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 national syndication in 2009. The daytime talker was built around Williams, who at the time the show premiered, was a popular New York radio DJ known for her no-holds-barred celebrity interviews and unfiltered takes on pop culture. After conquering radio with her gift for gab, Williams then redefined the daytime television space and became known as the queen of gossip, who helmed her signature solo “Hot Topics” segments for more than 20 minutes with no commercial breaks every single day on live, national television.
The “queen of media” revealed that she’s ready to enter the world of podcasting now that she is “100% retired” from television.
“When you’re famous, podcasts will make more money for me, being famous, than doing the Wendy Williams Show,” Williams said.
“Where will I go? I’m not sure. Europe? To France? Wherever I want to go,” she said about her journey ahead.
As far as Williams’ battle with Graves’ Disease, Williams’ still has her battles.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even the way your heart beats.
With Graves’ disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to make more thyroid hormones than your body needs. As a result, many of your body’s functions speed up.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary from person to person and may include:
weight loss, despite an increased appetite
rapid or irregular heartbeat
nervousness, irritability, trouble sleeping, fatigue
shaky hands, muscle weakness
sweating or trouble tolerating heat
frequent bowel movements
an enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter
Eye problems
More than 1 in 3 people with Graves’ disease develop an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO).6 GO occurs when your immune system attacks the muscles and other tissues around your eyes. Symptoms can include
bulging eyes
gritty, irritated eyes
puffy eyes
light sensitivity
pressure or pain in the eyes
blurred or double vision
These symptoms can start before or at the same time as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Rarely, GO can develop after Graves’ disease has been treated. You can develop GO even if your thyroid function is normal. Most people have mild symptoms.
Skin problems
Rarely, people with Graves’ disease develop a condition that causes the skin to become reddish and thick, with a rough texture.