Bronwyn Newport on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.Photo:Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
Bronwyn Newport’s mother is recovering from emergency surgery after doctors discovered a brain tumor in the back of her skull, days before the holidays.
TheReal Housewives of Salt Lake Citystar opened up about her mother’s health battle in a series of Instagram Stories posts on Thursday, Dec. 26, explaining that she spent Christmas in the ICU caring for her parent.
“I am so scared and worried, but my mom has helped so many over the years. And refused help for herself always,” Newport, 39 wrote. “It is an honor to get to be the one who is here.”
“We are so hopeful after a long recovery, she’ll be her usual, feisty and amazing self,” Newport added.
Bronwyn Newport.Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
In her posts, Newport explained that her mother — who lives in California — was previously treated for a tumor “in an almost identical location” in the back of her skull, nearly 30 years prior.
She’s been in good health since, but has been “struggling” over the past month, Newport said, “getting more exhausted and frail” as she cared for Newport’s father, who has Alzheimer’s and in November, fell and broke his pelvis.
“After a few falls herself and a few doctors visits that weren’t productive, something clicked in my brain,” Newport said, recalling that her mother “had similar dizziness, confused and exhausted symptoms” when she was first diagnosed.
Bronwyn Newport’s daughter (center) with Newport’s mother and father.Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
“I spent all afternoon with her in the ER, and then Christmas Eve too,” Newport wrote. “I went home that night to be with my dad and one of his wonderful caregivers. Thank goodness you can get pizza delivery for three delivered on Christmas Eve night!”
The experience meant Newport, like many people with sick relatives, couldn’t spend the holidays with her immediate family, including husband, Todd Bradley, and 18-year-old daughter, Gwen. “Super thank goodness Todd and Gwen adore each other enough to celebrate with makeshift Christmas Eve and Day plans without me!” she said.
Bronwyn Newport (center) with her family (from left to right): daughter Gwen, husband Todd and Newport’s mom and dad.Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
Being in caretaker mode is something Newport learned from her mother.
The care package Bronwyn Newport provided for her mother.Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
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With that in mind, Newport said it was like “muscle memory” when she began to look after her mom. “I knew to get her cozy items, a photo of my dad, lotion, socks, her own toothbrush and hygiene items to find my mom’s cheerful, calm and patient self,” Newport said, showing off the items she brought with her to the hospital which included a can of Pepsi and a can of Dr. Pepper. “And of course, a contraband soda or two. She also taught me my love for those!”
The Bravolebrity went on to share some tips for others
“Your own socks are way better than hospital socks” Newport said. “And my mom taught me nothing feels better than good lotion and foot rub and a fresh clean socks when everything else hurts.”
Bronwyn Newport (left) with her daughter and Newport’s mother.Bronwyn Newport/Instagram
As of Friday morning, Newport has not provided an update on her mother’s health. But she did share photos of her family from past Christmases, as well as a scathing message for critics.
“This does incite a bit of rage in me, too,” Newport said. ‘The whispers of gossip about my family, and how we have handled trying to allow my mother her independence and letting her come to terms with needing and accepting help have gotten back to me. Those who felt my choice to be on Bravo and or posting contractually obligated and pre-filmed things online while I was at the same time trying to quietly help my parents and not yet share about this all… and then talked behind my back or worse online about me is despicable. Especially those of you who have benefitted from my mother’s kindness to you and your families over the years."
“As disrespectfully as possible, I won’t forget this,” Newport said. “I am focusing now, though, on how grateful I am for the many that were truly so kind to my mom and helpful, as I was, in and out.”
source: people.com