sandra lee mastectomy

sandra lee mastectomy

According to media reports Tuesday, celebrity chef Sandra Lee is out of surgery following a double mastectomy Tuesday morning and is doing well, according to her partner of 10 years, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Around 8 a.m. this morning, Sandy underwent surgery that concluded just before 1 p.m.,” Cuomo, 57, said in a statement. “I am happy to report that she is doing as well as could be expected and has begun the post-surgery recovery process. 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, was diagnosed with a common form of breast cancer, DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), in March.

According to BreastCancer.org, Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. Ductal means that the cancer starts inside the milk ducts, carcinoma refers to any cancer that begins in the skin or other tissues (including breast tissue) that cover or line the internal organs, and in situ means “in its original place.” DCIS is called “non-invasive” because it hasn’t spread beyond the milk duct into any normal surrounding breast tissue. DCIS isn’t life-threatening, but having DCIS can increase the risk of developing an invasive breast cancer later on.

The news was also posted to Lee’s Facebook page, which shared a story of Lee’s bravery heading into the operating room.

“Governor Andrew Cuomo drove Sandra and her sister Kimber to the hospital. … When the medical staff rolled a gurney in to 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,” the post read. “Once Sandra was in the O.R., Governor Cuomo stayed by her side until she fell asleep, and the surgeons got to work.”

She is expected to make a full recovery.

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