A mere week after announcing that she had breast cancer, TV chef Sandra Lee has undergone a five-hour double mastectomy . She is expected to make a full recovery.
Lee’s live-in boyfriend of 10 years, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo , accompanied Sandra and her sister to the hospital Tuesday morning, the New York Daily News reported.
He barely left Lee’s side all day, her team posted on Facebook.
“The governor joined her dressed in scrubs — with a neat tie underneath. When the medical staff rolled a gurney into wheel Sandra to the O.R., she said she’d rather walk. And so she did, with the governor by her side down the long hospital corridors. Once (she) was in the O.R. … Cuomo stayed by her side until she fell asleep, and the surgeons got to work.”
By 1 p.m., she was out of surgery. In the recovery room, the TV chef was accompanied by both Cuomo and her sister, Kimber , and was reportedly a “little groggy, but grateful the surgery is completed,” People added.
Sandra Lee is recovering from her double mastectomy with Governor Andrew Cuomo by her side http://t.co/3DmcheELvR pic.twitter.com/am1MEaop6i
— People (@people) May 19, 2015
The governor has made it clear that he intends to take personal time to help Sandra recover from surgery, according to the New York Times . He announced following the procedure that Lee is doing “as well as can be expected.”
“On behalf of Sandy and myself, I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers over the last few days. Your support has meant the world to us.”
Lee, 48, announced her cancer diagnosis last week, which she said was found during a routine mammogram. Luckily, it was in the early stages. Sandra initially had a lumpectomy and kept active right up until Tuesday’s operation, posting affirmations online.
Doctors then told Lee she would need a double mastectomy to keep the cancer at bay. The operation was scheduled for Thursday, but she had an upper respiratory infection that delayed it until this week.
Her cancer is a common one — ductal carcinoma in situ. She is expected to recover completely. Her colleagues at the Food Network offered their support in an official statement.
“Sandra is one of the strongest women we know, a real fighter, and our thoughts go out to her and her family during this very trying time.”
[Photo courtesy of Getty Images]