From the looks of it, it’s been pretty rough for the past couple of years for talk show host Wendy Williams. Her show recently came to an end after 13 years. The 57-year-old had taken an extended leave of absence from hosting due to health complications from Graves’ disease (as well as “private things” that needed handling, she recently told Good Morning America).
Now, the “How you Doin’?” host revealed in a new interview with TMZ that she “can only feel maybe 5% of my feet” due to Lymphedema. She also showed off her enlarged foot in the interview.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lymphedema is swelling caused by excess lymphatic fluid (lymph) collecting in the body’s soft tissues, usually in the arms or legs. It is a chronic (ongoing) condition seen mostly in people who have undergone cancer interventions including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Lymph nodes are an important part of your lymphatic system. Lymphedema can be caused by cancer treatments that remove or damage your lymph nodes. Any type of problem that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid can cause lymphedema.
Severe cases of lymphedema can affect the ability to move the affected limb, increase the risks of skin infections and sepsis, and can lead to skin changes and breakdown. Treatment may include compression bandages, massage, compression stockings, sequential pneumatic pumping, careful skin care and, rarely, surgery to remove swollen tissue or to create new drainage routes.
There are two types of lymphedema:
Primary lymphedema comes from rare, inherited conditions when the lymphatic system doesn’t develop properly. Lymphedema from these conditions can appear at these ages:
Infancy: Called Milroy’s disease (congenital lymphedema).
Puberty, during pregnancy, or up until age 35: Called Meige’s disease (lymphedema praecox).
After age 35: A rare, late-onset lymphedema (lymphedema tarda) can cause lymphedema after 35. This type usually causes swelling only in the legs.
Secondary lymphedema is the most common form of lymphedema. It is caused by disruption to the drainage of the lymphatic system that occurs with trauma. In the U.S., cancer treatments are the most common cause of damage to the lymphatic system. However, not everyone who has cancer treatment develops lymphedema.
“The Wendy Williams Show” had become one of the biggest hits in talk show history. Hailing from Debmar-Mercury, the show began as a summer test-run in 2008, before launching into