The 46-year-old '3rd Rock from the Sun' star could have ended up quadriplegic had she gone late for the treatment, according to her doctor, reported People Magazine.
"Every single day is a gift, and I don't take one second of it for granted," she said, adding, "If I had to live like that forever, I would have killed myself."
Johnston was clueless what had happened to her and she went to 17 doctors, who could not fugure out the problem.
She checked into the hospital for treatment, including chemotherapy and steroids and now after six months, she is in remission. "But if she had waited a few weeks longer, she could have ended up quadriplegic," the doctor said.
Though she is still recovering, Johnston suffered a shattered bone during a hike recently, due to side effects of her treatment. "Every day I'm amazed that I can lift my head," the actress said.
