Dustin Diamond is ‘going through a lot of pain’ amid his cancer battle.
The 44-year-old actor – who is best known for his role as Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers in Saved By The Bell – was taken to hospital in Florida earlier this month after feeling pain all over his body, and it was later confirmed he is suffering from stage four cancer.
Dustin Diamond is ‘going through a lot of pain’ amid his cancer battle
And now, sources have said the actor is ‘going to be in the hospital for a while’ as he undergoes treatment, and going through ‘ups and downs’ both physically and emotionally.
The insider said: ‘It’s not good, it’s not good at all. He’s going to be in the hospital for a while. He’s getting through his treatments now. It’s tough, it’s very hard.
‘He’s going through a lot of pain, but he still keeps his spirits up. Right now, he’s just suffering. He has his ups and downs where he’s great one minute, but then he can be in a lot of pain – tears. It’s such an emotional time.’
But Dustin has the full support of his loved ones, who are ‘calling him every day’ to make sure he’s okay.
The source added to Us Weekly magazine: ‘Those close to him try calling him every day to try to cheer him up. He has a handful of people who are in his close circle — his girlfriend being one of them. They have no idea when he can go home.’
Sad twist: The 44-year-old actor – who is best known for his role as Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers in Saved By The Bell – was taken to hospital in Florida earlier this month after feeling pain all over his body, and it was later confirmed he is suffering from stage four cancer
Dustin’s hospitalization was reported on January 12, and just says later, a representative for the actor confirmed the news.
His rep said: ‘At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. Dustin will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made.
‘We ask everyone to respect Dustin’s privacy during this difficult time. All positivity and prayers are appreciated.’
Dustin’s team also provided fans with postal and email addresses to send letters to the actor to send their support but stressed they shouldn’t be used for autograph requests.
This comes after former SBTB co-star Mario Lopez said he was ‘praying’ Dustin will beat cancer.
Tough setback: Dustin’s hospitalization was reported on January 12, and just says later, a representative for the actor confirmed the news. His rep said: ‘At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. Dustin will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made
The 47-year-old actor has taken to Instagram to voice his support for his friend.
Alongside some throwback photos with his former co-star, Mario – who played A.C. Slater on the sitcom – wrote: ‘I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he’ll overcome this. Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God Bless.’
News of Dustin’s cancer diagnosis was revealed on January 14 when the actor’s team released a statement via Facebook and promised to reveal ‘more information once it is available’.
His hit show: On Saved By The Bell; (l-r) Mario Lopez as Alabert Clifford ‘A.C.’ Slater, Dennis Haskins as Mr. Richard Belding, Lark Voorhies as Lisa Turtle, Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano, Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zachary ‘Zach’ Morris, Diamond as Screech Powers
Almost 20 years ago: The star seen in 2002 at the 75th Anniversary celebration of NBC at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC
In the statement, the team said: ‘At this time, we can confirm Dustin does have cancer. [He] will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made.’
The team asked that ‘everyone respect Dustin’s privacy during this difficult time’.
The statement added: ‘All positivity and prayers are appreciated.’
A spokesperson for the actor called the diagnosis ‘serious’ and confirmed it was stage four, but explained Dustin is still undergoing tests in hospital and will be there ‘for a while’.
The representative added: ‘He’s undergoing chemo so he will be there at least another week and then we will figure out when he gets to come home.
The good ole days: Thiessen, Gosselaar, Diamond and Lopez in 1996
Prayers please: Lopez is ‘praying’ Dustin will beat cancer. The 47-year-old actor has taken to Instagram to voice his support for his former Saved by the Bell co-star, whose team recently revealed has has been diagnosed with a stage four form of the disease; seen in 2016
‘By next week, we’ll have a much better understanding of the severity of his condition and what treatments he will need so that he’s comfortable.’
Dustin is said to be feeling ‘fine’ at the moment, a significant improvement on when he was admitted to hospital.
The spokesperson said: ‘He was fading in and out, feeling sleepy and tired. On top of all this he also has shingles, so he’s been in a lot of pain.’
Another representative for the actor explained his issues began with ‘a huge lump on his throat.’
Another show: Diamond and Courtney Stodden on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013