Bella Hadid, model and TV personality, is undergoing treatment for Lyme disease. In a series of posts on Instagram, Bella shared snippets from her battle with the illness, which she explains she has been living with for the past fifteen years. "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," Bella writes. "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... This 100 days of Lyme, chronic disease, co-infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering was all worth it if I am able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love."
The model took a break from the spotlight to prioritise her health and is continuing to rest and recuperate at home. "I'll be back when I'm ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much," she concluded. Her photographs show various hospital visits, health records, recovery and time spent with family (and her loyal dog, Glizzy, who Bella says never left her side).
Lyme disease is caused when harmful bacteria is transmitted to humans through infected ticks, triggering symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and skin rashes as well as swollen joints and nerve damage if left untreated for prolonged periods. Lyme disease is typically cured with a weeks-long course of antibiotics, allowing patients to return to their full health in most cases, though symptoms can persist for months after initial treatment.
Will Bella Hadid be back on the runway come fashion month this September? Only time will tell.
