.
My late wife and I traveled all over the world to find a cure for her. So when I got it I was completely shocked,” he explained. “And luckily it hadn’t spread.”
‘I was terrified, absolutely terrified’: Stanley Tucci recalls relying on a feeding tube for six months during his ‘terrifying’ battle with cancer several years ago
“I was terrified, terrified.”
He described how the “cruel” and “terrible” treatments affected his diet: “I lost 35 pounds,” he said. ‘I couldn’t eat. I had a feeding tube for six months and everything tasted like you know what and smelled like you know what.
“And it took months and months and months before I could finally eat and taste good again.”
Tucci said he had to be dragged into treatments “kicking and screaming” but acknowledges it saved his life.
“I was so scared,” he said. “But Felicity was very persistent. I mean, they had to drag me away kicking and screaming. But now I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t.’
‘She was incredible. It’s still incredible,” he said of his wife, with whom he shares two children. He also has three children with his late wife Kate.
Stanley previously described how he was diagnosed after an initial scan failed to detect the cancer.
Horrible: He described how the “cruel” and “terrible” treatments affected his diet: “I lost 35 pounds,” he said
Support System: Tucci described how he was able to overcome the condition with the help of his wife Felicity, the sister of his Devil Wears Prada co-star Emily Blunt; Tucci pictured with Felicity in 2019
“I had a scan, but the scan missed it. And if you think there might be something wrong, of course you’re also afraid that something is wrong,” he said. People last year.
Finally, after visits to multiple doctors, Tucci was diagnosed with a three-centimeter tumor on his tongue.
“They couldn’t operate because the tumor was so big,” he said. It’s a miracle it hasn’t spread. It had been in me for so long.’
Tucci was unable to eat during the treatments and was dependent on a feeding tube, which also destroyed his senses of taste and smell.
Devastating: The actor tragically lost his first wife Kate to cancer in 2009; photo 2006
Candid: Tucci recalled his health struggles while speaking to Willie Geist for Sunday Sitdown
Several months after his treatments ended in 2018, Tucci built up the strength to eat again.
He said his wife’s incredible support helped him through the health battle.
Tucci said, “Felicity’s undying attention, affection, and encouragement got me through.”
The Captain America star said he was still experiencing some lingering side effects from the treatment, but has largely regained his sense of smell and taste.
Co-stars! Tucci pictured with Emily Blunt in 2010