Reports about famous people in Hollywood having health problems make us realize that they are just like us. In a recent appearance on Dr. Phil, actress Kathy Bates, who won an Oscar, talked about her fight with cancer and the hard things she had to go through while keeping quiet. Even though she was famous, Bates had to play a brave fighter in a real-life story. She had to fight cancer twice.
She told everyone in 2012 that she had beaten ovarian cancer and had been cancer-free for nine years. She did, however, get the terrible news a few weeks ago that she has breast cancer. She said that the moment she got this terrible news was like being in a room scarier than an American Horror Story.
In 2003, Bates had been through a hard time with ovarian cancer. During her nine months of painful treatment and surgeries, she kept her illness a secret. Few people, including PEOPLE magazine, knew what she was going through. She told them, “I didn’t want anyone to know, but it really took a lot out of me.”
Because she was determined and strong, she beat ovarian cancer and has been cancer-free for many years. Her fight wasn’t over, though, when her doctor told her the cancer had come back, this time in her breast. Even with this setback, Bates wasn’t too shocked because breast cancer runs in her family.
Bates chose to have a double mastectomy to stop the cancer from spreading as part of her fight against it. She didn’t let her disaster break her spirit; instead, she used it to inspire other women. Even when things went wrong, Bates kept her lively personality and sense of fun. She made fun of herself by saying, “I miss ‘Harry’s Law’ more than my breasts.” She also thanked her fans for always being there for her, even when things were bad.
Bates no longer has cancer, but she has lymphedema because her lymph nodes were removed. About 30% of breast cancer survivors have this disease, which causes pain and swelling and makes her daily life uncomfortable. Bates doesn’t want it to define her, though. She is open about her experience because she wants other women to know they are not alone in their fight and to make them more likely to get regular check-ups.
Bates is also an advocate for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN). She uses her fame to help people with lymphedema get more support and information.
Bates has gained a sense of purpose and strength on her journey. She thinks, “I’m thankful that my problems have given me a reason to live.” It’s impressive how things turn out that way.
Kathy Bates’s talk shows the problems she has solved and gives hope to people who may be going through similar problems. Her story shows us that we can turn our own problems into strengths if we are determined, have fun, and get help.
