Bella Hadid shares throwback photos of years-long Lyme disease struggle and updates fans amid medical leave: 'I'll be back when I'm ready'

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Bella Hadid updated her 59.3 million Instagram followers about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease on Sunday.

The 26-year-old model posted a variety of throwback photos showing both her in the worst moments of her struggle with the chronic disease over the years, as well as snippets of her medical records going back more than a decade.

Taken together, the photos detailed years of health issues and fatigue that have plagued her, even as she rose to become one of the most in-demand models in the world.

And though Bella has been taking time off from work and has cut down on her social media posting since quietly splitting from her boyfriend Marc Kalman earlier this year, she made it clear that this was only a temporary setback for her.

'I'll be back when I'm ready,' she wrote defiantly in her lengthy caption. 

 

'I'll be back when I'm ready': Bella Hadid, 26, shared an update on her ongoing struggle with Lyme disease amid her months-long medical leave in a post on Sunday

Several of her photos showed her with IVs attached to her arm and what appeared to be ports to make transfusions or blood draws easier.

One image featured a nurse appearing to draw some blood from Bella's arm as she sat on a sofa covered up in blankets, a baggy sweater and a yellow toque.

Another photo showed the catwalk star topless and showing a soft smile while lying on a bed in a medical setting.

She appeared to have electrodes or other connections lining her chest, which she covered with her hands while a professional adjusted them.

Bella appeared to be receiving a blood transfusion in a mirror selfie she posted. Her face was obscured by her phone, and dual lines with what appeared to be blood and a clear fluid were connected by tubes to her upper arm.

The brunette beauty wasn't afraid to show her fans an unvarnished view of her treatments, and one photo showed her in a medical setting with only part of her arm left uncovered and some blood-soaked gauze next to it after she had apparently had a procedure performed on the spot.

But she wasn't alone during the lengthy ordeal. In addition to support from her sister Gigi and mother Yolanda Hadid — neither of whom were pictured — she had her trusty dog 'Glizzy P. Beans aka Petunia aka Beans' by her side.

It was the dog that helped indicate that several of the photos were years old, as it was just a puppy in some snaps but full-grown in others. 

In treatment: Several of her photos showed her with IVs attached to her arm and what appeared to be ports to make transfusions or blood draws easier

Under the weather: One image featured a nurse appearing to draw some blood from Bella's arm as she sat on a sofa covered up in blankets, a baggy sweater and a yellow toque

Staying positive: One photo showed the catwalk star topless and showing a soft smile while lying on a bed in a medical setting amid a treatment

Replenishing: Bella appeared to be receiving a blood transfusion in a mirror selfie she posted

Painful treatments: The brunette beauty wasn't afraid to show her fans an unvarnished view of her treatments, and one photo showed her in a medical setting with only part of her arm left uncovered and some blood-soaked gauze next to it after a procedure

Constant companion: But she wasn't alone during the lengthy ordeal. In addition to support from her sister Gigi and mother Yolanda Hadid, she had her trusty dog 'Glizzy P. Beans aka Petunia aka Beans' by her side

Among Bella's photos were pictures of her medical records that her mother had kept over the years.

One documented date from early 2014 detailed her symptoms, presumably from Lyme disease, which she had been suffering for '1 1/2 years' at that point.

Among her complaints were fatigue, attention issues, memory problems, difficulty sleeping, depression and physical, along with several other issues that are commonly reported issues for Lyme sufferers. 

Another page from later in 2014 appeared to show results indicating a colon infection, and it seemed to indicate the presence of bacteria commonly transmitted by ticks or other parasites, include the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

She also appeared to be suffering from a fungal infection and parasites. 

A page dated to 2016 included more test results and again appeared to indicate Bella was infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. 

'The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself,' she began her lengthy caption.

The fashion model included some sweet praise for her mother Yolanda as well.

'Thankful to my mommy for keeping all of my medical records, sticking by me, never leaving my side, protecting, supporting, but most of all, believing me through all of this,' she wrote.

She added that her condition continued to deteriorate, even as she continued to work to make her family 'proud,' though it wasn't clear if she was referring to a time years earlier, or to the lead-up to her latest medical hiatus. 

However, she made it clear that: '1: I am okay and you do not have to worry, ♥️and 2:I wouldn’t change anything for the world. 

'If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I’m in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again. It made me who I am today,' she wrote on a more upbeat note.

Bella also tried to remind her followers who are struggling that it 'will get better.'

'I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life , this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease , co infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, For the first time ever,' she continued.

Numerous issues: One documented date from early 2014 detailed her symptoms, presumably from Lyme disease, which she had been suffering for '1 1/2 years' at that point

Confirmation: Another page from later in 2014 appeared to show results indicating a colon infection, and it seemed to indicate the presence of bacteria commonly transmitted by ticks or other parasites, include the bacteria that causes Lyme disease

More tests: A page dated to 2016 included more test results and again appeared to indicate Bella was infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease

Getting worse: She wrote that her condition continued to deteriorate, even as she continued to work to make her family 'proud,' though it wasn't clear if she was referring to a time years earlier, or to the lead-up to her latest medical hiatus

Upbeat: Bella noted that she tried to pick 'positive' photos, because as 'painful' as her ordeal was, 'the outcome was the most enlightening experience of my life filled with new friends, new visions and a new brain'

On the bright side: She also tried to remind her followers who are struggling that it 'will get better.'

Helping hands: 'Thank you to my genius Dr, and her INCREDIBLE team of nurses. I love you SO much!!!' she also gushed

Stronger than ever: 'I’ll be back when I’m ready,' she concluded on a hopeful note. 'I miss you all so much. I love you all so much'

By her side: A follow-up post featured photos of her adorable dog beans, and the phots spread out over the years showed it growing from a puppy to full size

Bella noted that she tried to pick 'positive' photos, because as 'painful' as her ordeal was, 'the outcome was the most enlightening experience of my life filled with new friends, new visions and a new brain.'

'Thank you for the patience of the incredible company’s that I work for , my supporters and the people who continued to check in,' she added, while also singling out her agents for praise.

'Thank you to my genius Dr, and her INCREDIBLE team of nurses. I love you SO much!!!' she also gushed. 

'I’ll be back when I’m ready,' she concluded on a hopeful note. 'I miss you all so much. I love you all so much.'