When Cristy Lee makes her comeback to HGTV in the upcoming competition series “Battle on the Mountain” premiering on January 22, 2024, it marks a new beginning for the real estate expert and car enthusiast.
Having launched her HGTV show “Steal This House” in 2022, Lee faced significant health challenges and secretly planned her wedding from her bed, as disclosed to People. Despite the hurdles in her health journey, she shared with the magazine that she tied the knot with her longtime partner in November, demonstrating her determination to not let obstacles hinder her path to the altar.
Cristy Lee Fell Ill Days After Booking Her Car-Themed Wedding Venue
On November 18, 2023, Cristy Lee, known for her roles on Motortrend’s “Garage Squad” and “Celebrity IOU: Joyride,” exchanged vows with her eight-year boyfriend, John Hawkins.
Despite the wedding taking place on that date, the couple opted to keep their nuptials private for two months. It wasn’t until January 19 that Lee shared a photo from their wedding on Instagram, captioning it with a simple, “Just gonna leave this right here…”
The couple chose to celebrate their union with a wedding for 160 guests at the historic Packard Proving Grounds in Michigan, where they reside. The 17-acre site, once home to the Packard Motor Car Co. since 1927, captivated them with its rich automobilia and history.
The journey to this wedding venue, however, was not without challenges. Following Hawkins’ proposal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, just before Christmas, Lee encountered a severe migraine in early 2023, leading to progressive swelling and pain for a week. This eventually prompted a trip to the ER, marking the beginning of a tumultuous health journey she would endure throughout the year.
In October, Lee shared on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease (TED). She underwent two eye surgeries and initiated a treatment plan that included steroid injections in her eyes.
Opening up about her health crisis in August 2023, Lee posted a video on Instagram revealing her swollen and bruised face, describing the preceding eight months as “the most challenging time in my entire life.” Graves’ disease led to hyperthyroidism, prompting a “thyroid storm” that necessitated monitoring her heart rate, blood pressure, and medication adjustments. Opting for a Total Thyroidectomy, Lee discovered, upon its removal, that cancer was present in her thyroid, as revealed on Instagram.
While Cristy Lee has found a way to manage her Graves’ disease, she acknowledges that her uncommon eye condition has proven to be a more challenging obstacle to overcome.
In her own words, she described the physical toll of the eye disease as debilitating, causing severe pain, swelling, impaired vision, lack of mobility, facial changes, and heightened light sensitivity (resulting in the need for sunglasses around the clock). The impact extended to her daily life, preventing her from driving for five months. Yet, the mental toll proved even more significant.
Reflecting on her experience, Lee shared that mentally, the eye disease took a toll, surpassing the physical challenges. Despite her innate strength, she admitted that this particular health struggle had a profound effect on her mental well-being. The state of her mental health faced a difficult period, acknowledging that she went through a breaking point during this time.
Cristy Lee Decided to Carry On With Wedding Despite Health Crisis, But Still Saved the Date
Cristy Lee shared with People that, despite contemplating the idea of postponing her wedding to John Hawkins, she was determined not to let her health become an obstacle to tying the knot.
“We considered postponing,” she revealed, “but then we decided, ‘We’re doing this. We’re going to do this wedding regardless of how I look or if I feel well enough. We’re making it happen.’ Nothing was going to take this day away from me. I thought, ‘This is my day!'”
The wedding planning process was a challenge, as she did much of it from her bed. Describing it as “a hustle to the finish line,” Lee expressed gratitude for the support of her family and friends, without whom the event would not have been possible.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she acknowledged. “The outpouring of love and help from the people who are most important to us was just incredible. Everything I went through with my health just puts life into a totally different perspective. In the end, what’s most important is the people close to you.”
In a January 18 Instagram post, Lee shared that she continues to undergo treatment for inflammation in her eyes, including recent steroid injections. Despite the challenges, she expressed relief and humor about the process.
“Yea it’s exactly what it looks like — a giant needle going into my eye lol. Injected under the eye and into the muscles behind it to reduce inflammation and pressure, and boy, did this provide relief,” she wrote. She added with a touch of humor, “I puked about 2 minutes after this video was taken though 😂 but I’d do it again to ease the symptoms even a little!”
Despite her ongoing health journey, Lee found solace in returning to work with HGTV for its new competition series, “Battle on the Mountain.” She shared with People that the experience of shooting the show was meaningful and a huge relief, expressing honor in being a part of it.