Kathie Lee Gifford Says She "Wanted to Die" While Recovering From Multiple Surgeries.
Kathie Lee Gifford is reflecting on a challenging period in her life. The ex- co-host of Kathie Lee and Hoda discusses the "debilitating" suffering she went through while recuperating from surgery for a number of conditions, including cataracts, a broken arm, a shattered pelvis, and a total hip replacement.
"I feel like Mr. Potato Head," in a June 30 interview, Gifford informed People. "One thing falls off and then another. But you have to have a sense of humor about everything. Thank God I've never lost that, even in my bleakest moments."
The 72-year-old, who disclosed that she needed hip surgery after playing with her grandchildren, claimed that her mental health suffered as a result of the numerous recuperation periods.
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"I couldn't carry them, I couldn't love on them, I couldn't run and play with them," regarding her five grandchildren, she stated. "All I could do was sit there and sing and write silly songs with them."
Gifford said that as a result of her health issues, she eventually started to distance herself from everyone.
"I don't want to disappoint people," she underlined. "When you're in pain, it's so debilitating, and everything's a grimace. I've had emotional pain many times in my life, but never this chronic physical pain where you literally want to go home to Jesus."
"I wanted to die a few times," she revealed. "I wasn't going to hurt myself. I wasn't going to kill myself. I just didn't want to be here—as blessed as I am."
Gifford, who had two children, Cassidy Gifford, 32, and Cody Gifford, 36, with her late husband Frank Gifford, believed she would find solace in the afterlife at difficult times.
Gifford is feeling more hopeful than ever about her future with her grandchildren, though, as she continues to heal. According to her, "I'm hoping, Lord willing, that I have many, many years with them."
