Michael J. Fox says he underwent major surgery in 2018

The actor details his health scare in his upcoming fourth memoir.
November 4, 2020 11:20 a.m. EST
November 6, 2020 11:00 p.m. EST
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Michael J. Fox is opening up about the major health hurdles he’s recently endured that threatened his mental health. The beloved actor is preparing to release his fourth memoir and has opened up to People about the surgery and the injury that left the Canadian-born entertainer devastated.In 2018, doctors found a non-cancerous tumor on Fox’s spine. “I was heading for paralysis if I didn’t get it operated on,” said Fox. The actor explained that there was a high level of risk involved in the surgery because the tumor was ‘constricting the spinal cord,’ meaning any false moves could have proven disastrous.Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Fox began four months of rehabilitation, which included the actor learning to walk again. After weeks of intense therapy, Fox had recovered and was enjoying a vacation with his family in Martha’s Vineyard. The actor returned to the family’s New York City apartment to film a cameo in a Spike Lee film the following day. Fox revealed that he was home alone when he fell in his kitchen and broke his arm.[video_embed id='-1']RELATED: Michael J. Fox says Back To The Future sequel is not in his hands[/video_embed]“That was definitely my darkest moment,” said Fox. “I just snapped. I was leaning against the wall in my kitchen, waiting for the ambulance to come, and I felt like, ‘This is as low as it gets for me.’ It was when I questioned everything. Like, 'I can't put a shiny face on this. There's no bright side to this, no upside. This is just all regret and pain.'”In his upcoming memoir No Time Like the Future, Fox talks about the toll his tumor and broken arm took on his mental health. The perpetually optimistic actor, who in 1998 was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, says for the first time he found himself unable to move past his newfound depression. Even with the understanding that his life was still much easier than others, Fox acknowledged that his new mental state was causing him to struggle to be an inspiration to others. “I thought, ‘How can I tell these people, ‘Chin up. Look at the bright side. Things are going to be great?’”
 
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That’s a wrap! November 17th 2020 from @flatiron_books #NoTimeLikeTheFuture

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Fox said that he slowly found his way back to an optimistic outlook by watching TV shows from the 1970s while he recovered in bed. “Accepting that this thing has happened, and you accept it for what it is. It doesn't mean that you can't endeavor to change,” said Fox. “It doesn't mean you have to accept it as a punishment or a penance, but just put it in its proper place. Then see how much the rest of your life you have to thrive in, and then you can move on."Fox says that he’s now enjoying life at a slower pace, which includes spending time with his wife Tracy and their four children. “I love that I don’t do a lot of useless stuff that I used to do, because I don’t have the energy or the time,” said Fox. “I’m grateful that I went through a crucible there in my late 50s. I figured some of this crap out finally, and it didn’t haunt me into my 70s and 80s.”No Time Like The Future is set to be released on November 17.
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