Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that his son, who is just 7 years old, has had his third open-heart surgery.
Whether he’s taking a political stance or tackling a hot entertainment topic, Jimmy Kimmel always has something to say.
He’s a comedian, but Kimmel’s take on some of his most personal and painful topics also applies.
We all hope Billy doesn’t have to have a fourth surgery. Meanwhile, Kimmel is expressing gratitude for the dedicated professionals who are helping her son.
Billy Kimmel is only 7 years old.
On Monday, May 27, Jimmy Kimmel shared a very personal post on Instagram.
“This weekend, our son Billy had his third (of three) open-heart surgery,” the talk show host announced. Billy is 7 years old.
“We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and almost as much fear,” Kimmel said. “And a new valve came into the body of a happy, healthy child.”
“Thank you again to Billy’s doctors, led by our wonderful surgeon Vaughn Starnes, cardiologist Tim Casarez, and our wonderful, hard-working staff, doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners,” Kimmel said.
He continued: “Includes but is not limited to Misty, Ann, Sylvia, Dana, Caleigh, Nick, Bekah, Julie, Kenny, Caroline, Lisa, Stephanie, Ellize, Ivy, Pam, and Carrie.”
Kimmel described them as experts who “helped us with immeasurable kindness and expertise.”
Jimmy Kimmel knows his son isn’t the only one going through this.
“It is a humbling experience to walk through these hospitals and meet the most vulnerable parents, suffering children, and the miracle workers doing their best to save them,” Kimmel recalled.
“I hope we don’t need CHLA,” he said of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“But if you do, know that you are helping families regardless of their ability to pay,” Kimmel said. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (another tribute to the late Senator John McCain) and the generous donations of companies like Disney, especially generous people like you, who make us proud to work for them.”
Jimmy Kimmel said, “Thank you Dr. Paul Viviano. “My family and I are so grateful to have you in our city and our lives.”
“Thank you to all the loving strangers who took the time to pray for our baby and send their positive energy,” he said. “We are grateful to our family and friends who have rallied around us to an almost ridiculous degree.”
Kimmel then turned to his wife and son and said: “Thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than any mom and Billy, you are the toughest and funniest 7-year-old we know.”
Despite his son’s struggles, Jimmy Kimmel knows it could be harder.
Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged, “There are too many parents and children who are not lucky enough to be able to go home after five days.”
In May 2017, seven years before this post, Billy had his first open-heart surgery.
His second came out the same year, in December 2017. Like Jimmy Kimmel, we hope his son never needs any more medical intervention. Billy deserves a healthy and happy life.
