RHOC Star Emily Simpson’s Son to Undergo Brain Procedure for PANDAS

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Emily Simpson is sharing a major update on her son Luke‘s health journey.

The star of The Real Housewives of Orange County recently shared a heartfelt story about her 10-year-old child’s challenges with development, behavior, and an eating disorder called ARFID. She described the long and difficult path that ultimately led to a medical diagnosis.

Emily explained on the Bravo show’s reunion episode that her son’s sudden behavioral changes were very concerning. He had always been a bright, happy student with no problems in school, but recently, he completely changed – he began to act much younger, even talking like a baby and misbehaving, leaving her confused and worried.

Emily didn’t realize that when she told her story to her fans, they would rally to support her family during a difficult time.

After the first episode was released, Emily—who shares 12-year-old Annabelle and twin sons Keller with her husband, Shane Simpson—explained that she received a lot of messages from mothers asking if she had considered PANDAS.

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. It’s a condition where children suddenly start showing symptoms like obsessive-compulsive behaviors and tics after having strep throat.

The former lawyer explained that the boy had a severe case of strep throat in January. With PANDAS, the strep bacteria can linger and cause brain inflammation, leading to various symptoms similar to those of the initial infection. Children with autism spectrum disorder and those with ARFID, like this boy, are at a higher risk, suggesting a connection between these conditions and the illness.

Now, Emily and Shane have a treatment plan in place to help Luke recover.

The 49-year-old explained that he’s receiving laser therapy to decrease swelling in his brain. He was concerned about pain during the procedure, but was assured it wouldn’t hurt. The treatment requires five consecutive days of sessions lasting about three hours each, and is expected to reduce the swelling.

With hope in sight, Emily is beyond grateful for the RHOC fans who came to her aid.

I never would have considered getting my child tested for PANDAS if it hadn’t been for these other moms who noticed things and reached out to me. It’s been incredible to be part of a community where we share information and learn from each other, and I really appreciate that.

You can watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo every Thursday at 8 p.m. Plus, keep reading to learn about other celebrities who have openly shared their health challenges and recovery stories.

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit in the chest during a wrestling match with Piper Niven in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, that they would eventually get the issue resolved. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she finished her current commitment, she’d return to address the problem and ensure everything looked its best, because she planned to use them again and they couldn’t appear in their current condition.

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 privately struggled with it for over ten years.

She explained that growing up, many of us are taught to accept period pain as a normal part of being female. This often leaves us dealing with a common issue in silence and feeling isolated.

 

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

Okay, so Suki hasn’t posted on X (formerly Twitter) in FOREVER, and it’s killing me! Then, she finally writes something, and it’s… this?! She’s asking why she doesn’t tweet, and then drops this bombshell about a hernia from wearing super tight pants six months ago?! I’m seriously concerned and also… completely captivated. It’s just… so her. I’ve been obsessively checking for updates, and this is what I get?! I need answers, but honestly, even this is perfect.

The former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery because his appendix was close to rupturing.

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

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

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

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player sat down on the field with a teammate supporting her, and then quickly collapsed. Trainers were called to assess her condition.

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

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from being hit by a cement truck at age 11 continue to cause him problems even now.

“It’s been a terrible experience,” Devine shared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025. “I’ve been having spasms all over my body, and doctors recently told me I was facing a life-threatening situation—really, within the last year.”

He acknowledged that pain is temporary, explaining that his body has some minor imperfections and isn’t quite working as it should.

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital in extreme back pain, saying he had to crawl because it was so bad. The pain flared up during a road trip with a friend while traveling in an RV.

He described a strange tingling sensation that still lingered in his legs as of March 2025, sharing this on his Trading Secrets podcast. To illustrate the extent of the issue, he explained that just a few weeks prior, he’d been able to squat 295 pounds. Now, he couldn’t even manage a single squat or stand on one leg without falling, comparing the feeling to having had 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 recovering well.

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 else at a party. They fired a weapon unsafely, and she was hit five times, with one bullet narrowly missing her right eye. @thebrendanrooney quickly helped her by checking her injuries and rushing her to the hospital.

