Cory Wharton Shares Update on Daughter Maya’s Open Heart Surgery

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Cory Wharton‘s little girl is on the mend. 

Following a second open-heart surgery for their three-year-old daughter, Maya Wharton, who has a rare heart condition, former *The Challenge* contestant Taylor Selfridge’s ex-partner provided an update on her recovery.

Cory shared an update on Instagram on October 10th, saying Maya successfully underwent open-heart surgery (the Fontan procedure) on Tuesday. He expressed gratitude for everyone’s prayers, saying they were answered, and noted they are now navigating the challenges of the recovery process, which has its ups and downs.

In his message, he emphasized that his toddler has a hard road ahead of her, but she can handle it. 

He acknowledged a new difficulty, but remained optimistic, saying they would handle it as it appears. He expressed confidence in Maya, stating she’s strong and capable of overcoming it.

Cory expressed his gratitude to everyone who had been praying for his family during the medical procedure. He also asked people to keep other children facing health issues in their thoughts.

Seeing the difficult situations many families face at the Children’s Hospital was really tough. It made me want to do everything I can to support them, and it definitely put things into perspective – it reminded me how important it is to appreciate what you have.

Cory said the family expects to stay at the hospital for about a week while Maya continues to get better.

He finished by saying he hoped to share only good news in future updates, and expressed his gratitude once more.

The reality star, who is a father to 5-year-old Mila Wharton with Taylor, and 8-year-old Ryder with his ex, Cheyenne Floyd, had been preparing for this surgery for over three years.

Cory shared on Instagram on October 2nd that their daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with Tricuspid Atresia during pregnancy. This means Taylor will need at least two open-heart surgeries, and the time for the first one is approaching. Cory expressed feeling both excited to get the surgeries over with and understandably anxious about the process.

Maya, now 34, shared that her first heart surgery at six months old, in January 2023, faced complications. She ended up needing two weeks of care in the intensive care unit instead of the expected few days.

Even though they were worried, Cory and Taylor believed their toddler could handle the situation. Cory confidently said, “She’s strong and I know she can do it.”

I’m sending all my love and positive energy to Maya as she prepares for surgery. It’s been tough seeing her go through so much, but Taylor – who’s been so strong since her split from Cory earlier this year – shared that they’re really hoping this will be the last procedure she needs. We’re all just wishing for her to have a long and healthy life, and I truly believe this surgery will help her get there.

On September 29th, the 31-year-old shared on Instagram that she was both nervous and thrilled her friend was moving on from a difficult chapter in her life.

Taylor, who originally met Cory on *Ex on the Beach* in 2018, shared that it’s been four years of constant worry – including during her pregnancy – and she’s thankful for the experience. She’s grown a lot and now sees life in a new way, and is incredibly proud of her daughter for overcoming everything she’s faced.

For more insight into celebrity health journeys, keep reading…

Former *Total Bellas* star revealed that one of her breast implants moved after being hit in the chest during a wrestling match with Piper Niven in July 2025.

I remember telling my sister, Bella, that everything would be alright. I was dealing with a recent divorce, and I promised my doctor that as soon as my career slowed down – as soon as I ‘hung up my boots,’ so to speak – I’d come back and we’d get things sorted out. I wanted to make sure everything looked its best because I knew there was a lot of life ahead, and it needed to look good! Basically, I was planning a refresh for the future.

Lupita Nyong’o, known for her role in *12 Years a Slave*, received a diagnosis of uterine fibroids—non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus—in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film.

She didn’t reveal her diagnosis until 2025, sharing on Instagram that she had been privately struggling with it for over ten years.

She explained that many girls are taught to accept period pain as a normal part of being a woman. This often leaves them feeling like they have to deal with a common issue on their own.

 

In July 2025, the actress from *Daisy Jones & The Six* revealed she’d been hospitalized for a hernia. This happened because she’d been wearing pants that were too tight, which caused a gap in her abdominal muscles.

