If you believe that Hollywood celebrities are way different than we are, touching stories like this one are a reminder that they are just ordinary people like us who experience pain and go through things.

In her latest interview with Dr. Phil, Academy Award winner Kathy Bates opens up about her illness and what she had to endure without sharing it with the rest of the world..

Out of the blue, life gave her the toughest role she ever had to play – that of a real-life fighter and warrior who had to beat cancer for the second time.

Back in 2012, she gathered the strength to share, “It’s no secret that I am an ovarian cancer survivor, nine years and counting. But few know that several weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” Describing what it feels like to be diagnosed with this disease, she says, “You think American Horror Story is scary? You should’ve been in that room with me.”

After she was told the devastating news that she suffers from ovarian cancer back in 2003, her ordeal started taking place. She underwent multiple painful surgeries and nine months of chemotherapy but decided not to share it with anyone. She said, “I didn’t tell anybody. I continued to work right after the operation, doing Little Black Book with Brittany Murphy. My agent at the time was very old-school and didn’t want me to be the poster child for ovarian cancer. I didn’t want anyone to know, but it really took a lot out of me.”

Her strong will helped her overcome the situation and be cancer-free up until that moment when her doctor told her she was back at the start. She had cancer again. She wondered whether she would have to walk the same path of pain and suffering all over again.

After learning she had breast cancer, she wasn’t that surprised because, as she says, “breast cancer runs like a river in my family.” After sharing this with her followers, she opted for a double mastectomy in hopes of preventing it from spreading any further.

This time, she decided to turn her tragedy into inspiration for other women. This brave lady didn’t lose her vibrant personality along the way and even joked, “I don’t miss my breasts as much as I miss Harry’s Law,” while thanking her fans for the support they’ve provided during her tough times.

She did her best to replace the plate of sour green tomatoes her life served her with one of Fried Green Tomatoes instead, and we are lucky she did it.

Currently, Kathy Bates is cancer-free, but the disease left her with a condition known as lymphedema, which affects around 30 percent of breast cancer survivors. It is a result of the removal of her lymph nodes. Unfortunately, it causes her pain and swelling that makes her feel uncomfortable.

“It’s a souvenir you definitely don’t want. I really felt that life was over for me. I probably wouldn’t work again, and I was angry for a long time.”

This whole experience made her speak about her condition publicly in hopes of inspiring other women to do regular check-ups and to know that they are not alone in their battle. Bates also became an ambassador for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN).

“I’m grateful my hardships have given me a purpose. Funny how that happens.”

Below is her interview where she gets brutally honest about what it feels like to face the battles she fought.

Stories of Hollywood celebrities facing health struggles remind us that they are just like us. In a recent interview on the Dr. Phil show, Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates opened up about her battle with cancer and the challenges she faced in silence. Despite her fame, Bates found herself playing the role of a courageous fighter in a real-life drama, fighting cancer not just once, but twice.

In 2012, she revealed that she had successfully overcome ovarian cancer and had been cancer-free for nine years. However, just a few weeks ago, she received the devastating news of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Describing the moment she received this life-altering diagnosis, she compared it to being in a room scarier than an American Horror Story.

Bates had already endured a difficult journey with ovarian cancer in 2003. She underwent painful surgeries and nine months of chemotherapy, all while keeping her battle a secret. She confided in only a few, including PEOPLE magazine, saying, “I didn’t want anyone to know, but it really took a lot out of me.”

Her determination and strength allowed her to conquer ovarian cancer and remain cancer-free for many years. However, her battle wasn’t over when her doctor informed her that cancer had returned, this time in her breast. Despite this setback, Bates wasn’t entirely surprised, stating that breast cancer is prevalent in her family.

In her fight against breast cancer, Bates made the choice to undergo a double mastectomy to stop its progression. Instead of allowing her tragedy to consume her spirit, she transformed it into motivation for other women. Even in the face of adversity, Bates maintained her lively character and sense of humor. She joked, “I miss ‘Harry’s Law’ more than my breasts,” and expressed gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support during her darkest moments.

Although Bates is currently cancer-free, she now lives with lymphedema due to the removal of her lymph nodes. This condition, affecting approximately 30% of breast cancer survivors, brings pain and swelling, causing discomfort in her daily life. However, Bates refuses to let it define her. She openly shares her story, hoping to encourage other women to prioritize regular check-ups and let them know they are not alone in their battle.

Bates has also taken on the role of ambassador for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), using her platform to raise awareness and support for those affected by lymphedema.

Throughout her journey, Bates has discovered a sense of purpose and resilience. She reflects, “I’m thankful that my difficulties have provided me with a sense of purpose. It’s interesting how things work out like that.”

Kathy Bates’ interview sheds light on the challenges she has overcome and serves as an inspiration for others who may be facing similar battles. Her story reminds us that with determination, humor, and support, we can transform our own struggles into sources of strength.