The former Kim Possible star shared that a small piece of something got stuck behind their eye. Doctors have advised against removing it with surgery right now, and they’ll be keeping a close watch on the situation. Thankfully, their vision is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving and shared a heartfelt message about cherishing loved ones. She spoke about how much she loves her daughters, husband, family, and friends, explaining that experiencing a near-death moment made her realize how quickly life can change. She urged everyone to hug their loved ones often, emphasizing the importance of appreciating every moment with them.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, even though it can be harsh, because it helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffy” during interviews, she was surprised when doctors began commenting online, concerned she might have Cushing syndrome. They pointed out changes in her face and suggested the possibility of high cortisol levels or steroid use. This prompted Amy to realize she’d received steroid injections following a breast reduction and C-section. She was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome, something she wouldn’t have known about without the online comments. Amy is now relieved to know her condition is temporary and that she is healthy, calling the news “the greatest news imaginable.”

During a December 2024 game, an AHL player was accidentally cut in the face by another player’s skate and needed 25 stitches. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald told ESPN how grateful 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 Bieber. She suddenly developed stroke-like symptoms, initially unable to speak or respond when Justin noticed something was wrong. She described her right face drooping and difficulty forming sentences, but these symptoms eventually subsided.

After going to the hospital, doctors discovered Hailey had experienced a small blood clot in her brain, which they identified as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). Further testing at UCLA revealed she had a hole in her heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Doctors determined the blood clot had traveled through the PFO and to her brain, causing the TIA. Hailey underwent a successful procedure to close the hole in her heart and is now recovering well.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also went through a difficult time. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to stop his Justice World Tour.

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

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually went away. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that Justin was recovering well, calling the situation scary and random, but expressing gratitude that he was going to be okay.

Jamie Foxx recently shared details about the serious health scare he experienced in April 2023, which he had previously kept private. In his 2024 Netflix special, What Had Happened Was
, he explained that he suffered from a severe headache one day while in Atlanta. Before he could even take an aspirin, he lost consciousness and doesn’t remember the next twenty days.

Initially, a doctor gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, but his sister, Deidra Dixon, was worried and took him to the hospital. There, they discovered he had a brain bleed that caused a stroke.

After surgery, Jamie woke up in a wheelchair on May 4th, unable to walk. He then traveled to Chicago for extensive rehabilitation and therapy. He expressed his gratitude for the prayers he received, saying, “I needed every prayer.”

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

She shared on the show Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser that her memory of the event was fragmented. She recalled hearing a helicopter, feeling like she was floating, and then seeing her grandfather. After that, she remembered only darkness, followed by light, which led her to realize she had died that day.

Let me tell you, I was seriously unwell. I actually ended up with something called rhabdomyolysis, and it was frightening. Basically, it’s your body’s emergency signal – a way of saying, ‘Something is critically wrong and I need to stop functioning normally to protect myself.’ I didn’t even realize what was happening until my organs started to fail, it was a really scary experience.

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 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 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 doubled in size, requiring a second surgery. This surgery was unsuccessful, leading to a major bleed and a critical situation. Doctors had to perform a more invasive procedure, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia reports she has now made a full recovery and is doing well.

Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, recently shared how thankful she is for her family’s support after a health scare. In January 2024, Cori suffered a stroke and immediately reached out to her loved ones. She told TopMob News that they quickly came to her aid.

Her hospital stay ended up being longer than expected due to other health issues. In addition to recovering from the stroke, Cori was also dealing with complications from lupus and kidney problems.

However, Cori is now doing well and recovering. She mentioned she had to work on regaining some motor skills, but overall, she’s feeling much better.

Shailene Woodley struggled with significant health issues throughout her early twenties. In a September 2024 podcast interview, she revealed she experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue, and persistent stomach pain, leading to a confusing array of diagnoses. Determined to find answers, Woodley combined traditional medical care with holistic and herbal remedies. This search for well-being lasted for ten years and, as her physical discomfort grew, she also battled with anxiety around food, body image issues, and questions about her identity. Ultimately, Woodley’s health improved, and she is now happy to report she is fully recovered and feeling very healthy.

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2025-11-07 05:18