Suzanne Somers (three's company) dead at age 76

[Demovictory9]

https://pagesix.com/2023/10/15/suzanne-somers-dead-at-76-following-cancer-battle/

[czarjak]

1. Chrissy! R. I. P.

[Sky Jewels]

3. A 50-year battle with cancer!

RIP Suzanne.

[True Dough]

6. Didn't realize it had been that long

But remember first hearing about it in the news many years ago. If I recall correctly, she chose to stick with holistic treatments instead of chemotherapy.

RIP!

[Nixie]

45. She also had a lumpectomy instead of mastectomy if I remember from reading parts of her book.

Not that I'm a doctor, and everyone has their own personal choices, but going as aggressive against cancer is usually best from what I've heard -- mastectomy/chemo. She did a great job of fighting it for so long, though, so who is to say what could have been. She wasn't young, but maybe could have lived longer than 76.

[malaise]

54. To survive cancer for 50 years is quite amazing

Good for her - at my age I would certainly avoid chemo.

[Ms. Toad]

65. It depends a lot on the cancer.

I'm the 5th breast cancer in 4 generations.

Two of the generations are still living (with a total of about 45 years since diagnoses) without metastasis. The two earlier generations died with cancer, not from it. I had a simple lumpectomy and radiation. My mother has had a double mastectomy - mostly because she never liked her breasts much anyway. My grandmother is the only metastasis - her diagnosis was later and, although her cancer did metastasize, she lived about 40 years after her diagnosis.

Some breast cancers are very aggressive - some aren't. Mastectomy for me would have been overkill (my opinion) - and no one even offered chemo.

I also have a second cancer - an extremely aggressive sarcoma. My treatment has been limited to watching it carefully. Radiation minimizes the risk of local recurrence - but does not alter the risk of metastasis. And, this particular kind of cancer, is not susceptible to chemo. Radiation was offered (I turned it down with the approval of the doctor I am working with most closely). The cancer is rare enough that there is not good data as to whether the risks of radiation outweigh the benefits. From a medical perspective, it was a coin toss. Again - no one even offered chemo.

[triron]

66. You sound as if you have a great attitude.

Bet that counts for a lot of your immune response.

[Nixie]

67. Wow, you and your family have dealt with so much with some excellent results that

are encouraging. I know each cancer is different, as well as treatments. As I wrote that, I did think that many are not even offered chemo. I think if you have the BRCA gene, as Angelina Jolie had, that you can get an elective mastectomy. The circumstances are so vastly differing, but I have observed that a lot of the recurrences are from lumpectomies with radiation instead of more aggressive treatments. I'm so glad to hear you are going strong. It seems you and your family have caught the situations early enough to manage for long periods of time and that is the absolute best situation.

Thanks for sharing your personal journey about BC.

[Ms. Toad]

70. It's more that the form we have is relatively benign.

They are a lot better at differentiating types. They did general genetic testing, tumor testing at the beginning, and at 5 years (since the knowledge has changed during my surveillance period.

None of that was available to me grandmother or Great grandmother. I think my mom had general genetic testing.

The standard when I was diagnosed for my cancer was 5 years on one aromatase inhibitor, then 5 more years in a second. Based on the second tumor analysis, the recommendation was to skip the second aromatase inhibitor.

Preventative mastectomies are a mixed bag. I was eligible, but declined. One of the problems is that people who have mastectomies tend to believe they are safe, and get complacent about self examination (or have so much aversion to their current bodies that they can't bring themselves to check regularly). Unfortunately, no mastectomy removes all breast tissue, so there is still a risk of recurrence. Breast implants can also hide any cancer growing behind the implant.

[Nixie]

73. Sounds like you know the plan and are very compliant with what the doctors recommend.

I've also heard of people who don't like the hormone blockers (are those the aromatase inhibitors?) and find all kinds of reasons to quit taking them. Seems like a big mistake.

You are right about the complacency. A lot of people don't comply with what their own doctors tell them. And a lot just get a late start with their care and then have to deal with more complications down the line.

So they monitor your tumor via ultrasound, I would guess. Good news that the form you have is so controllable.

[Ms. Toad]

75. Sort of

Aromatase is an enzyme that is used to convert other hormones into estrogen. So aromatase inhibitors block the enzyme, which results in lower estrogen. They are pretty innocuous. I had to stop them while I was healing from a broken, since they caused leg cramps that were too painful to tolerate. Other than the cramps I had no side effects.

Surveillance for breast cancer was an annual mammogram + a visit with one of three members of the breast care team every 4 months for 5 years.

Surveillance for the sarcoma was a CT scan or x-ray every 3 months for the first two years to check for lung metastasis + manual exam to check for local recurrence. I just shifted to 6 months surveillance (for the next 3 years).

[SunSeeker]

16. The People article said she fought breast cancer for 23 years.

Did she have a different cancer before that?

[Sky Jewels]

18. I was wondering about that too, and looked it up.

This article talks about it:

She was ...diagnosed with breast cancer in her 50s, skin cancer in her 30s, and “dealt with two hyperplasia” in her 20s, according to Hamel.

