Staying strong! Julia Louis-Dreyfus is not going to let cancer break her spirit. The Veep star, 57, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September and in early November, she started her third round of chemotherapy. Then, in February, she shared she was “ready to rock” post-surgery.

And now, she’s finally back on her hit show Veep after a short hiatus! “She won’t tell you this because she tries to be strong, but she was very scared,” a source told Closer Weekly in a new exclusive interview. “She’s feeling good! She has more energy and, as she says, ‘verve,’ than she’s had in a long time. She’s thrilled — and very grateful.”

However, Julia is taking her return to work very slow.  “She paces herself,” the insider told Closer. “She’s been writing, acting, helping friends out with their projects and doing table reads.” And she doesn’t want her cancer diagnosis to affect how she’s treated on set. “Julia’s big on just being one of the gang. She doesn’t want anything to draw attention to her on set,” the source added.

On Thursday, Aug. 9, Julia shared a photo of herself looking happy as ever with the cast behind the scenes for a table read. “Guys, we just learned how to take a picture of ourselves on my phone! How cool is this? @veephbo Table read episodes 2 & 3 Season 7, baby!” she captioned the selfie, which included many of her co-stars including Matt Walsh, Anna Chlumsky, and Tony Hale. Season 6 of the hit show previously aired its season finale in June 2017, just a few months before Julia revealed her diagnosis to the world.

Just last month, Julia also shared photos of herself looking happy and healthy during a Hawaii vacation. “Hiding in the bushes outside the Blue Ginger Cafe. #Lanai,” she captioned one selfie. A clip of her dancing read, “Aloha baby! #Lanai.” Another was of her with her husband, Brad Hall, with the caption, “Had to crop this photo. You’re welcome. #Lanai.”

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Aloha baby! #lanai

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A source recently told Closer Weekly that Julia was eager to continue her role POTUS Selina Meyer on her HBO comedy for its seventh and final season. “She couldn’t wait to get back to work. She loves it,” noted the friend. “She keeps a light, happy, joke-filled set and that’s what she wants to continue.”

Earlier this year, the actress shared a stunning portrait alongside a positive post-surgery health update for her fans. “Hoorah! Great doctors, great results, feeling happy and ready to rock after surgery. Hey cancer, ‘F–k you!’ Here’s my first post op photo,” she wrote at the time.

In a November exclusive interview, a friend of the Julia’s told Closer Weekly that she’s also been focusing on a holistic approach to treatment. “She’s getting massages, acupuncture, Reiki, and doing yoga,” the pal said. “Julia’s a bit more tired and [treatment] has affected her appetite, but she’s confident and strong. Fatigue is an issue, but she’s not letting that get in the way of her work.”

And she’s continuing that strategy now. “She was a little more lethargic when she was doing chemotherapy,” the insider just told Closer. “But her energy’s back to normal now. She’s also doing yoga and acupuncture again, and she spends a lot of times outdoors.”

The Seinfeld star previously revealed via Instagram on Thursday, Sept. 28 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. “[One in eight] women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality,” she wrote at the time. 

But now that she’s overcome some hard times, she’s considering a Broadway show once Veep ends. “She also loves to write, so she’ll maybe do a book based on her experience of surviving this past year,” a source told Closer. “She’ll never work less. This is Julia’s second chance at life, so she’s not taking anything for granted ever again.” We’re glad you’re feeling better, Julia!