Blink 182 bassist Mark Hoppus has spoken of how his cancer diagnosis made him question whether he wanted to live.
The 50-year-old revealed in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma before announcing in September of the same year that he was cancer free. Looking back on the darkest times of his illness, Hoppus recalled crying in his living room as he told his wife Skye that he didn't know if he could fight the disease.
In a new interview with People, Hoppus spoke about the “dark” thoughts he had at the time, as well as trying to return to normal almost a year on from being given the all clear. In one emotional exchange, Hoppus explained how his wife asked him if he was going to kill himself and, although that had been on his mind, the blunt nature of the question helped him to snap out of his negative thoughts.
He told the publication: "I was like, 'What a s****y thing to say'. But also, what a kind thing to say, like, 'Snap out of it... you have a beatable form of cancer. It's going to suck to get there, but get there'. I had to do the work."
Hoppus was given a stage four cancer diagnosis, meaning the cancer had spread from the lymph nodes to at least one other organ according to the American Cancer Society. However, despite lymphoma being more treatable at an advanced stage than some other cancers, that did not spare Hoppus from a “brutal” chemotherapy course.
“I had no energy and ended up being on the couch just trying to get through the day,” he added. “I had the worst brain fog.”
Among the issues rock star Hopper experienced, was an occasion when he was having dinner with friends and realised that he could no longer remember the name of one of their husbands. Despite still struggling to recall certain words, Hoppus – whose hits with Blink 182 include All The Small Things and I Miss You – says that his memory is beginning to improve.
Having discovered an unusual lump, Hoppus sent a text to his doctor joking that it was “either a pulled muscle or a deadly lymphoma,” only to find that his quip was remarkably accurate. Medics then found further tumours in his stomach and abdomen, as well as one the size of a grape in his neck.
However, after five months of treatment and with his cancer in remission, Hoppus is keen to get back to enjoying life.
“Today I'm doing good,” he said. “The recovery is taking a lot longer than I had hoped, but I am in a much better place. I feel like I have a second shot at life.”
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
