Here's a story that could've made fans of "Little House on the Prairie" hold their breaths. Back in late November, Melissa Gilbert, the actress who stole our hearts as Laura "Half Pint" Ingalls, shared a photo of herself in a hospital gown after undergoing a complex spinal surgery. Now, you might think this would be a cause for concern, but Melissa quickly reassured everyone that this operation wasn't just successful—it was life-changing.
"Surgery was wildly successful," Melissa, now 56, shared on Instagram, posting a picture of herself connected to an IV with a large bandage on her neck. She added, "Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. I send so much love back to you all. Happy Thanksgiving indeed!" It's clear that Melissa's gratitude extends far beyond the medical success; she's genuinely touched by the outpouring of support from her fans.
A Decade of Challenges
While 2020 was tough for everyone, Melissa's last ten years have been filled with a series of accidents and medical procedures that brought nothing but pain and difficulty. This recent surgery marked her third attempt to fix the damage caused by a broken back she suffered during a 2010 tour of a musical adaptation of "Little House." At the time, Melissa joked about the situation, saying, "I thought doing a musical at 46 playing a woman in her late 20s, early 30s was amazing enough. But doing it with a broken back buys me a little more street cred."
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From that moment on, Melissa's health has been a rollercoaster. "It's been three weeks now," she told Good Morning America in early December, with a hint of relief in her voice. "I probably will not have any more spine problems from now on." For Melissa, this surgery wasn't just about fixing an injury—it was about reclaiming her life.
The Long Road to Recovery
After her 2010 injury, Melissa sought the expertise of Dr. Robert Bray from Disc Sports & Spine Center in Newport Beach, California, who had previously helped her with a herniated disc fusion. "Melissa had a fusion in her neck and did fine for many years," Dr. Bray explained. But life has a way of throwing curveballs. In 2012, Melissa hit her head and suffered whiplash and a concussion while competing on "Dancing With the Stars." To make matters worse, a few months later, the balcony of a rented house collapsed, causing lasting nerve damage.
Melissa described the aftermath: "I have numbness in my right hand, shooting pains in my right arm, and numbness in my neck." It was a battle she faced with resilience and determination.
New Beginnings and Challenges
In 2016, Melissa found love again, marrying actor and director Timothy Busfield. The couple lived in Michigan for five years, where Melissa even ran for Congress. Unfortunately, her health issues persisted, forcing her to drop out of the race. "My doctors said there’s no way for me to continue," Melissa explained, a testament to the physical toll her condition had taken.
Despite the setbacks, Melissa decided to give surgery another try this year. Though nervous, she channeled her inner "Half Pint," drawing on the courage and determination that made her character so beloved. "The one who believes anything is possible, the one with courage and moxie to spare!" she wrote.
This time, the surgery to remove previous hardware and install an artificial disc brought the relief she'd been longing for. And just in time, too! Melissa and Timothy are expecting a new grandbaby in June, courtesy of her son Dakota and his wife. "I really want to be as strong as I can be," Melissa said, "so I can race in there and squeeze that baby!"
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Here's to Melissa's continued strength and the brighter days ahead!
