EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS & DETAILS: Inside Michael Douglas' Cancer Battle: How He's Fighting Back
Posted on Dec 17, 2010 @ 02:44PM
Michael Douglas is valiantly fighting back against the advanced throat cancer that ravaged his body, and the results are emerging for everyone to see, as these RadarOnline.com exclusive photos reveal.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Never-Before-Seen Pics Of Michael Douglas In Wheelchair
On a recent Thanksgiving holiday at Disney World in Florida, the 66-year-old Wall Street star was using a wheelchair-like-scooter while his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, 41, their son Dylan, 10, and daughter Carys, 7, enjoyed the park's rides.
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While Douglas appeared energized for the cameras, posing in a number of set-up shots, behind-the-scenes his recovery was taking its toll.
"He looked frail and sick... he most definitely looked like he needed the wheelchair," said one onlooker, who snapped this photo (left) of Douglas talking to a Disney attendant.
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However, an aggressive eating campaign in the last three weeks has helped the Oscar-winner rebuild his energy sapped body after eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
"Michael has to eat a lot now to gain back the weight and help him find his strength again," the actor's longtime friend Allen Burry told RadarOnline.com.
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"That's one of the hardest things when you have been through the medication and treatment. He needs to gain weight."
Before being diagnosed with a walnut-sized tumor at the base of his tongue, the screen legend weighed a healthy 175 pounds.
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It was said to have plummeted to 139 pounds at the peak of his treatment.
So when Douglas was photographed walking his pet dog on New York's Upper West Side on Thursday, it was apparent the star is winning his struggle against the stage 4 throat cancer that was first diagnosed in August.
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"He looks thin, it's true, but that is because the chemo eats everything in someone's body," Burry told RadarOnline.com.
"Michael can't yet return to work and he can't work out physically, he has been ordered to take it easy and get his energy level up."
PHOTOS: Michael Douglas; Looking Good On The Road To Recovery
But the prognosis is good: Douglas is eyeing off his next movie project, the title role in Steven Soderbergh's Liberace, which starts shooting in May or June next year.
His spirits were buoyed with a Golden Globe nomination for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, which he said was welcome news.
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"To be selected with these extraordinary nominees is an honor and boy was I ready for some good news!" Douglas, who was recognized in the best supporting actor category, said in a statement.
He's even planning on flying to Los Angeles for the big event, as Burry told RadarOnline.com: "Michael would like to go to the Golden Globes. He is planning on going."
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The Daily Juice
Next big thing! The Chemo diet! (come on you know some twit is already doing it)
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 8:16pm
Leave him alone. If you had half a brain you would realize that it takes a year to recover from cancer treatment, including fatigue. Don't make it into something it isn't.
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 12:55pm
He looks great in the photo. And we could all use a motor cart to get around in Disney World.
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 11:51am
He's GONNA MAKE IT!!! I just know it!! We love you Michael!! Get well soon!!!! You little hottie you. :)
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 11:45am
If he wanted to be a photographed and shown in a wheelchair he would have asked the photo to be taken himself. Leave the man to recover in peace with his family.
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 9:29am
Have always respected this couple. Hoping all turns out well. Seems like someone dropped the ball by not finding the cancer sooner. Read where she is furious with his doctor over that. BTW, she was terrific in the movie Chicago!
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 9:12am
For the love of God Michael, forget work! Relax and spend every minute making memories with your wife and children. I lost my husband to cancer in July and one never knows when cancer will strike again.
Posted Fri, 12/17/2010 - 8:29am