[TexasBushwhacker]

71. Just 23 years

Still, that's a long time to survive without conventional therapy. After her first diagnosis, she only had a lumpectomy and radiation; no chemotherapy even though it was recommended.

[Sky Jewels]

72. No, it was 50 years. She got diagnosed with another form in her 20s.

This article was badly written and didn't explain that. Here's an article that does.

...diagnosed with breast cancer in her 50s, skin cancer in her 30s, and “dealt with two hyperplasia” in her 20s, according to Hamel.

[hlthe2b]

4. Oh, wow.. That's a sad notice. I thought she'd been doing pretty well.

From what I've read she was genuinely a nice person, too.

[dalton99a]

7. This article was posted a few hours ago:

[Elessar Zappa]

12. People just updated their Twitter a few minutes ago to report she is dead.

[Demovictory9]

13. People mag just updated: . "Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th.

Somers died on Sunday morning, PEOPLE confirms. She was 76.

“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” Somers’ longtime publicist R. Couri Hay wrote in a statement shared on behalf of the actress’ family.

“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” the statement continued. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”

https://people.com/suzanne-somers-dead-at-76-8358227

[Liberal In Texas]

37. Boy does that suck. RIP.

I'm glad to hear her family was around.

[Hugin]

22. ...

I had a chance meeting with her several years ago. We had a pleasant conversation waiting in line for something or another.

[BootinUp]

5. Oh no, that might make me cry. nt

[dalton99a]

8. R.I.P.

[True Dough]

9. I believe Joyce Dewitt is still alive?

Jack and Chrissy are now departed. And the talented Ralph Furley (Don Knotts) is gone too, of course.

[Demovictory9]

15. Yes. Dewiit is alive and the two women who replaced Suzanne. Actress who played don Knott's wife

Died long time ago

[OnlinePoker]

38. And don't forget Stanley and Helen Roper

Norman Fell and Audra Lindley were great and died in the late 90's.

[Lunabell]

10. RIP

Little Chrissy. You were the quintessential dumb blond that was a brilliant woman in reality.

[JohnSJ]

11. Fuck cancer

[617Blue]

14. I think I still have that poster somewhere...RIP

[Demovictory9]

25. This one?

[bdamomma]

17. Oh

Suzanne Somers, she was something else in that role (Chrissy) RIP. You made me laugh.

[Upthevibe]

19. Demovictory9 ..........

R.I.P.,

[niyad]

20. Requiescat in pace, good soul.

[moof]

21. a great scene in a great film

[Demovictory9]

23. They were all so young

[flashman13]

26. Yes we were.

[2naSalit]

55. +1

[LetMyPeopleVote]

24. May she rest in peace

[Duppers]

27. Aww, geees. 😞

And she was a health-food person, according to her many interviews.

[Farmer-Rick]

31. Well, to some extent

She did advocate hormone replacement therapy. So, not sure how healthy that is.

But she seemed to do well.

Sorry to lose her. She seemed like a kind hearted person.

[BonnieJW]

44. She took bio-identical hormones

Huge difference.

[Farmer-Rick]

68. Well, I'm not sure there's such a big difference

"Breast cancer risk appears to be higher with daily progesterone (continuous combination HRT) than with less frequent progesterone (sequential or cyclical combination HRT). This increase in risk applies to bioidentical and natural hormone products as well as synthetic hormones."

https://www.cwhwichita.com/blog/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy-vs-traditional-hrt#:~:text=The%20major%20difference%20between%20BHRT,horses%20and%20other%20synthetic%20hormones.

There's a lot of data out there about the generic risk of HRT. So, decide for yourself if it's a good thing for you. But I wouldn't go into HRT even with Bioidentical hormones without considering all the side effects.

I'm a big organic supporter, so I understand how a more organic hormone could be better for you then animal and synthetic derived hormones. But there are known side effects for all of them and people should consider all the consequences.

[JoseBalow]

28. I remember when she was on Battle of the Network Stars

[Demovictory9]

29. Bruce Jenner with that hair!

[JoseBalow]

30. We used to call it the Dorothy Hamill cut

[Demovictory9]

51. I had something similar..a bob that turned under ..I got sick of it eventually

[Iggo]

33. When he was running, though, that hair was glorious!

[ShazzieB]

47. I think we should use female pronouns and refer to Jenner as Caitlyn.

I know it can feel a little odd in the case of someone like Jenner, who became famous for things she accomplished long before transitioning, especially when looking at a photo taken back then. But "Bruce" is Caitlyn Jenner's "dead name," and using dead names is a no-no. Even when referring to someone famous under their dead name.

Here's an article that talks about why names and pronouns are extremely important to trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-deadnaming-and-why-is-it-harmful-5188575

[Demovictory9]

52. When referring to the person back then? I don't think the person meant disrespect

[ShazzieB]

58. I am SURE no disrespect was meant, and never intended to imply that.

But yes, i believe we should avoid using dead names when referring to someone pre-transition, even when it's someone famous. I wasn't 100% sure about this myself, so I did some googling before I posted because I didn't want to get it wrong.

