Kim Kardashian Hid Her Esophagitis Diagnosis, Here's the Emotional Reason Behind It

Kim Kardashian revealed that she did not immediately share her recent esophagitis diagnosis with the public. The 46-year-old kept her health condition to herself because the shadow of her father Robert Kardashian Sr.'s death in 2003 still lingers. Robert died just two months after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and for Kim, the disease affecting the digestive tract is too close to an old wound.

In a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kim said she had felt her body was not in good shape. After undergoing examinations with several doctors, she was diagnosed with esophagitis—inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. "This has been weighing on my mind a lot lately," she said, as quoted from the show. She added that she had told only a few people because the issue is very personal, especially since her father died of esophageal cancer.

Kim's decision to stay silent was not without reason. The experience of losing her father so quickly made her reluctant to discuss a disease related to the esophagus. She even hoped her condition could be managed with medication so she would recover soon. However, a preview of the next episode showed that Kim may need surgery—a prospect that certainly adds psychological strain.

On the other hand, Kim also opened up about memories of her last conversation with her father. In the biography Citizen Kim by Jonathan Van Meter, she recalled Robert's message predicting her future. "Dad said, 'I know you're going to be fine—I can see it. It's like I can see your whole life ahead of you,'" Kim said. Robert, known as a lawyer in the O.J. Simpson case, was already bedridden and weak and could only be conscious at times.

Kim recounted her final moments with her father at home. She lay beside Robert on an L-shaped sofa while watching a film. Amid his declining condition, Robert asked Kim to look after her siblings. "You're going to be fine. But take care of the others. Make sure your sister is okay," Kim said, repeating her father's message. Robert was the father of Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, and Rob from his marriage to Kris Jenner.

When Robert's condition worsened and he could no longer communicate, Kim gave her final thanks. She expressed gratitude for all the life lessons her father had given her, including how to be a good person and how she would one day raise her children. A priest then suggested the family say goodbye and leave the house, because Robert was said to be holding on only because of the presence of his daughters. The family followed the advice, and Robert passed away shortly afterward.

Kim's story highlights how the experience of losing a loved one can shape the way a person responds to their own illness. In Indonesia, awareness of esophageal cancer remains low even though the disease is aggressive. Globocan 2020 data recorded about 4,000 new cases of esophageal cancer per year in the country, with a high death rate because most patients arrive late. Education about early symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or chest pain needs to be intensified, especially for those with risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

For Kim, the decision to finally disclose this diagnosis in front of a reality show camera may be a first step toward seeking public support. However, the remaining question is: will she undergo the planned surgery, and how will it turn out? The public is certainly waiting for the continuation of Kim Kardashian's health story, while hoping her family's painful experience does not repeat.