Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave her fans an unexpected update on Thursday, revealing that she is recovering from an emergency appendectomy.
The 55-year-old dancer took to Instagram on Thursday afternoon to share a short video from her hospital bed.
The video, set to Meghan Trainor’s 2016 song Me Too, revealed that she was suffering from acute gangrenous appendicitis.
Subtitles for the video revealed that it was “a little overnight surgery” that had “some little complications” and led to a “four-night hospital stay.”
The operation will also require a “4 to 6 week recovery,” though she added: “But I’m grateful to be alive,” while flashing a peace sign to the camera.
Update: Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave her fans an unexpected update on Thursday, revealing that she is recovering from an emergency appendectomy.
Acute: The video, set to Meghan Trainor’s 2016 song Me Too, revealed that she was suffering from acute gangrenous appendicitis.
Hospital: Subtitles for the video revealed that it was a “little overnight surgery” that had “some little complications” and led to a “four-night stay in the hospital.”
She elaborated quite a bit in a lengthy caption, beginning by giving a “special shout out to the wonderful staff of doctors, nurses and aides at @cedarssinai for taking such good care of me.”
“I had an emergency appendectomy last week and while it’s been quite a painful experience, I also know it’s a gift to feel this pain,” he added.
“After talking to my doctor, I realized that it could have been much worse,” he explained.
Appendicitis attacks happen suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere. And when you’re in that much pain, the last thing you want to do is go anywhere,” she said.
“And when you have an autoimmune disease, you often have strange health problems that no one can explain or help you, so sometimes you try to wait, like I did. I was wrong,’ Inaba admitted.
The dancer admitted that she should have “come straight to the hospital just as the pain in my abdomen started, after the sudden and violent vomiting that knocked me over.”
“I should have left when I couldn’t stand on my feet without excruciating pain… but honestly I didn’t want to leave my babies and I’m so used to pain that I thought I should just let it play out,” she added.
“If you have pain in your abdomen, get it checked because it could be something very serious,” Inaba told her 532,000 followers.
Hospital: He elaborated quite a bit on a long caption, beginning by giving a “special shout out to the wonderful staff of doctors, nurses and aides at @cedarssinai for taking such good care of me.”
Emergency: “I had an emergency appendectomy last week and while it’s been quite a painful experience, I also know it’s a gift to feel this pain,” he added.
‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone at @cedarssinai for the great care. If I had to do it again, I would go back to you,’ she said.
“Luckily my appendix won’t bother me anymore,” Inaba concluded with the hashtags #byebyeappendix #appendicitis #health #autoimmunedease.
He got some love from his DWTS family, and Derek Hough replied: ‘Get well soon ❤️ I had that a few years ago. I’m glad you took care. Feeling better’
Violinist Lindsey Stirling added: ‘My God. I’m glad you’re well! What a terrifying experience. ❤️❤️❤️’
Crystal Hefner added: ‘Oh no, I’m so sorry. I have a “wait” situation right now. It’s sad that we never know.
DWTS pro dancer Gleb Savchenko added: “Hope you’re feeling better,” while Gilles Marini added: “Get better, love.” It will be up and running in zero time. Love love love.’
The autoimmune disease Inaba is referring to in his post is Sjorgen’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that “destroys moisture-producing glands.”
She serves as the National Awareness Ambassador and Spokesperson for the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation and is committed to raising awareness and fighting for a cure.
Thank you: ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone at @cedarssinai for the great care. If I had to do it again, I would go back to you,’ she said.
No appendix: ‘Thankfully my appendix won’t bother me anymore,’ Inaba concluded with the hashtags #byebyeappendix #appendicitis #health #autoimmunedease