Hell’s Kitchen season 22 alum Leigh Orleans underwent emergency surgery after suffering a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
“Got a little surprise emergency surgery yesterday,” Orleans, 30, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, January 27. “For the last two weeks, I had really intense bleeding and cramping. I am perpetually afraid of going to a doctor in pain and being told nothing is wrong.”
She continued, “A week ago, I finally went to a fertility specialist who told me I was likely having either a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, and that we would continue monitoring my bloodwork. She said if I was ever in extreme pain that didn’t go away, I needed to go to the [emergency room].”
When Orleans’ pain persisted, she checked herself into a local hospital at her husband Elliot’s insistence.
“Ultrasounds showed severe internal bleeding that had filled my pelvis almost up to my liver, and my fallopian tube had ruptured from an ectopic pregnancy,” she wrote in her social media upload. “I am so grateful for the doctors who quickly saved my life.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus, most usually the fallopian tube. If left untreated, the growing tissue can pose life-threatening complications, including internalized bleeding. Ectopic or “tubal” pregnancies can never be carried to term.
“I did lose a fallopian tube, but I still have one strong one left 💪,” Orleans said, going on to offer advice to others who may be suffering a health or pregnancy complication. “The point is this: don’t be stubborn like I was. If you have unexplained pain or unexplained bleeding, go to the emergency room. The pain may subside [at times], but you cannot feel internal bleeding. You don’t know what’s going on without getting help.”
Traveling chef Orleans, who also has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), further revealed that she had to scale back on her culinary jobs in order to recover. (PCOS is a condition where individuals have few, unusual or very long periods, according to the Mayo Clinic.)
“Thank you to my clients who were so understanding this week as I’ve had to cancel a lot of jobs,” Orleans wrote in the comments section. “I’m sorry to my clients over the last few weeks who haven’t seen the best version of me — I was in pain and denying it.”
Orleans also profusely thanked her husband, Elliot, for “relentlessly taking care of [her] stubborn a**” in her lengthy statement.
“I love you so much,” she added of her spouse. “Sharing this story because my surgeon told Elliot I was a few sleeps away from not waking up ever again. And if he hadn’t forced me to go to the ER that day, I wouldn’t have gone.”
She concluded, “We have to take care of ourselves first, friends. Love you all ❤️.”
As Orleans recuperates, she has her culinary colleagues in her corner.
“Oh my gosh Leigh! I’m so happy you’re OK now,” Sammi Tarantino wrote in the comments section. “Thanks for sharing your story, it’s so important! ILY sending you lots of love and a fast recovery.”
Hanalei Souza, meanwhile, replied, “This is wild! Thank you for sharing. … Women often go to an actual [doctor] and are overlooked, told they’re fine and are billed like a million dollars after insurance. No wonder we are forced to have to look for solutions on our own and it becomes our default whenever we feel anything. I’m glad you’re healing up.”
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