Lyme Disease Update: Yolanda Foster Will Appear As A ‘Friend’ On ‘RHOBH’ As She Battles Illness

Lyme disease will reportedly keep Yolanda Foster from returning to her full-time role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. After starring on the series for three seasons, Foster’s role will reportedly be reduced to that of a “friend” when the show returns for Season 6.

On July 1, after announcing a series of cast changes throughout the Real Housewives franchise, E! News claimed Foster would likely be seen in a guest role on the show.

“Despite reports saying she was off the show, we hear Yolanda will have some kind of presence, it just depends on how she’s feeling while she continues to battle Lyme Disease.”

Foster was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, around the time she joined the Bravo series. Since then, she has chronicled her battle with the illness on the show. However, after a 2014 relapse, being on the series became more difficult for Foster. As Season 5 came to a close, Foster’s health worsened, and by the end of filming, she had stopped participating in cast blogs, and was unable to film the full reunion special.

As the Inquisitr previously reported, rumors began swirling about Foster possibly leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to focus on her Lyme disease battle shortly after the Season 5 reunion aired. According to a Radar Online report, Foster’s husband, David, didn’t want her on the show, as he allegedly felt it was having a negative impact on her health.

“David has told Yolanda there is just no way she can return to the show because her condition is just getting worse. The Lyme disease is just ravaging her, and traveling for the international medical treatments is taking a toll. Yolanda is extremely weak, and her memory is suffering. David is just being protective because he doesn’t want any of the ladies to use her illness against her, as he knows those women are vicious.”

Just last week, Foster’s husband spoke out about her Lyme disease battle during an interview with E! News at the premiere of Amy, a new documentary about Amy Winehouse, which hits theaters on July 3.

“She’s doing fair. She’s just trying to work through it … You know, it’s been a tough battle, but she’s a fighter. She’s got big balls. They’re temporarily cut off, but they’ll be back.”

In addition to sharing her Lyme disease battle on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Yolanda Foster remains active on social media, as well.

[Photo via Instagram]