TMZ has the scoop on why Selena Gomez was largely absent from the public eye over the summer—and it didn't have anything to do with Justin Bieber or any other petty drama that TMZ is often known for exposing. The singer revealed Thursday morning via an Instagram post that she hadn't been out promoting her new music because she was healing after a kidney transplant, which was necessitated by her lupus. The kidney donor shown holding hands with Gomez from their hospital beds in the accompanying pic: Francia Raisa, deemed Gomez's "best friend" by TMZ and other outlets. "There aren't words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa," Gomez wrote. "She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me."
BuzzFeed and People note Gomez has been open in the past about her struggle with the chronic autoimmune disease, which can result in the inflammation of different organs, including the kidneys. That openness carried through on Instagram, where the 25-year-old not only posted the pic of herself and Raisa, but also a couple of images showing her post-surgery, including the scar she now sports across her abdomen. Gomez also included a link to the Lupus Research Alliance for those interested in more information about this "misunderstood" disease. "I am incredibly blessed," Gomez wrote on Instagram, adding to Raisa: "I love you so much sis." (More Selena Gomez stories.)
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