Someone messaged Suki on X (formerly Twitter) asking why she hadn’t tweeted recently. Suki jokingly replied, explaining she’d been hiding a painful injury – a hernia caused by wearing overly tight pants six months ago – and was afraid to mention it.

In April 2025, the former star of *Beverly Hills, 90210* shared that he was recovering from surgery to repair a nearly burst appendix.

Brian shared in an Instagram video that he recently experienced stomach pain which led him to the emergency room. He explained he had a perforated appendix – it hadn’t fully burst, but was very close to it.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

A Racing Louisville midfielder fell to the ground shortly after the start of her team’s game against Seattle Reign on September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Oh my gosh, I was watching the game and it was terrifying! She just started slowly sinking to the ground, and another player rushed to support her. Then, right after, she just… collapsed. The ref immediately called for the trainers, it was so scary to watch, I was so worried about her!

After receiving initial medical attention on the field, Savannah was taken to a nearby hospital for more tests, the National Women’s Soccer League reported. They stated she is currently in stable condition and fully conscious.

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from a childhood accident – he was hit by a cement truck at age 11 – continue to bother him now.

“It’s been incredibly difficult,” Devine shared on the *In Depth With Graham Bensinger* podcast in 2025. “I’ve been experiencing spasms all over my body, and doctors actually told me last year that I was facing a life-threatening situation.”

He acknowledged that his pain is intermittent, explaining that his body has some minor imperfections and doesn’t always function as expected.

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital because of severe back pain. He said he was in so much pain he had to crawl to get help, and the pain got worse during a road trip with a friend.

He described a persistent tingling sensation, saying, ‘Even now, bringing my knees to my chest, it still feels tingly, which is really strange.’ He explained that just a few weeks or a month ago, he was able to squat 295 pounds, but now he can’t even do a squat or stand on one foot without falling. He compared the feeling to having a stroke.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Gina Kirschenheiter, from *The Real Housewives of Orange County*, revealed that her ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, had a heart attack in March 2025, but he is now doing okay.

In March 2025, the actor from *30 Rock* experienced a medical issue at a New York Knicks game and had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

The comedian later posted on social media to explain he’d actually gotten food poisoning and was starting to feel better.

In February 2025, the former *Even Stevens* star revealed she was shot in the face during a birthday outing with her husband, Brendan Rooney. They were on a trip to go clay pigeon shooting when the incident occurred.

In an Instagram post, she explained that she was accidentally shot in the face by someone at a party who fired a gun unsafely. Thankfully, @thebrendanrooney quickly helped her, evaluated her injuries, and got her to the hospital. She was hit five times, and one bullet came dangerously close to her right eye – less than an inch away.

The *Kim Possible* actress explained that a small piece of something got stuck behind her eye. Doctors have advised against removing it with surgery right now, and they’ll keep monitoring her vision, which is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving a frightening experience. She shared her deep love for her daughters, husband, family, and friends, emphasizing how quickly life can change. She urged everyone to cherish their loved ones and hug them whenever possible, as life is precious and unpredictable.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, despite its often harsh nature, because it helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffier,” Schumer was surprised to see doctors commenting on her appearance online. They suggested she might have Cushing syndrome, potentially caused by steroid injections. This prompted her to realize she *had* been receiving steroid injections after a breast reduction and C-section. Without the online commentary, she wouldn’t have connected the injections to her symptoms and learned she had Cushing syndrome. Thankfully, doctors determined her condition would resolve on its own, which Schumer described as “the greatest news imaginable.”

During a game in December 2024, an AHL player was accidentally cut in the face by another player’s skate and needed 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how relieved they were, saying, “We feel very lucky, and I wouldn’t want any parent to go through that.”

