06 August 2023 , 19:33
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Bella Hadid has revealed the brutal toll of her hidden health battle after completing more than 100 days of medical treatment for Lyme disease amid a 15-year-long invisible battle
The model, 26, who has made 29 appearances on international Vogue covers, is battling Lyme disease after being diagnosed in 2012. Recently she has been battling the chronic disease to the extent that she had to take medical leave from work and undergo a lengthy course of intense treatment.
According to the NHS, Lyme disease is a "bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks". The site claims that it's "usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early".
Bella and her brother were diagnosed with the disease in 2012 (bellahadid/Instagram)
The star took to Instagram today to share the moving snaps of her health battle (bellahadid/Instagram)The healthcare provider's site also adds that some of those diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease "continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can last for years" with them compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
More than a decade ago, Bella and her brother, Anwar, were both diagnosed with Lyme disease, with a letter from the model's doctor dated 2014 touching on her symptoms of fatigue, depression and headaches. And now Bella has given a further glimpse inside her life with the disease months, with her saying that she'll be back when she's ready.
Bella Hadid looks unrecognisable as she transforms into Marilyn Monroe
Sharing a slew of snaps that illustrate her health battle over the years, the model can be seen lying in a hospital bed as well as sitting in a chair with wires and tubes connected to her. "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," she penned.
Bella added: "To be that sad and sick with the most blessings, privilege, opportunity, love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever."
Bella exuded gratitude in the caption she penned (bellahadid/Instagram)
Fans were quick to throw support behind the model (bellahadid/Instagram)Thanking her mother Yolanda, who also suffers from the disease, Bella added: "Thankful to my mommy for keeping all of my medical records, sticking by me, never leaving my side, protecting, supporting , but most of all, believing me through all of this."
Elsewhere in her lengthy caption, Bella wrote: "I wouldn’t change anything for the world. 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, walk in your truth and the clouds will start to clear up."
Bella said that "she'll be back soon' (bellahadid/Instagram)
The brunette beauty seemed positive about the future (bellahadid/Instagram)She then spoke of the "gratitude" she has for life, and touched on her 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease and co-infection treatment, as well as "almost 15 years of invisible suffering". Bella then thanked the "incredible companies" that she works for before thanking her "genius" doctor and "INCREDIBLE" team of nurses.
She concluded her moving caption with: "I’ll be back when I’m ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much." Fans were quick to flock to the comment section to send their support to the model, with the most garnering over a million likes and thousands of comments too.