Kristen Johnston On Living With Lupus: '3rd Rock' and 'Ex's' Starlet Says 'Every Single Day Is A Gift'

Ex's and 3rd Rock From The Sun star Kristen Johnston has publicly revealed her battle with lupus to People magazine. 

Johnston thought something was amiss last summer when she found it difficult to climb a flight of stairs. 

Normally energetic and healthy Johnston, 46, took a leave of absence from work and instead filled her time with endless doctor's visits and medical tests. For months, she didn't know what was wrong - until she paid a visit to rheumatologist Dr. Daniel J. Wallace, who diagnosed her with lupus myelitis.

Lupus myelitis is a rare auto immune disease that effects the spinal cord. By the time Johnston was diagnosed, she was very weak and barely able to lift her neck without the aid of a brace. Johnston said, "If I had to live like that forever, I would have killed myself."

Dr. Wallace said Johnston came to him at just the right time: "If she'd waited a few weeks longer, she could have ended up quadriplegic."

Johnston immediately checked herself into the hospital were she started receiving treatment, which included chemotherapy and steroids. She suffered a small health setback after shattering a bone during a hike, due to side effects of her treatment, but is currently in remission. 

Living with a disease (Johnston also previously battled addiction issues)  taught her to cherish every moment. "When you go from your best friend having to give you a bath, being in a wheelchair and no doctor being able to diagnose you to feeling great a few months later, every single day is a gift, and I don't take one second of it for granted. I know I'm so lucky to be sober and healthy."

via People