admin
There’s no one quite as both frightening and funny as Kathy Bates, who has garnered accolades for her performances across comedies, dramas, and thrillers.
Her current portrayal as a two-time cancer survivor dealing with lymphedema – her most challenging role yet – may not bring her a Hollywood trophy, but she has certainly gained worldwide admiration as a source of inspiration.
At 75, the actress, who faced the removal of her uterus, breasts, and lymph nodes before being diagnosed with an incurable lymphatic condition, expressed that she feels “blessed” to leverage her “celebrity to do something that can perhaps assist others.” Continue reading to discover more about this remarkable actress’s health journey!
Hailing from Tennessee, Kathy Bates is a talented performer on both stage and screen, renowned for her award-winning roles in Misery, Primary Colors, Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell, and American Horror Story: Coven.
Since beginning her career in the early 1970s, the actress has received numerous nominations and is celebrated for her chilling, dramatic, and comedic performances.
In 2003, just a year after leaving audiences stunned with her full-frontal appearance alongside Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt, Bates received the news that she had ovarian cancer.
Fast forward to 2012, she faced another health challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, leading to a double mastectomy.
Unfortunately, Bates’ health struggles were far from over.
“I went berserk,” she shared with Kelly Clarkson during her 2019 appearance on the show. “Then I developed something called lymphedema. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it, but when cancer treatment involves removing lymph nodes, it can cause issues anywhere in your body. If your lymphatic system is compromised, fluid can often accumulate in the affected limb.”
In cancer treatment, lymph nodes are frequently removed because the disease can spread through the lymphatic system. After their removal, excess lymph fluid may accumulate in the tissues, leading to swelling, particularly in the arm and hand.
In an interview with SurvivorNet, the star of Dolores Claiborne revealed that the most challenging aspect of her health journey was not the cancer itself, but rather the lymphedema that resulted from her surgery.
“I completely lost it,” she recalled. “I dashed out of the examination room and out of the building. I still had my drains in place, clutching a pillow to my chest, and I thought, ‘What am I doing? It’s July, I’m outside in the heat, still recovering, and I don’t want to risk anything.’”
The Fried Green Tomatoes actress expressed, “I felt angry and depressed. I believed my career was over, thinking, ‘There’s no way I can continue; it’s all finished.’”
While lymphedema is a progressive and incurable condition, the National Health Service (NHS) states that its primary symptoms can be managed through strategies that help reduce fluid buildup.
‘A light within’
Eventually, she discovered a lymphedema specialist who provided her with the support she needed to manage her condition.
I approached her, still feeling upset, and shared all my stories. She responded, “That’s behind you now, and it’s time to start the next chapter of your life.” Referring to her doctor, Bates added, “Some individuals truly radiate positivity.”
Now a lymphedema advocate, Bates serves as the national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN), using her platform to raise awareness about the condition. “Approximately 10 million people in this country are affected by it,” she informed Clarkson. “That’s more than the combined total of ALS, muscular dystrophy, MS, Parkinson’s, and AIDS.”
Bates also emphasized to Clarkson the importance of patients advocating for a definitive diagnosis when they’re unwell, as lymphedema often goes undetected by healthcare professionals. “Many are unaware of it, and especially if we’re larger women and we visit a doctor saying, ‘I don’t feel well, my legs are swelling,’ they might just suggest, ‘Oh, just eat a salad,’” she explained.
Luckily, the star of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret has found a supportive network to help her cope, and she hasn’t allowed her health challenges to hold her back.
Bates, who was last seen in 2023’s The Miracle Club, expressed, “I didn’t want to have cancer… and I really don’t want to deal with lymphedema… I feel fortunate [to have this condition] because without it, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to leverage my fame to potentially help others.”
Kathy Bates is truly an inspiration, and we can’t think of a better way to use her celebrity for a positive impact!
What are your thoughts on this story? We’d love to hear from you, so please share your opinions and pass this story along so we can gather more perspectives!