Emotional reason Kim Kardashian kept her esophagitis diagnosis a secret
Kim Kardashian has revealed how her father's death in 2003 meant she decided to keep her own health battle a secret.
Kim Kardashian kept her esophagitis diagnosis secret because of her father's death in 2003.
The 46-year-old star has been diagnosed with esophagitis - which is the swelling, inflammation or irritation of the lining of the esophagus - after a period of "feeling a little off".
Speaking on The Kardashians, she said: "I've seen a couple of doctors, and it's been heavy on my mind lately.
“I haven't really told too many people about this just because I think it's something that really hits home for me.
“I just don't really want to go there with my dad having passed away from esophagus cancer.”
Kim's father Robert Kardashian Sr died in 2003 aged 59, just two months after being diagnosed with cancer.
In the new episode of her family's reality show, Kim noted her ideal situation would be taking some medication to make the illness "go away".
In a preview for the next episode, it's been revealed Kim would need surgery.
Meanwhile, the reality star and Skims founder recently revealed the final conversation she shared with her late dad, including recalling how he predicted her future and asked her to look after her siblings.
In Jonathan Van Meter’s new biography, Citizen Kim, she said: "The last thing my dad ever said to me was, ‘I know you’re going to be good – I can see it. It’s as if I can see what your whole life is going to be like’.”
She recalled Robert, a lawyer who became nationally known for his involvement in the OJ Simpson murder trial, was seriously ill when they spoke.
Kim added: “My dad didn’t go into detail, and he was kind of in and out of it: ‘I can see it’. He put his hand on my leg. I’ll never forget it.”
She described lying beside him on a sofa while they watched a film together, shortly before his death.
Kim said: “And I was laying next to him on this couch – this L-shaped couch – and we were kind of squished in this way, watching a movie.”
She added: “And he said, ‘You’ll be fine. But take care of the other ones. And make sure your brother’s good’.”
Robert was the father of Kim and her siblings Kourtney Kardashian, 47, Khloé Kardashian, 42, and Rob Kardashian, 39, from his marriage to Kris Jenner, 70.
Kim also described what she said to her father as his condition deteriorated and he became unable to communicate.
She said: “He couldn’t communicate, but he was in his little bed, and I knew his vitals were almost gone, and the last thing I said to him was, ‘Dad, thank you so much for everything that you’ve taught me, from how to be a good person, to how you did my homework with me, everything I’m going to do with my kids one day. And I’m going to take the lesson of you being in my life and carry that forward.’”
The businesswoman said a pastor subsequently advised the family to say their goodbyes and leave the house.
Kim said: “Then the pastor came into the room and said, ‘Everyone should say goodbye because it’s only a matter of time, and he’s holding on because you girls are here. Maybe say your goodbyes and then leave the house, and he’ll pass away’.”
She added: “And that’s exactly what we did, and that’s exactly what happened.”
