Cynthia Bailey Reflects on Gregg Leakes' Cancer Battle: "It Was a Wake-Up Call for All of Us"

Nene Leakes and her family have been going through an incredibly difficult time this season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta as her husband, Gregg Leakes, battles colon cancer. And since everyone in the RHOA crew knows and loves Gregg, all of the Atlanta Housewives have of course been hit hard by the news. 

One of Nene's oldest friends among the RHOA squad, Cynthia Bailey, opened up to The Daily Dish during an interview in December about how Gregg's health issues have changed everything for the group. "When Gregg got diagnosed with cancer, it really affected everyone that was close to [him and Nene]. It just kind of came out of nowhere, like one day everything was fine and then it was like, oh, Gregg has cancer and he’s been in the hospital for 19 days," she shared. "You know, from that point on, Nene’s life changed."

Cynthia has shown Nene support by calling her on the phone often to check up on her and Gregg. But Cynthia also knows that Nene is a strong, independent woman who doesn't want to be coddled during a time like this. "I knew she just had to go through her little process, and me knowing her, I was just ready, just available for whenever she needed me to be there for her, because she’s not the kind of girl that wants to be saved," Cynthia explained. "I think there’s a way to be there without being too over-invasive in their space because it is an adjustment and they are taking it day by day... But I’m there, and I do respect their space and I respect their time, because it’s a life change. I mean, I can’t imagine going through what they’re going through. So I’m just here for them as a friend." 

Cynthia has shown her support for Nene and Gregg by making sure to visit the couple to lift their spirits, as well as share messages of love on social media. "Always good to see @greggleakes!" Cynthia wrote on Instagram in November. "You are always in my thoughts [and] prayers."

Gregg's strength in the face of adversity has been an inspiration to the entire RHOA family. His cancer battle has also been enlightening for Cynthia in another way. "Oh yeah, it was a wake-up call for all of us. I’m 51 now, I’ve never had a colonoscopy. I’m gonna get one at the top of the year. You know, I was talking to Gregg about it and he was like, ‘You have to do it, you have to do it,'" she shared. "So [my boyfriend Mike Hill] is 48, and he’s never had one, either. So we may do a couple’s colonoscopy thing together and make sure we’re good, because it’s important." 

Cynthia and Kandi Burruss opened up more about Gregg's cancer diagnosis, as well as their reaction to finding out his decision to not undergo chemotherapy, in The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 11 After Show, which you can view, above. 

Learn more about how Gregg's health battle has impacted the RHOA couple's life, below.

NeNe Leakes Reveals How Gregg Leakes' Cancer Has Changed Their Lives