Billy Porter is sharing an update on his health after he was diagnosed with “a serious case” of sepsis.
On Monday, Dec. 22, the Tony winner, 56, opened up about his last few months, sharing that he had been “very ill” and was hospitalized.
“I’m here, first and foremost, to say happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, and everything in between,” he began the video, sitting down in a living room as he wore glasses and a sweater.
“Some of you may or may not know that I was in the hospital very ill this fall with urosepsis,” shared the actor, who is set to star in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping next year. “It was not easy. It’s been a very, very challenging four months. And I want everybody to know that I am on the road to a full recovery. I’m not there yet but I’m on the road to that.
“And I wanted to thank everybody for yours prayers and your love and sending me all the vibes,” he continued in part, getting emotional. “I felt every single one of them.”
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Urosepsis is a serious type of sepsis that begins in the urinary tract: a person’s kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, according to the Cleveland Clinc. The infection occurs when a urinary tract infection (UTI) goes untreated and spreads to the kidneys.
Urosepsis can result in a medical emergency, and is often treated using antibiotics, IV fluid and other medications.
But Porter is feeling better amid his recovery.
“She’s ALIVE!!!” Porter captioned the post, which also served as a promotion for his latest film, Amazon Prime’s Christmas Karma. “Proof of life, PTL!!! Thank you all all thought, prayers and healing energy!”
Porter originally shared that he had been diagnosed with “a serious case” of sepsis while he was starring as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Although he was scheduled to remain in the role through Oct. 19, Porter was forced to withdraw from the production in September, ending its Broadway run.
Producers announced the news on Sunday, Sept. 7, calling it a “painful decision” made with “a heavy heart.”
“[Porter’s] doctors are confident that he will make a full recovery but have advised him to maintain a restful schedule these next couple of weeks,” the release read.
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“Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, bringing his signature passion and remarkable talent,” wrote producer Adam Speers, for ATG Productions. “We wish Billy a speedy recovery and I look forward to working with him again in the very near future.”
Back in July, Porter opened up to PEOPLE about his role in Cabaret, saying, “I feel really great to be doing this.”
“This show in particular, at this time in American history, it’s really important for me,” said Porter, while promoting his new brand, Black Mona Lisa Beauty. “Art has the power to heal, art has the power to transform. My art is my calling, my purpose, my ministry, my resistance, my activism, my hope, my joy, my love. It’s everything to me. And so to be able to express myself this way is such a gift and such a blessing.”
The Pose alum is now starring in Christmas Karma, a Bollywood-inspired musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol that follows the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future as they “take a modern-day Scrooge on an unforgettable journey of discovery,” per a synopsis.