Selena Gomez has recently revealed the reason why she kept such a low profile over the last few months despite releasing new music.
The star says due to her Lupus, she had to undergo a kidney transplant and the donor was her best friend Francia Raisa.
She made the announcement on her Instagram, along with photos of her surgery scars:
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I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.
Gomez revealed her lupus diagnosis a few years ago when she had a break in her career to undergo chemotherapy for the autoimmune disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health and NHS Choices Lupus is:
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments, and no two cases of lupus are exactly alike. In the US, 240,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus, while it is estimated to affect around 15,000 people in the UK.
The signs and symptoms of lupus that a person experiences will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common symptoms include a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, fatigue and fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Other common signs are skin lesions that get worse in the sun, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss. Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there is no cure, treatments can help control symptoms.