After Double Mastectomy, Miranda McKeon Undergoes Second Surgery

It's been a whirlwind year for "Anne with an E" star Miranda McKeon. The 19-year-old actress and college sophomore was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, underwent a double mastectomy in November, and on Friday, December 17, 2021, had a second surgery to remove her lymph nodes.

McKeon, who plays Josie Pye in the Netflix Original series, shared the news in a video update on Instagram. "There's just been tons of back and forth this month and a lot of emotions. I think I've probably cried every day," she told her fans.

She had two lymph nodes test positive for cancer during her biopsy earlier in the year, and four were removed during her double mastectomy. She also had "a positive margin in the breast area, which is kind of common when the tumor is right up against the skin," she explained.

But, after consulting with her doctors, McKeon decided to have a follow-up surgery. "Basically, I decided to have all of my lymph nodes removed, and I'm going to take out a piece of skin down here," she said, pointing to the side of her left breast.

"I'll probably be able to sleep really well knowing that everything's gone for the rest of my life," McKeon said about the decision.

Unfortunately, the second procedure means delaying McKeon's radiation therapy, which will disrupt her second semester at the University of Southern California. McKeon described the change in plans as "really annoying" and "frustrating."

'I'll probably be able to sleep really well knowing that everything's gone for the rest of my life.'

"These are just cancer in college girl problems," McKeon continued. "I was so looking forward to a semester without anything, because obviously first semester I was carting back and forth doing chemo and losing my hair. Second semester I was going to be done and just focused on being a regular college student."

McKeon shared she will be able to attend the first couple of weeks of the semester, but then will take a six-week leave of absence to head home to New Jersey. She will receive proton radiation therapy at a clinic in Harlem.

"I found that out yesterday, and I'm just like, so bummed about it," she said. "I sobbed for a long time yesterday. But whatever, I'll take the change and adapt to it, as I always do. But that just is so frustrating, I can't even begin to get into it."

She ended her video on an upbeat note, thanking everyone for watching, especially her mom's friends who she said always tune in for her updates. "You guys are the real ones," she said, pointing at the camera. "They always keep up with my content."

"Wish me luck," she said. "Actually, don't even need it, it's going to be totally fine and more simple than the last time."