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Bella Hadid has been a noticeable (and very much missed) absence as of late. But as shared by close sources and her sister Gigi Hadid, the supermodel has been taking time off after a jaw infection saw her Lyme Disease flare up. Now, the 26-year-old has shared a vulnerable update on the last few months of treating and dealing with her chronic illness.
As fans will know, Hadid was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2012 along with her mother, Yolanda Hadid and brother, Anwar Hadid. And while she has been historically open about her illness, the model has now revealed more about her condition, including how she’s undergone 100+ days of treatments for the “15 years of invisible suffering”.
In a series of photos posted to Instagram, Hadid shared snippets of her health journey with raw photos of herself receiving medical care. But despite the harrowing experiences, she seems resilient. “The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself,” she wrote in the caption, adding some gratitude to her mother for her support and keeping track of her medical records. “Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family and the people who support me proud, had taken a toll on me in ways I can’t really explain.”
But she assured concerned fans that she was on the mend and feeling optimistic about her life and mental health. “One thing I want to express to you all is that 1: I am okay, and you do not have to worry, and 2: I wouldn’t change anything for the world,” she wrote. “If I had to go through all of this again to get here, to this exact moment I’m in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again. It made me who I am today.”
“The universe works in the most painful and beautiful ways, but I need to say that if you are struggling—it will get better. I promise. Take a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, and walk in your truth, and the clouds will start to clear up.”
In the photos, Hadid can be seen hooked up to multiple IV catheters, resting in facilities, and cosying up with her dog. Explaining her choice to post these particular images, she noted that she specifically wanted to share the more positive moments of her time.
“I tried to pick the most positive pictures I could because as painful as this experience was, the outcome was the most enlightening experience of my life, filled with new friends, new visions and a new brain,” she wrote.
Thanking the companies she works with for their “patience”, her agents for “protecting” her, and her doctor and team of medical staff for taking care of her, the model concluded the post by promising her return.
“I’ll be back when I’m ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much.”
In a sweet follow-up tribute, Hadid posted a carousel of photos that show her puppy, Beans, by her side throughout her treatments.
