Heather Childers, host of the 4 a.m. hour of Fox & Friends First, returned to the network this morning 8 weeks after having neck surgery to correct a condition called cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy.
Childers wrote a Fox News op-ed about her return, and what viewers should take away from her experience.
“I want to share my story with all of you reading this, along with my TV audience, because I want you to learn from a big mistake I made. I ignored warnings signs my body was sending me saying something was wrong. I won’t do that again – and hope none of you will do that either. Take it from me: ignoring a health problem won’t make it go away. Don’t make excuses when you are dealing with real physical symptoms, or wait for a medical emergency before you see a doctor.”
In the op-ed, she also explains when she decided to take serious action.
“But I had no choice when my medical problem turned into a crisis in early July while I was hosting “Fox & Friends First.” Shooting pains started ricocheting through the right side of my head. I made it through the show and went home immediately afterward, hoping my ferocious headache would go away. The next day, thinking I was better, I went back to work and it happened again – only worse. Again, I went immediately home, hoping the terrible pain would go away. It didn’t – for four long days. I went in to the hospital for an MRI of my brain. Thankfully, I saw an outstanding neurologist – Dr. Ludmilla Bronfin. During my initial exam, she also tested my reflexes and discovered they were overactive – a condition called hyperreflexia, which can be caused by a variety of conditions. As a result, she ordered an MRI not only of my brain, but also of my neck.”
Since this story posted, Heather Childers has left Fox news. To see the latest, check out: Fox News, Heather Childers Part Ways.