Multiple reports indicate that Sandra Lee experienced an ischemic stroke, where blood supply to the brain is blocked by a clot, during production of her television program. According to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz, Sandra Lee described initial symptoms on set, including sweating and not feeling like herself, which she thought was a hot flash. After filming, she went to her parents' home and felt restless, with shooting pains in one leg and difficulty walking down stairs, as she recounted to The Independent - Main and Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz.
The next morning, she noticed weakness on one side of her body, with her hand collapsing and trouble articulating speech, leading her to wonder if she was having a stroke, according to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz. Her father, a dermatologist, insisted she go to the emergency room immediately, according to multiple reports. At the hospital, an MRI scan confirmed she had suffered an ischemic stroke, with Sandra Lee telling Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz that part of her brain had died.
It happened while I was filming the show. I had what I thought was a hot flash. I got super sweaty and didn’t feel like myself.
The exact cause or trigger of the stroke remains unknown, and details of her immediate medical treatment have not been disclosed. She spent two months recovering and undergoing physical and occupational therapy, according to major media. Sandra Lee returned to work in January 2024, as reported by major media.
Filming for the season was halted immediately after the stroke, according to major media. According to The Independent - Main, Sandra Lee described having post-traumatic stress disorder since the stroke occurred on set, and she expressed fear about not having total control of her left hand or strong grip. How the stroke has affected her ability to perform dermatological procedures is not specified, and what preventive measures she is taking to avoid future health incidents has not been confirmed.
I just felt very restless. In one leg I kept feeling shooting pains.
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I was having a tough time walking down the stairs.
I would hold my hand out, and it would just slowly collapse. I noticed that I had a tough time articulating and just enunciating. I thought, 'Am I having a stroke?'
It was just a shock. As a physician, I couldn't deny that I had slurred speech, that I was having weakness on one side, but I was like, 'Well, this is a dream, right?'
What essentially happened is, I had part of my brain that died.
I don't like that I don't have total control of my left hand or the grip wasn't as strong. If I feel like I'm not at my best — it's very scary.
It was very scary to me. I have a lot of PTSD since the stroke occurred on set.