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a frightening health scare while having breakfast with her husband, Justin. She suddenly developed stroke-like symptoms, struggling to speak and noticing her face drooping. Although the symptoms briefly subsided, she went to the hospital for evaluation. Doctors discovered she had a small blood clot in her brain, which they identified as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). Further testing at UCLA revealed Hailey had a hole in her heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This hole allowed the blood clot to travel to her brain, causing the TIA. Hailey has since undergone a successful procedure to close the PFO and is now doing well.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also experienced one. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

In a video posted to Instagram, Justin explained the virus affected the nerves in his ear and face, preventing him from blinking, smiling, or moving his nostril on the affected side. He also shared that it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to eat.

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually subsided. Hailey shared on *Good Morning America* that Justin was recovering well, adding that while the situation was frightening and unexpected, he was going to be okay and she was thankful he was doing better.

As someone who often talks about prioritizing well-being, I was really moved by Jamie Foxx’s openness about his health journey. He initially kept things private, but recently shared what happened back in April 2023. He described having a terrible headache one day while in Atlanta, and before he could even take an aspirin, he lost consciousness. He actually doesn’t remember the next 20 days!

Initially, a doctor gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, but thankfully, his sister Deidra realized something was seriously wrong and took him to the hospital. It turned out he’d experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke.

Twenty days after surgery, he woke up on May 4th in a wheelchair, unable to walk. He then dedicated himself to rehab and therapy in Chicago. It was a long road, and he’s incredibly grateful for all the prayers and support he received. He truly needed them, and it’s a powerful reminder to cherish our health and the people who care for us.

The reality TV star said she briefly stopped breathing while running a mile during the first challenge on the NBC competition show.

I was so moved when she shared her experience on *Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser*. She said she didn’t remember much, just the sound of a helicopter and this feeling of floating. Then, incredibly, she described seeing her grandpa before everything went dark. But then she saw light again, and she *knew* – she said she knew she had died that day. It was a really powerful moment.

She explained that her organs were failing. She hadn’t known she had rhabdomyolysis, a condition where the body essentially starts to shut down.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in *Game of Thrones*, revealed a harrowing health battle in a 2019 essay for *The New Yorker*. While filming the show, she experienced a sudden, severe headache while at the gym. She described collapsing and being violently ill, realizing something was seriously wrong with her brain.

A hospital scan quickly revealed she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage – a life-threatening stroke caused by bleeding around the brain – due to a ruptured aneurysm. She immediately underwent surgery to repair it, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she experienced aphasia, leaving her unable to speak coherently.

Though the aphasia eventually passed and she was discharged after a month, a 2013 scan revealed the aneurysm had grown and required a second surgery. This procedure failed, causing a major bleed and putting her life at risk. Doctors had to perform a more invasive surgery, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia reports she has now made a full recovery and is at 100%.

Oh my gosh, I’m just so relieved to hear Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, is doing better! It was terrifying to find out she had a stroke back in January 2024, but thankfully her family was *right there* for her. She actually texted them with a picture when it happened – can you imagine?! She told Will Marfuggi from TopMob News that everyone just rushed to help. It wasn’t just the stroke, though. She ended up staying in the hospital longer because of her lupus and her kidneys were failing too – poor thing! But she’s on the mend now, and she says she’s doing great! She had to work on getting her motor skills back, but honestly, after everything she’s been through, it’s amazing she’s doing as well as she is. I’m just so happy for her and the whole family!

Shailene Woodley struggled with her health throughout her early twenties. In a September 2024 podcast interview, she explained that she experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue – unable to walk for more than five minutes without needing to rest for hours – and persistent stomach pain. She faced confusion due to conflicting diagnoses from different doctors.

Shailene, who has kept her specific condition private, embarked on a decade-long journey to find answers, combining traditional medical advice with holistic and herbal remedies. This period of physical discomfort led to anxiety around food and ultimately, struggles with body image and a sense of self.

Fortunately, after years of addressing both her physical and mental wellbeing, Shailene is now healthy and feeling good. She expressed relief and happiness to have resolved the issues and regained her health.

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2025-10-10 21:49