Selena Gomez speaks out about her life-saving kidney transplant
She tells all in an emotional interview
Last updated 30th Oct 2017
Last month Selena Gomez shocked her fans when she posted a photo of herself in hospital with the caption 'So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering,' revealing she had had a life-saving kidney transplant, with her friend, actress Francia Raisa, donating her own kidney to the 'Bad Liar' singer.
Selena and Francia have now spoken out for the first time in an interview aired on American TV, after previously taking to Instagram to say they would share their story in time.
Suffering from lupus, an autoimmune disease, Selena explained that as a result of the disease she suffered from a number of health issues, including kidney failure and arthritis which is now better since the transplant.
Speaking to the Today programme Selena and her friend revealed how the decision to have the transplant came about; with Francia ultimately making that decision that would give the singer the gift of life.
With her kidneys shutting down and just weeks away from dialysis, Selena said "My mentality was just to keep going."
Francia went on to explain how Selena came home one day and couldn't open a bottle of water. "She chucked it and she started crying. I said, ‘What's wrong?' and that's when she told me."
Francia continued, "She goes, ‘I don't know what to do. The donor list is seven to 10 years long.'"
This was when Francia decided to find out if she could be a potential donor. Explaining on Today, Francia said she did most of the physical and psychological evaluations that normally take six months in just a day, and amazingly she was a match for her friend. Despite Selena's protests that she couldn't expect her friend to donate her kidney, Francia refused to back down.
The pair then explained how they prepared for the surgery by getting matching French braids and having an indulgent meal the night before.
As with any surgery there is always a risk and Francia described how it was scary that she had to write a will, "there's no guarantee you'll wake up" she explained.
Watch the full interview below:
This interview comes just a few weeks after it was revealed that Selena would release a documentary about her health issues.
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