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Magda Szubanski is seen for the first time in weeks as she undergoes chemo for her stage four cancer - and reveals the unique way she is getting through treatment
Magda Szubanski has provided fans with a heartfelt and surprisingly upbeat update as she battles stage four cancer.
The beloved Kath and Kim star, 64, took to social media on Monday night with a clip revealing her shaved head - a result of chemotherapy as she battles Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
Despite the gruelling treatment, the Aussie comedy icon appeared in good spirits as she proudly showed off how she was keeping herself entertained: by building a Lego set.
'Having cancer is not all bad because look... Lego Land Rover! I am such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian's body,' Magda quipped.
Magda, who announced her diagnosis in May, said she has turned to Lego therapy to help her through the toughest battle of her life.
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'The upside of cancer - it ain't all bad!! thank you Lego for my new Lego Land Rover classic Defender,' she wrote.
'This will keep me busy for a bit. Tricky with chemo induced numbness in fingertips but… I've planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors!! GOOD TIMES!!! Now all I need is a Lego Queen Elizabeth II to pop in the driver's seat.'
Her post struck a chord with fans, with a slew of celebrity friends flooding the comments with messages of love and support.
'Love this! Love you,' wrote The Bachelor star Alex Nation.
'God bless you and your beautiful outlook on life and Lego. sending positive vibes,' Married At First Sight's Dave Hand chipped in and celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge shared an applause emoji.
In May, Magda announced on social media she was battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease.
'Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she began.
'It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately. But the good thing is I'm surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team.
'Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, so I feel very fortunate.
'It's pretty confronting. It is a full on. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.'
Magda said she has started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats Mantle Cell Lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases.
It's known as the Nordic regimen based upon its clinical trial sites in Denmark and Norway.
The actress explained she will be 'lying very low' due to her weak immune system.
'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said.
'Please keep a distance though because I will be very immunocompromised. So I can't hug no more. Don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.'
She said the cancer was discovered during a routine breast screening.
'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,' she explained.
'TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body! For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits.'
What is mantle cell lymphoma?
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that causes white blood cells to grow and multiply uncontrollably.
The average age at diagnosis is 60 to 65 years and is two to three times more common in men than women.
The initial symptom of MCL is usually a painless swelling in the neck, armpit, and/or groin.
It is usually treated with combination chemotherapy, but other therapies include radioimmunotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplants.
It is aggressive and often comes back after patients go into remission.
