Close

Wonderwall

Rosie O'Donnell's Fiancee, Michelle Rounds, Diagnosed With Rare Tumors

USMagazine, Friday, August 3, 2012, 10:30am (PDT)
  • Rosie O'Donnell is standing by her fiancĂ©e, Michelle Rounds, for the biggest challenge of her life.

    On Friday, the 50-year-old comedian and talk show host revealed on her blog that, after months of unexplained pain and "medical mystery," Rounds has been diagnosed with desmoid tumors, an extremely rare, cancer-like disease.

    Rounds, whom O'Donnell calls "Mish," awoke on Mother's Day to "morning pain that won't let up."

    PHOTOS: Celebrity health scares

    As doctors struggled to diagnose Rounds' condition, "We wander thru the maze of medical mystery confused – scared . . .undiagnosed – again and again, her pain grew worse," O'Donnell wrote. "It seemed impossible no one knew what was wrong."

    Finally, doctors diagnosed Rounds with desmoid tumors, which O'Donnell calls "odd and curious beasts . . . a non-cancer that acts cancerous."

    PHOTOS: Other recent engagements in Hollywood

    According to the website for the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, the extremely rare disease, also known as aggressive fibromatoses, arises from connective tissue, with approximately 900 new cases occurring each year in the U.S. Although desmoid tumors cannot metastasize like more well-known cancers, they can destroy adjacent normal tissues, including bone, and can be fatally destructive.

    Rounds is "recovering from surgery in June, getting stronger every day," writes O'Donnell.

    As a result of the diagnosis, the couple, who got engaged in late December, have delayed their wedding to summer 2013. In lieu of gifts, they ask for donations to be made to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation.

    PHOTOS: Out-and-proud celebs

    "Good thoughts, wishes, prayers all welcomed," O'Donnell wrote.

    Prior to the discovery of Rounds' disease, she had been seeing a fertility doctor in the hopes of conceiving a child. O'Donnell revealed back in January that Rounds was "trying to get pregnant."

    Their nuptials had been planned to take place in Long Island, where O'Donnell grew up.

    RELATED FROM WONDERWALL:

    Countdown: The Most Powerful Gay Celebrities

    Stars' Surprising Medical Revelations

Wonderwall Video

  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 23, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 22, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 21, 2013
  • 7 of Rihanna's Worst Looks
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 17, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 16, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 15, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 14, 2013
  • 7 Most Outrageous Gwyneth Paltrow Quotes
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 10, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 9, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 8, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 7, 2013
  • 7 Best Bikini Bods
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 3, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 2, 2013
  • 7 Wonders of the Wall for May 1, 2013
Show Comments
When using Facebook Connect your image and name may display on Wonderwall. All Privacy Settings are controlled by Facebook

More Wonderwall

aa