We’ve got so much time for Lena Dunham

lena dunham, we applaud your candour, resilience and unflagging optimism. Last week, the Girls writer told her Instagram followers of her health complications after her hysterectomy in February. ‘ Yesterday I had a two-hour surgery to remove my left ovary, which was attached to my bowel and pressing on nerves that made it kind of hard to walk/pee/vamp,’ she wrote alongside a picture that showed her scars and swollen stomach. Yet, in spite of the pain and criticism – one follower suggested she ‘see a therapist because it’s clearly psychological’ (she pointed out she’s already had 25 years of therapy) – Lena felt empowered and endowed with a sense of perspective. ‘My health not being a given has paid spiritual dividends… a big lesson I’ve learned in all of this is that health, like most stuff, isn’t linear – things improve and things falter.’

The 32-year-old, who has long been a mouthpiece for body positivity, said she felt ‘tickled’ by her ‘new and improved belly button’. But, in a rallying call to arms, she described how her lengthy health struggles, which have also included the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, have propelled her on a mission ‘to advocate for those of us who live in the cross section of physical pain… our pain is our gain and oh shit scars and mesh “panties” are the fucking jam. Join me, won’t you?’ Lena, as in everything you do, we’re with you all the way.