Olivia Munn has shared her experiences with mom guilt during her emotional journey with breast cancer. In April 2023, she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer after tests indicated the presence of luminal B, a fast-growing and aggressive form of cancer in both breasts.
Since then, she has undergone five surgeries, which included a lymph node dissection, double mastectomy, and hysterectomy. During a live interview on the Today show with Savannah Guthrie on October 23, the actress revealed her scars for the first time through photos from her SKIMS campaign.
Olivia and John Mulaney welcome their newborn daughter Méi June via surrogate
Throughout her treatment, Munn has also been caring for her two-year-old son, Malcolm Hiệp, with her husband, John Mulaney.
The couple welcomed their newborn daughter, Méi June, last month via surrogate, and Munn admitted that she continues to grapple with feelings of guilt over her absence during her treatment. “I experienced a lot of guilt then and still do for being unwell for such an extended period and being bedridden for many of my surgeries,” she told Guthrie.
Reflecting on her recovery, she noted, “I assumed that once I got through the first series of surgeries—those four in quick succession—I would be able to get back on my feet. However, the first wave of medication hit me hard, leaving me completely debilitated.”
Sadly, her surgeries and the effects of medication made routine activities with her son, like lifting him and going to the playground, increasingly challenging. “I realized I was constantly tired and less available. I couldn’t hold him or take him to the playground as much, and it was truly exhausting. The guilt was overwhelming,” she expressed.
Currently, Munn is focusing on maintaining a positive outlook and cherishing every moment spent with her family. “I work closely with my oncologist to determine what I can manage.
Our family is small but very close-knit, and we have a lot of fun together; we laugh constantly,” she explained. “John is an incredible husband and father, and we find ways to make it all work, even on the days when I feel completely worn out.”
