Yolanda Foster Says She’s A Hostage To Her Debilitating Disease; Dishes On Season Premiere Episode

Reality TV Stars Yolanda Foster

Last night’s season 6 premiere of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was a mix of light and fun, yet heavy and sad.  We had Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards reclaiming the light-hearted side of their friendship, and then on the flip side we saw Eileen Davidson dealing with the loss of her father-in-law and Yolanda Foster sharing her health struggles.  Yolanda took to her blog this week to get candid about all she’s dealing with this season. 

Yolanda shared, “Becoming chronically ill has definitely given me a greater understanding of human nature, and I’ve learned to accept people’s lack of long-term compassion for others, while they live their busy lives.  I have gone from being an outspoken multi-tasking social butterfly to a hostage of my debilitating disease. I might only be a shell of the woman I used to be, but my heart is still the same, and even though I can only do life one day at a time, I am at peace and have surrendered to my new normal–for now.” 

On not focusing on how she looks, “I’d be lying if I said it’s not hard to be judged by the way I look. Its almost like you have to show scars and broken bones in order to be warranted understanding. Does it count that even though we don’t “look” great, that we show up..? It’s tempting to be distracted by negativity, but I choose to stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel and not let anything interrupt my healing process. Being mentally and neurologically compromised for so long has presented me with life’s biggest challenge, and I need all of ME to fight this till the end.” 

RELATED: YOLANDA’S KIDS SUFFERED FROM LYME DISEASE, TOO

She doesn’t wish this illness on her co-stars, “Bless the hearts of my fellow Housewives! May neither they, nor their families, ever have to face such illness, because it is at that time when we learn and realize what really matters.” 

RELATED: DAVID AND YOLANDA DIVORCING

Yolanda doesn’t think she needs fancy dresses or makeup artists to be considered beautiful.  “Ken Todd is right, I don’t look good. I definitely look ill…but that’s because I AM! I miss the days of what now feels like my old LIFE: the hair, the makeup, a sexy dress, but most of all being in a healthy body. At the end of the day, I now value to be “real,” not to be “perfect.” I still like to believe though that no beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.” 

She then explains why didn’t keep her Lyme disease private.  “If Lyme wasn’t such a controversial disease, I’d probably have chosen to deal with my journey in a more private manner, but the amount of suffering that goes on behind closed doors all over the world is unconscionable, and I feel it’s my duty to be a voice for those who can’t be heard. I want to shine a light on a disease that so many know so little about.” 

She continues, “I wish my message was more fun and glamorous than this, but I accept that these are the cards life has dealt me. I’m extremely fortunate and grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to 11 countries, five states, and see 100+doctors, but the truth is that even though I have made great strides in the past six months, I have not found a cure yet.  It’s hard to comprehend that we live in the best country in the world, yet people are left to struggle with this silent killer on their own, especially considering the fact that the medical community honored Dr.Burgdorfer’s discovery in 1982, of the spirochete “Borellia Burgdorferi.” Now, 33 years later, we are still trying to figure this out?” 

Yolanda wishes Lyme would get the same level of attention that AIDS does, “Lyme disease is six times more prevalent than AIDS ever was in the early 80s. The globe united beautifully with one voice to combat HIV, so I pray every day that we will come together and find a cure for Lyme, affordable for all.” 

She concludes her blog, “I could look at tonight’s episode with mixed emotions, but I’ve grown apart from looking at what’s NOT…I am blessed to have a voice and a platform that can bring awareness to not only my disease but to the most profound lesson of it all, which is to lead a life with compassion, kindness, and without judgement, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.  One day soon I hope to have the ability to write about uncovering the mystery of this chronic disease and share with you the true depth of my story, but until then I am just a housewife on a mission with laser focus on one thing and one thing only…my health! I have faith that God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling.” 

TELL US – WERE YOU SHOCKED TO SEE YOLANDA ATTEND LISA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY? DO YOU THINK HER CO-STARS ARE BEING COMPASSIONATE?

Photo Credit: Instagram

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