In an emotional Instagram post, Melissa Gilbert shared her spinal surgery experience, offering glimpses of her vulnerability, resilience, and gratitude throughout the process. Best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie,” Gilbert has never shied away from discussing her health challenges, and her latest update was no exception.

The post featured a series of photographs, starting with a heartfelt moment before the surgery. Gilbert was pictured smiling as her niece tenderly applied makeup to her face. She was dressed in a flowing dress with floral designs, white gloves, and a bright pink scarf wrapped around her neck, adding a playful touch with a silver headband pushing back her hair.

Another photo showed Gilbert in a hospital bed, wearing a gown and a cap, yet her spirits seemed lifted as she gave a bright smile and thumbs up, surrounded by her smiling medical team. A third image depicted her in the bed, poised for the operating room, showcasing a supportive bouquet of white roses from her spouse, with a loving note saying, “I Love You My Wife!”

Post-surgery, Gilbert was pictured standing in her room, hands raised victoriously, a bandage visible on her neck but her positive attitude undiminished. Subsequent images captured emotional reunions with her best friend at the Disc Surgery Center, including her godson, culminating in a stark post-surgery X-ray image.

Gilbert’s followers immediately flooded the post with supportive comments, expressing prayers and well-wishes for a quick recovery. Phrases like “Prayers for a speedy recovery!” and “Sending healing prayers” peppered the comments section, reflecting the community’s support.

Gilbert’s spinal health saga is extensive, beginning with an initial spinal fusion in the early 2000s due to an injury. This was followed by a second surgery after a 2010 back injury and a third fusion in 2016 to address two herniated discs from a 2012 accident and a subsequent concussion during “Dancing with the Stars.”

Gilbert has been candid about her “long history” of neck and spine problems, which have led to numbness and shooting pains, necessitating continuous medical attention. After a failed third surgery, she underwent another operation in 2020 with Dr. Robert Bray, who performed her first spinal surgery, to remove old hardware, address bone spurs, and insert a new artificial disc.

Following this surgery, Gilbert described it as “wildly successful,” with significant pain relief. Her recovery seemed promising until recent neck pain indicated the need for another surgery to replace a deteriorated artificial disc.

Through her health challenges, Gilbert has often expressed gratitude for her husband, Timothy Busfield’s, unwavering support, highlighting their shared journey of overcoming personal hardships and finding strength in each other’s company.