As I said, I know it can feel awkward when talking about someone like Jenner who was world famous under her dead name. But everything I've read says that we should make an effort to avoid using dead names and pre-transition pronouns in all cases. Why? Because it's something we should get in the habit of doing automatically, instead of making exceptions for people like Jenner.

A thing only feels awkward until we get used to it. I believe that this is something we all need to get used to.

I know that no disrespect has been meant to anyone here, by myself or anyone else, and that there has been no intention to make anyone uncomfortable. As someone who aspires to be a good (or at least halfway decent) ally to the LBGTQIA+ community, I'm always going to prioritize what makes trans people feel most comfortable over what makes cis people feel most comfortable. You are of course welcome to believe and/or prioritize differently.

[JoseBalow]

59. That's a good question. Should we refer to pre-transition people using post-transition pronouns?

Is there a before and after protocol to pronouns and names? Like that was Bruce then, and this is Caitlyn now? Or should she always be referred to as Caitlyn, regardless? Is it an individual choice, or is there like a default rule to follow?

I wouldn't want to inadvertently offend anyone

[ShazzieB]

61. I wasn't sure about that myself, so I did some googling before commenting.

From what I, a cishet outsider, have been able to glean from my research, we can never go wrong by avoiding the use of dead names, so I feel most comfortable following that principle.

I don't think referring to the person who won the olympic decathlon gold medal as "Bruce" is heinously terrible. I just think avoiding the use of dead names is a habit we should all try to get into.

[Demovictory9]

62. Thanks for researching the issue. I hope a few of DUers Trans folk chime in

[ShazzieB]

63. Yes, I hope we hear from some of our trans members, too.

They are a valuable part of our community, and I'm always interested in what they have to say.

[Demovictory9]

50. It was!!!

😅

[Poiuyt]

39. I remember when SNL did a skit called Battle of the Network T and A.

We had some guy at work going that it was a real show, but that he missed it.

[JoseBalow]

41. I mean, that's really what it was! And don't forget SCTV's Battle of the PBS Network Stars!

Howard Cosell & Dick Cavett present SCTV’s Battle of the PBS Network stars. Watch as William F. Buckley’s and Carl Sagan’s teams battle it out in this epic display of physical prowess and strength.

[Iggo]

49. It was real enough for Kotter and Pappy Boyington.

[JoseBalow]

60. I found the SNL skit on YouTube, but I ain't posting it here!

[Iggo]

32. "Come and knock on my doooooor...."

RIP, kiddo.

Thanks for the laughs.

[GreenWave]

36. That is running through my mind too.

[oregonjen]

34. I had forgotten, she was fired from Three's Company because she wanted a salary equal

to John Ritter’s. They treated her horribly for fighting for equal pay.

[Demovictory9]

53. I hadn't forgotten...her husband tried to negotiate and she lost the role

[TexasBushwhacker]

74. John Ritter was the star

She might have deserved a raise, but expecting equal pay to the star was ludicrous and cost her the job.

[Snackshack]

35. R.I.P.

So sad.

I loved this show. These 3 + Mr. & Mrs. Roper and the Handyman. Sad to hear this.

The shows back then look so innocent now, Barney Miller, Marcus Welby MD, 8 is Enough, Love Boat… the most on edge show that I remember and loved was Soap.
Bert’s snapping his fingers disappearing act, Benson, Billy Crystal and the dummy w/ no filter, Mrs. Tate, crazy general grandpa every character just hit it out of the park on that show. You tube has some episodes and it’s still funny AF.

[Quanto Magnus]

40. RIP

[iluvtennis]

42. May Suzanne Somers Rest in Peace and May her Memory be a Blessing. n/t

[RandySF]

43. I LOVED her.

And who could forget this?

[Nixie]

46. I always looked up to her for some reason. She was a child of an alcoholic, as I recall.

She had a very interesting story. edit: Her book "Keeping Secrets" was about her alcoholic father.

I swear I saw her driving headed to Palm Springs one day! I saw a bleach blonde in a white Mercedes speeding by and it looked just like her.

[FelineOverlord]

48. She loved Trump, apparently

Suzanne Somers Says Praising Donald Trump is Career Suicide

https://www.tmz.com/watch/0-p2s8h2e7/

Suzanne Somers praises Trump: ‘I’m happy about him’

https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/370123-suzanne-somers-praises-trump-im-happy-about-him/

[Demovictory9]

56. Ugh

[Demovictory9]

57. Ugh

[UTUSN]

64. Yip, her friends called it her "loving her country"

The bell tolls for all and any, ideology aside.

Some of her friends, in the link:

* Monica CROWLEY
* Megyn KELLY
* Tammy BRUCE
* Adam CAROLLA

********QUOTE******

https://deadline.com/2023/10/suzanne-somers-reactions-to-death-by-friends-1235574321/

Suzanne Somers Friends Remember Her Many Faceted Career In Mourning Posts

*******UNQUOTE*****

[MorbidButterflyTat]

69. The last time I saw her

was an infomercial hawking some skin product. She said her stuff was better than petroleum jelly because people get petroleum jelly from the gas station.

Not a fan of that show or her.