Food Network Star Sandra Lee Getting Another Surgery Following Mastectomy Complications
TV personality and celebrity chef, Sandra Lee, 49, announced on her Facebook page that she will be undergoing another operation on Tuesday following her double mastectomy procedure last May of this year, which left her with an infection. She mentioned that she and her long-time partner Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the decision together.
"Andrew and I have decided that tomorrow I will go back into surgery. I did my very best to avoid this (when I tell you I did everything, I mean everything--modern, Eastern and holistic), but infection is an incredible monster," she wrote on her public page. "I am a long way from where I was and a long way from where I need to be, but at this point I understand that right now I just need to complete this unexpected phase of a tough journey."
According to CNY Central, the Food Network star underwent double mastectomy last May 19 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lee announced her breast cancer diagnosis on "Good Morning America" last May and said that she was too stunned to cry about the news, US Magazine reports.
Newsday reported that Lee was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital last week for complications from the procedure. The situation was confirmed by Lee's spokesperson. The 49-year-old "Semi-Homemade Cooking" star was placed on "heavy antibiotics" after going home for the weekend after her hospitalization, according to the report by Business Insider.
In her FB post, she likened her journey with her diagnosis to that of a tennis match, her favorite sport. She said she is "taking the shot while the ball is in her court" and that her plan on the day of her procedure would be "game, set, match!"
Before she ended her post, she briefly mentioned, acknowledged, and continued to support her fellow cancer mates and survivors.
"To them and their families and support systems I say: Stay strong, focus on the light and I send you my love. When I am done I WILL be lending you my backhand," she said in her post.
NY Daily News reports that Lee has an underlying condition called lupus anticoagulant, an autoimmune disorder, and fears that it may be getting in the way of her progress to recovery. The outlet also mentioned that Cuomo has said that Lee is optimistic about the operation.