"Mob Wives" star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola is facing cancer the second time around. TMZ reports that her throat cancer has returned, and that it's getting "especially bad."
According to family sources, Raiola found out the bad news while having a routine check-up. The doctors told her that not only is the cancer back, it has also spread to various parts of her body.
Last March, doctors found a lemon-sized malignant tumor on Raiola's throat. The 55-year-old reality star bravely underwent multiple surgeries and aggressive treatment on her lymph nodes. By October she was declared cancer-free.
"Things happen for a reason. I'd smoked for 40 years. No one could tell me what to do," Raiola told People Magazine last September. "The doctors are saying that I'm a very lucky person. I caught this at stage 2."
Despite the grim news, Raiola's family members are said to be optimistic. The reality star is known to be feisty and a fierce fighter, and she has promised herself to come out of this disease stronger.
"She has vowed to beat cancer once, and she will beat it once again," family insiders reportedly said.
"Thanking you for love & concern. I'm fighting because of your support. Focusing on brighter things like the holidays & the new season," the reality star recently tweeted.
Raiola has just wrapped up the final season of VH1's "Couple's Therapy." She appeared on the show with her husband of six years, 42-year-old Neil Murphy. Though Murphy has been supportive of her throughout her ordeal, Raiola admitted that this particular year hasn't been easy for the two of them.
"Cancer puts a lot of pressure on your marriage," she revealed.
Raiola will return to reality television on Jan. 13, 2016 when "Mob Wives" premieres its Season 7 on VH1. Her ongoing battle against cancer is said to be a part of the season's storyline.
Thanking you for love & concern. I'm fighting because of your support. Focusing on brighter things like the holidays & the new season.
