How Selma Blair Is Prioritizing Self-Care Amid MS Remission

As I delve deeper into Selma Blair‘s journey, I am struck by the indomitable spirit that shines through her struggles. Her life story is a testament to resilience, bravery, and an unwavering zest for life that transcends the physical constraints of her condition.


Sometimes the sweetest thing is taking a moment to rest.

For Selma Blair, managing her public life while facing ongoing health issues such as multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s crucial to remember to carve out moments for self-care too.

At ELLE magazine’s Women in Hollywood event on November 19, she shared with TopMob News that she’s feeling great. She admitted that she needs to take breaks occasionally, but it’s challenging when you’re enthusiastic about things. However, she’s currently doing very well. (Don’t forget to catch more from the ELLE event tonight, Nov. 20 at 11 p.m., on TopMob News.)

The 52-year-old, who has been free from multiple sclerosis symptoms since 2021, also pondered on the happiness she experiences by attending social gatherings.

She enjoys being part of this group of wonderful individuals, especially since we’ve all been stuck indoors for quite some time. She mentioned that she hadn’t been out much recently, or felt well. But now, being able to be out again is a cause for celebration! She relishes seeing everyone happy and enjoying themselves. The atmosphere seems charged with excitement, and she can’t help but soak it all up.

In her leisure moments outside of carpets and events, Selma particularly cherishes spending quality time with her 13-year-old son Arthur, a child she co-parents with her former partner Jason Bleick.

As I prepare to embark on a brief journey, I’m eagerly looking forward to returning home in time for our cherished Thanksgiving celebration. This year, we’ll be keeping it low-key and intimate, celebrating the holiday together with my son and his father.

But, she added, “But yes, it’s possible to find love at 52. And beyond!” 

In my dedication, I too prioritize other aspects of life like my health, my son, and my love life. Yet, I’ve made it a point to stand up for and bring attention to Multiple Sclerosis, a cause close to my heart. This includes expressing solidarity with fellow celebrities who have been diagnosed, such as Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate.

She shared with TopMob News in June that they are being very transparent about their experiences, which she appreciates. She added that Jamie-Lynn and Christina are good friends of hers and she enjoys listening to their conversations and seeing them explore together.

To learn more about Selma’s health experiences, as outlined in her book titled “Introducing, Selma Blair“, continue on with the story.

–Reporting by Daryn Carp

Selma seems to have mastered the art of managing her public success alongside her personal life. To top it off, she’s been seen with a new secret admirer lately.

She shared with Us Weekly in an interview published in July that she desired a man from the Midwest, and indeed, she found a genuine Midwesterner.

Though she’s kept his name a secret, Selma did add some details as to how they first connected.

She shared that she spotted him sitting at a distance over the table, and now they’re in a relationship. To maintain privacy, she decided not to disclose his identity, stating that it’s ideal for relationships to avoid media attention whenever feasible.

Yet finding someone was no walk in the park, as she noted, “Fitting anything in as a mother wanting to build a career and figure out when you’re going to get your blood treatments in, a boyfriend falls by the wayside really easily. That’s why I would never want to get married. It’s a major setup to fail.”

But, she added, “But yes, it’s possible to find love at 52. And beyond!” 

Apart from focusing on her personal matters like health, family, and relationships, Selma has additionally taken steps to support and bring attention to Multiple Sclerosis. This includes expressing solidarity with fellow celebrities who have been diagnosed with the condition, such as Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate.

In June, TopMob News was informed by her that Jamie-Lynn and Christina are being quite transparent about their adventures, which I truly appreciate. They are dear friends of mine, and I enjoy every moment I spend listening to their heartfelt conversations and witnessing their discoveries together.

To learn more about Selma’s health story, as outlined in her memoir titled “Introducing, Selma Blair“, continue on.

–Reporting by Daryn Carp

In June 2018, about two months before her diagnosis, Selma Blair recorded a video diary on her phone which revealed she was having difficulty writing and texting. She suspected that the muscle spasms she had been experiencing, including one in her left leg during Christian Siriano’s Fall/Winter 2018 show at New York Fashion Week in March, might be linked to her beloved hobby of horseback riding.

In fact, she reveals, she’d felt off since the birth of her son, Arthur, in 2011. 

She remembers being informed by doctors that her feelings were simply sadness, given her role as a mother and her overwhelming situation. However, in her efforts to understand her condition, her symptoms were attributed to postpartum depression instead.

Blair found herself emotionally vulnerable following the birth of Arthur, a state that was reminiscent of how she had felt when her mother, Molly (who bore a striking resemblance to Blair), had informed her that she wasn’t cut out for marriage or motherhood.

It has been revealed that the actress’ complex, at times harshly critical relationship with her mother, who passed away last year amid the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and unable to be present with family in Detroit, has significantly impacted her life. Despite having good reason to want to separate herself from her mother (Molly reportedly reacted negatively to her daughter’s breakthrough role in “Cruel Intentions” by questioning the excessive use of tongue during her kiss with Sarah Michelle Gellar), Blair harbors love for her nevertheless. She ponders whether her mom, who seems to have struggled with depression, may not have supported her in an attempt to toughen her up, suggesting that life won’t always be kind and one must learn to navigate it independently.

