Sandra Lee has just faced down one of ths scariest things many women say they could face. The television chef just underwent a double mastectomy for DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ.
Sandra Lee told the world about her diagnosis on Good Morning America last week. Tuesday, her boyfriend — who also happens to be the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, released a statement about her condition after surgery.
Sandra Lee is “as well as can be expected,” Governor Cuomo said.
“Around 8 a.m. this morning, Sandy underwent surgery that concluded just before 1 p.m. I am happy to report that she is doing as well as can 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.”
Last week, Sandra Lee told Robin Roberts that she had been shocked by the sudden diagnosis.
“I just was still. I didn’t even cry, I was stunned,” Sandra Lee said. “And that’s how fast life turns, it turns on a dime.”
Like many women, Sandra Lee considered a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, but her doctors advised a more radical approach.
“Both the radiologist and the doctor said, ‘You’re a ticking time bomb,’ and they both said, ‘I would just get them both done.’”
Sandra Lee is famous for her Food Network show Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, as well as Sandra’s Restaurant Remakes and Sandra Lee’s Taverns, Lounges & Clubs.
She popularized the “semi-homemade” cooking concept that recognizes how busy many people are. The idea is for the average recipe to use 70 percent pre-packaged products, but 30 percent homemade ingredients.
Sandra Lee, TV host and companion of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has double mastectomy http://t.co/r8gcMYLdo3 pic.twitter.com/RQu9kEHKZc
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 20, 2015