Bijou Phillips reportedly has a strong support system as she faces her health crisis.
The entertainer remains on the wait list for a second kidney transplant, which needs to take place as soon as possible to ensure she does not succumb to the health scare. While fear of the life ahead of her lurks as she remains in waiting, the star has leaned on her circle of friends for support.
Bijou Phillips has her name back up in the media due to her state of health. She has maintained a low profile over the years, including during the highly publicized trial and conviction of her ex-husband, Danny Masterson.
Bijou Phillips Has Friends Rallying Round Her
Phillips’ long-time friend, Kathy Hilton, among others, has been a pillar of support for the former actress throughout her battle with kidney disease. Hilton shared an update on Wednesday, telling outlets that her pal had fears of death. “She was really afraid, and she was crying. She was afraid if she did the dialysis that she might not make it,” she said at the Reality TV Greats dinner.
Hilton disclosed that her husband, Richard, had to step in and give her some words of encouragement. He reminded the former actress to listen to her doctors and remember she has someone to live for, her young child, Fianna. After listening to Richard, Phillips was able to pull it together. “The Real Housewives” star noted that Phillips has a “great group of friends” and an “incredible” family who stand by her every step of the way. Their closest confidants are “a big family of friends” who lean on each other when the going gets tough.
US Weekly shared that the friendship between Phillips and Hilton extends beyond just the two of them. As earlier stated, Richard spoke to the star to encourage her; he was also the one who assisted the mother of one to get into UCLA. When Phillips went to the hospital, the “RHOBH” star’s daughters, Nicky and Paris Hilton, were among the several of Phillips’ friends who kept her company.
The Love Within The Friendship Circle Goes Beyond Words
While Hilton shared the update, she expressed gratitude on Phillips’ behalf, saying she is “really grateful” to everyone for their support. She also revealed that “almost 1,000 people have signed up” to be potential kidney donors. Admitting that not everyone would end up being a perfect match for her friend, she shared that the potential donors are willing and open to helping others in need.
“How unbelievable is that, and how great is that for the hospital. Not everybody will be a match, but these people are into it and want to stay on the list to help other people,” she divulged. Hilton also disclosed that there was a friend of her daughter, Nicky, who also joined the league of potential donors. She applied to be a donor for the former actress, whom she has never met, but unfortunately, was not a match.
This would mark the second time Phillips is in need of a kidney. She had her first transplant in 2017. “That first transplant gave me 8 precious years to be a mother to my daughter, but I have had many complications since, including the BK virus, which led to both a cellular and antibody rejection,” she wrote in a statement released in February.
Bijou Phillips Fears The Uncertainty Of Her Life And Death
Phillips shared that she had started undergoing dialysis at UCLA Health and was beginning to feel “pretty good,” but is still in dire need of a kidney. She has decided to face this health battle head-on, finding the urge to keep on living for her daughter.
The mom of one revealed that she has needed a transplant for a year now, and her life is “sort of hanging on by a thread.” She also noted that how long she can live while she waits to get a new kidney is completely uncertain due to the complicated and risky nature of dialysis.
The Blast shared that the former actress’s fear stemmed from a family experience with dialysis. Her late father, who also required dialysis, developed “an infection in his line” and “was dead within three days because his immune system was so weak.” While she remains hopeful that history does not repeat itself, she recognises the urgency with which the transplant must take place.
The 45-Year-Old’s First Kidney Also Came From A Friend
Phillips has battled with kidney issues all her life. She was born with underdeveloped kidneys and, as a result, spent the first three months of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on dialysis. In 2017, after a lifelong battle with kidney diseases, Phillips underwent her first kidney transplant.
Her ex-husband, Masterson, celebrated online after the procedure, calling it a successful kidney transplant. The donor was an unidentified male friend who appeared in the star’s former partner’s post, holding hands with Phillips while they lay in their respective hospital beds.
As reported by The Blast, Masterson stated at the time that over the past seven years, his then-wife was slowly dying from an incurable kidney disease, but thankfully, “a tall angel” gifted them a miracle, and they were grateful for a 100 percent successful transplant.
Bijou Phillips Wants Nothing To Do With Her Ex
Masterson was accused and found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in the early 2000s. The victims alleged that the disgraced actor showed no sign of remorse for the crimes. Ultimately, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Shortly after his sentencing, Phillips filed for divorce, and the marriage was dissolved.
It made headlines last year that the mom of one filed court documents to legally changed their daughters name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips. This move only indicates that she wants to completely sever ties with her former lover and subsequently remove the negative effect the name may have on their daughter.
The Blast shares that although Phillips was fully supportive of Masterson during his legal battles, that ship has sailed. She reportedly ignited a new romantic flame with businessman Jamie Mazur.
Hopefully, Bijou Phillips gets a new kidney soon!