She’s trying to figure out if she got her mom’s perspective because her mind gets taken over sometimes, as well.

Obtaining a diagnosis offered some relief compared to not knowing, she remembers, since it allowed her to take action. However, she soon confronted the harsh truth of her deteriorating health issues and realized that her medications weren’t effective. As shared by her confidante, Bonny Burke (one of the individuals featured in the film), it was actress Jennifer Grey who suggested stem cell transplants to Blair. She mentioned that her friend’s brother had been cured of an autoimmune disorder following a procedure at Northwestern.

Considering her choices, Blair opts to take the plunge, disregarding the advice from an anonymous companion who thought she wouldn’t make it through the ordeal.

Blair experiences both good and challenging days. At certain instances, she manages to navigate steep terrains on her Studio City, California property without much aid from her cane. Conversely, there are moments when her mobility seems restricted. However, she cherishes simple accomplishments like preparing strawberries independently in June 2019, as it was something she couldn’t do just a few months prior.

In her heartfelt moments with Arthur, clearly the center of her world, Blair recalls an episode from 2016 when she had a momentary lapse during a flight with her son (who was fortunately asleep with his headphones on) and his father, her ex-partner Jason Bleick. This regrettable incident, which she swiftly apologized for in the public eye, led her to make a vow never to consume alcohol again.

She admits, “That was the most regrettable act I’ve committed as a parent, and I’m grateful no one was harmed. It’s fortunate that I acted so recklessly when his father was present.

Additionally, she recalls experiencing discomfort during that journey, which prompted her to combine medication with alcohol, an occurrence among many others that makes her ponder if Multiple Sclerosis might have been gradually affecting her life long before the official diagnosis.

Before heading to Chicago for a stem cell transplant, which involves several stages starting with initial chemotherapy, she has Arthur shave her head so he wouldn’t be taken aback when he sees her without hair after her return.

Following my first round of chemotherapy, my journey continues with a thorough personal assessment where doctors deliberately challenge my mental strength to test my resilience. I’m preparing myself for this by administering self-injections, in anticipation of having my cells harvested. Subsequently, I’ll endure five grueling days of high-intensity chemotherapy and hospital isolation. On the final day, with a weary smile on my face, I eagerly anticipate tomorrow as the birthday of my new body.

She receives the transplant, followed by the engraftment phase where they hope the cells will attach successfully. In one scene, she describes her taste as that of dirty pennies, and in another, she humorously uses a lint-roller on her bald head. Nine days post-transplant, she’s already playing with baby hands and practicing her Fosse dance moves using a cane. After 19 days of seclusion, she is finally released from the hospital.

Afterward, there arises an intense feeling of injustice (for us, but especially for her!), as what she had experienced didn’t fully resolve her issues. Even after a considerable amount of time had passed, Blair acknowledges that she’s “disappointed with the process,” grappling with maintaining equilibrium, her sight, and nearly all the troubles that she faced before.

An encounter with cancer survivor Robin Roberts at the TIME 100 Health Summit makes her feel better, the Good Morning America anchor sharing that it took two years before she really felt right after undergoing a bone marrow transplant to treat a rare blood disorder.

In a series of challenges, she discovered that her Los Angeles-based physician disclosed an unmentioned issue – damage to the gray matter in her brain, which influences muscle coordination, memory, speech, and emotions. Previously, none of the numerous doctors she consulted or tests/scans she underwent had raised this concern, according to her.

However, by the time the film reaches Blair in the spring and summer of 2020, it’s clear that she’s faring much better. She’s seen celebrating with friends at a cozy birthday bash in her garden and frolicking with Arthur in the water.

Although she doesn’t lack days when the limitations of what she hasn’t mastered yet leave her feeling low, going out in public remains more taxing on her body and mind than relaxing at home. On those occasions when she resumes riding after a long absence, she finds herself disappointed as she can only muster 10 seconds of trotting at a stretch.

Her teacher encourages her, saying, “Remember, you managed it for ten seconds just now – think about that! It’s amazing how long it’s been since you were last capable of doing something similar for such a duration.

Just as skillfully cutting a strawberry signifies small yet significant advancement, each step towards progress is a move in the correct direction.

At some stage, she expresses astonishment at the fact that she, as a disabled individual, assists others with similar disabilities. Yet, she finds fulfillment in being able to help anyone, whether it’s simply making them more comfortable about using a cane, and this has given her life meaning.

In the movie’s closing scene, she admits, “I’m content,” as she leaps into the newly refurbished pool, dressed in her mother’s ‘magician dress.’ This outfit was forbidden to her when her mother was alive, but now carries a deeper significance since her passing. In the pool, Blair discards the dress, allowing it to sink to the bottom, symbolizing letting go of her past as she swims towards her future.

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2024-11-20 22:58