Bijou Phillips, 46, announced Tuesday that she has received a life-saving kidney transplant, a development that brought her "beyond beyond grateful" for the donors who made it possible. The actress shared the news via Facebook, posting a photo from her hospital bed.
Phillips had publicly sought a living kidney donor earlier this year after a previous transplant in 2017 was rejected. While undergoing dialysis, she conveyed the urgency of her situation in February, stating that "time is of the essence."
She explained that a kidney exchange program facilitated by her brother's donation played a crucial role in her finding a compatible kidney. "My wonderful brother donated in the kidney exchange! He saved a life, and the life he saved had a special person donate for them, and then a few weeks later! The voucher program found me a perfect match!" Phillips wrote, describing the match as being "so close it’s like I got the kidney from one of my parents."
Earlier this year, Phillips had emphasized the precariousness of her health, noting that she could be "gone in a few days" if she contracted a kidney infection. Following the recent surgery, she expressed enthusiasm for the smooth recovery process and the minimal discomfort.
She lauded Dr. Veale for his surgical skills, noting the efficiency of the kidney exchange and voucher programs. Phillips stated that the surgeon made only a small incision, avoiding muscle cutting, which significantly reduced her need for pain medication. She reported feeling as well five days post-surgery as she did four months after her 2017 transplant.
