Kathy Bates, a beloved actress known for her powerful roles in television and film, has faced significant personal challenges with strength and grace. Diagnosed with a chronic condition, she has made drastic changes in her life while continuing to thrive in her career.

Bates moved to New York in 1970 to pursue acting. Reflecting on her early days, she said, “I was never an ingenue. I’ve always just been a character actor. When I was younger, it was a real problem because I was never pretty enough. It was hard, not just for the lack of work, but because you have to face up to how people are looking at you.”

Her Broadway career began to soar in 1980 with her role in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. Despite missing out on some film adaptations, her career took off when she was 42, thanks to her unforgettable performance as a psychotic fan in Misery. This role earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Discussing the roles she received, Bates noted, “You’re either young and glamorous and you’re going to get the lead, or it’s the opposite: you’re not attractive enough. So you’re playing the friend or the killer or the lesbian or the doctor or whatever. But the one who gets to play the young, pretty, gets-the-boy-at-the-end role doesn’t have any power. And vice-versa: a character can have power, but not femininity.”

Bates also directed episodes of several hit TV shows, including Homicide: Life on the Street, NYPD Blue, Oz, and Six Feet Under.

In her personal life, Bates faced two cancer diagnoses. In 2003, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and in 2012, with breast cancer. After her breast cancer surgery, she was diagnosed with lymphedema, a condition she now advocates for as a spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.

Bates has lost 80 pounds over the years and wears compression sleeves to prevent her arms from swelling.

She explained, “If I can stop rushing, relax my shoulders, straighten my spine, breathe deeply, and focus on each little moment of completing a task, I have more confidence in my ability to live with LE. The pandemic forced me to slow down.”

She advises others with lymphedema to not let the condition stop them from living their lives. “Going out in public wearing a compression garment, especially when people aren’t educated about LE, can sometimes be more painful than the disease itself.

However, hiding at home and living a sedentary life will only make things worse for your body and brain,” she said.

Bates is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for lymphedema research, ensuring the condition doesn’t define her or hold her back. She continues to take on roles she loves and remains active in her advocacy work.

Kathy Bates’s story is one of resilience and determination. She not only lives with her condition but thrives, serving as an inspiration to many.

Please share this article to inspire others in their fight against lymphedema.