Lauren Holiday is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion.
But she’s just shown the first image of herself in an emotional Mother’s Day Instagram post after what may have been her toughest battle yet.
“I have been hiding from a camera for the past 7 months,” Holiday wrote in a heart-wrenching statement.
“I didn’t want anyone to see my paralyzed face, my eye that is now crossed, the bald spots from radiation & my half shaved head. Granted you can’t see any of those things in this picture, just a patch … it’s a huge step.”
Doctors discovered a benign tumor on the right side of Holiday’s brain when she was just 29 years old, and six months pregnant with her first child.
Holiday was induced into an early labour two months later and welcomed a healthy daughter, Jrue Tyler Holiday, with her husband – pro basketball player, Jrue Holiday.
Just one month later, she underwent surgery to remove a tumour.
Wearing a “girl power” t-shirt, Holiday said in her Instagram post that Mother’s Day has reminded her of the incredible strength of women.
“The resilience of our bodies, the power of our minds, the ability to put other humans fully before ourselves, our compassionate hearts but most of all our undying love for our families, our friends and our precious babies,” she said.
She further explained her admiration for women she encountered in her community.
“I am so proud to be a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife and most of all a mother. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas, Mamas-to-be and future mamas! You are beautiful. You are ridiculously strong. But most of all you are loved. So very loved.”
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Source: today.com