You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have: The Facts of Life.
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Charlotte Rae, who is best known for portraying Mr. Drummond’s housekeeper Mrs. Garrett in thirty-seven episode of Diff’rent Strokes and reprising the role for nine season of its spinoff series The Facts of Life, has revealed that she has recently been diagnosed with bone cancer — a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone tissue.
“About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — which is a miracle that they found it because usually it’s too late,” Rae told People. “My mother, sister and my uncle died of pancreatic cancer. After six months of chemotherapy, I was cancer-free. I lost my hair, but I had beautiful wigs. Nobody even knew.
“So now, at the age of 91, I have to make up my mind. I’m not in any pain right now,” she continued. “I’m feeling so terrific and so glad to be above ground,” she explains. “Now I have to figure out whether I want to go have treatment again to opt for life. I love life. I’ve had a wonderful one already. I have this decision to make.”
On Saturday, Rae celebrated her 91st birthday. Though for her, based on her age and what she has gone through, she says every day feels like a birthday. She was scheduled to begin treatments as soon as today, but delayed it so she could consider all of her options.
“I think I’m gong to go for it,” she decided. “The side effects were not too bad when I did it originally. I’ve had a great life, but I have so many wonderful things happening. I’d like to chose life. I’m grateful for the life I’ve already had.”
Facts of Life – Join Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Tootie (Kim Fields), Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and Jo (Nancy McKeon) at their exclusive girls school as they experience the highs and lows that we all experience on the road to adulthood. With the ever-developing friendship of our four young heroines, the gentle wisdom of Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), and enough “Very Special Episodes” to make viewers blush, The Facts of Life remains a favorite for countless fans to this day. From Eastland School for Girls to Edna’s Edibles…from hilarious Cousin Geri (Geri Jewell) to hunky George Burnett (George Clooney), who says “the world never seems to be living up to your dreams?”
