Kathy Bates: A Star Who’s Both Terrifying and Hilarious – And a Survivor Like No Other
There’s no one quite like Kathy Bates—an actor whose talent ranges from spine-chilling to side-splitting. With a career spanning comedies, dramas, and thrillers, she’s taken home numerous awards for her unforgettable performances.
But it’s her ongoing battle with lymphedema, her most challenging health fight yet, that’s earning her global admiration. A two-time cancer survivor, Bates’ courage and resilience in the face of this incurable condition might not win her another Hollywood trophy, but it’s certainly making her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
At 75 years old, the iconic actor, who has undergone life-altering surgeries, including the removal of her uterus, breasts, and lymph nodes, sees her “celebrity” as a blessing. “I’m using it to do something that can maybe help people,” she says. Read on to discover more about this incredible woman’s health journey.
A Tennessee native, Kathy Bates is renowned for her powerhouse performances on both stage and screen. From her award-winning roles in Misery and Primary Colors to her chilling turns in American Horror Story: Coven and Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell, she’s carved out a legacy in Hollywood. Since the 1970s, Bates has earned multiple nominations, proving her range and versatility across dramatic, terrifying, and comedic roles alike.
In 2003, just a year after leaving audiences stunned with her bold, nude performance alongside Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt, Kathy Bates received a life-altering diagnosis: ovarian cancer.
Then, in 2012, she faced another devastating blow—breast cancer—leading to a double mastectomy.
But despite the heavy toll her health battles have taken, Bates’ resilience only grew stronger. Her string of bad luck with her health didn’t break her spirit, proving time and again that she’s a fighter, both on and off screen.
“I Went Berserk”
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019, Kathy Bates opened up about the next chapter in her health battle. “Then I got something called lymphedema,” she revealed. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but after cancer treatment, they often remove lymph nodes. And no matter where it happens in your body, if your lymph system gets damaged, the fluid can back up in the affected limb.”
The actor didn’t hold back, describing how she initially reacted to the condition, saying, “I went berserk.” It was yet another curveball in her ongoing fight, but Bates’ candidness about her struggles only added to her strength and relatability.
The True Battle: Kathy Bates Opens Up About the Struggles Beyond Cancer
When cancer is treated, lymph nodes are often removed because the disease can spread through the lymphatic system. Unfortunately, once these nodes are gone, excess lymph fluid can build up in tissues, leading to painful swelling, most commonly in the arm and hand.
For Kathy Bates, however, it wasn’t cancer that proved to be the hardest battle, but rather the side effect of her surgery—lymphedema. Speaking with SurvivorNet, the Dolores Claiborne star opened up about the emotional toll of the condition.
“I went berserk,” she admitted. “I left the examining room and ran out of the building. I still had my drains in, holding a pillow to my chest, thinking, ‘What am I doing? It’s July, it’s hot, I’m standing out here, still healing, and I don’t want to hurt anything.’”
In that moment of overwhelming emotion, Bates felt defeated. “I was bitter, I was depressed. I thought my career was over. I thought, ‘There’s no way. I’m done. Everything is done.’”
Though lymphedema is incurable and progressive, treatments exist to manage the symptoms and limit the accumulation of fluid. According to the National Health Service (NHS), measures can help control the condition, offering hope to those dealing with the painful effects.
Finding the “Light Inside”
Just when things seemed their darkest, Kathy Bates found a lifeline. She discovered a lymphedema expert who helped her navigate the condition and cope with its challenges.
Her journey took a positive turn as she learned to manage the symptoms, and gradually, Bates found a “light inside” that helped her push through the toughest moments. It was a turning point, allowing her to regain hope and reclaim control over her health.
“The Light Inside”
Kathy Bates’ journey took a turning point when she met a lymphedema expert who helped her find a way forward. “I went to her, still angry, told her all of my tales,” Bates recalled. “And she said, ‘Well, that’s all in the past, and now you’re going to begin the rest of your life.’”
Her doctor’s words resonated deeply with her, and Bates reflected, “Some people just have light inside.” That light became a guiding force as she began her path to healing—not just physically, but emotionally as well.
Alongside her treatments and the use of compression sleeves to manage the pain and swelling in both of her arms, Bates found solace in her new mission: helping others. Now an outspoken advocate for lymphedema, she serves as the national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN). “It’s estimated that 10 million people in this country suffer from it,” Bates shared with Kelly Clarkson. “That’s more than ALS, muscular dystrophy, MS, Parkinson’s, and AIDS combined.”
Bates also highlighted a crucial message for patients: the importance of pushing for a diagnosis if something feels wrong. “Nobody knows about it, and especially if we’re bigger girls and we go to a doctor saying, ‘I don’t feel right, my legs are swelling,’ they say, ‘Oh, just go have a salad,’” she explained, emphasizing that lymphedema is often overlooked by medical professionals.
Kathy Bates: Turning Struggles into Strength
Despite the challenges, Kathy Bates hasn’t let her health battles slow her down. The star of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret found a strong support system to help her manage lymphedema, and she’s continued to push forward.
Bates, who recently appeared in the 2023 film The Miracle Club, shared her perspective: “I didn’t want to have cancer… and I really don’t want to have lymphedema… but I feel blessed [to have the condition] because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be in a position to use my celebrity to do something that can maybe help people.”
Her resilience and generosity are truly inspiring, showing us the incredible way she uses her fame for good.
Kathy Bates is a living testament to strength, hope, and using one’s platform to make a difference in the world!
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