Nearly seven years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Sandra Lee is undergoing a hysterectomy in Los Angeles.
On Tuesday, the same day she had the procedure, the Emmy-winning lifestyle guru shared a lengthy Instagram message about the surgery and why it took her so long to work up the "courage" to go through with it.
"Several years ago I was supposed to have quite an intense surgery. It was a follow up to my breast cancer surgery, but I had repeatedly put it off and then Covid hit," she wrote. "Fast forward to now, during a routine appointment with my gynecologist, she noticed a change in some of my cells. I went for a second and third opinion and they all confirmed the same."
After getting the medical news, the 55-year-old recalled a conversation years ago in which a friend urged her to get a "complete hysterectomy."
"After all of the issues I had experienced with my breast cancer surgery, the last thing I wanted to do was have another major operation- so I didn't," she said.
Page Six reported that things changed for Sandra after reading about women like Amy Schumer and Angelina Jolie, both of whom have been open about their health issues.
"Over the last few years I have watched and admired the grace of other women who went public with their own health decision while I sat on the sidelines in awe and with a bit of fear. Brave women, like my friend's mother who sadly had lost her battle with breast cancer after it had spread to her ovaries," she said. "I admit, I am a little embarrassed that I hadn't had the courage to get this final stage done until now."
The TV chef lauded the "brave" women who've had hysterectomies.
"It'll be an everything out procedure and after that, there won't be any more halo of worry hanging over my head," she said, adding that her fiancé Ben Youcef is by her side.
"I am filled with all sorts of emotions. I am scared but also happy to be getting this done- strength and courage! We must always remember to have strength and courage," she said. "Hopefully this will encourage anyone who needs to get a concerning procedure done to take the opportunity now so you can live as happy and healthy as possible. We must all live our best lives every day and in every way."
Sandra underwent a double mastectomy in May 2015. The following year, she spoke to People magazine about reconstructing her breasts.
"It's a really intense thing, having that operation," she said. "Being put out, it's lights out. You go, 'Oh God, please sweet Lord, take care of me while I'm here.'"
Sandra documented her mastectomy, even making a 2018 documentary for HBO titled, "RX: Early Detection, A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee."