A member of the Lost cast is beginning the year by revealing a painful update about her health.
Evangeline Lilly posted on Instagram on Friday that tests show she has sustained brain injury as a result of her traumatic brain injury (TBI).
She explained that brain imaging revealed widespread reductions in function across nearly all regions of her brain. Lilly wrote that it’s a relief to know her declining cognition isn’t solely related to peri‑menopause, yet troubling to face how difficult it will be to repair those deficits. She thanked followers for their concern, ongoing questions and prayers.
In an accompanying video, Lilly recounted the concussion she suffered after fainting at a Hawaiian beach in May and striking her face on a boulder. The scans she shared indicated slowed functioning in almost every part of her brain. She said medical teams will now try to identify the full cause and that her next steps will involve working with doctors to address and hopefully reverse those impairments—a process she expects will be very demanding. Lilly admitted she isn’t excited about another round of strenuous recovery work, noting she already feels like she’s put a lot of hard work into her life.
Despite the difficult diagnosis, Lilly tried to find a silver lining. She said the reduction in her cognitive pace since the injury forced her to slow down, which led to the most restful end of year she can remember. She described this past Christmas as possibly the calmest and most restorative holiday she’s had since becoming a parent about 14 years ago—an outcome she views as a small blessing amid the challenge.
Lilly also expressed gratitude for being alive to continue enjoying the planet another day and another year, calling that thought a source of comfort as she signed off her concussion update and thanked people for caring.
The actress had earlier detailed the May incident on her Substack, saying she fainted at the beach and went “face‑first into a boulder.” At the time she wrote that emergency staff seemed more intent on discovering why she had blacked out than on closing the wound the rock left in her face. Lilly has experienced fainting spells since childhood but said doctors were previously unable to determine a cause. While the new diagnosis is serious, she appears to have found a measure of peace amid the uncertainty.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
