Following an extended medical leave, Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) will return to General Hospital set later this month. The actress had hinted on Twitter last month that her return could be imminent.
"We are thrilled that Kirsten will be back to work in just a few short weeks," a General Hospital spokesperson announced. "And we thank Jen Lilley for the wonderful job she did in Kirsten's absence."
Storms vacated her role on General Hospital in September due to a then-unknown medical condition. However, on the reality series, Dirty Soap, Storms's future sister-in-law revealed that the actress was diagnosed with endometriosis. Storms was only expected to be out of work for two months.
Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women to varying degrees. The condition is not life-threatening, but, in some instances, it can cause extreme discomfort and even require surgery. For other woman, the symptoms may so minor or general that they might not even be aware that they have endometriosis.
"If you can imagine the inside lining of a woman's uterus, which sheds each month during the menstrual period -- if you can imagine that material being in the wrong spot and going inside the abdomen, on the different organs inside the belly," Dr. Dave E. David explained on Soap Central Live. "In fact, one of the ways they think that endometriosis develops is what we call retrograde menstruation. So when a woman menstruates, instead of it coming out her cervix and to the exterior of the body, it shoots back up through the fallopian tubes and out onto the ovaries and different organs."
In Storms' absence, actress Jen Lilley took over as Maxie. She first aired on September 28, 2011, and will continue to air into February.
"Thanks for all the thanks," Lilley posted on Twitter after the news of Storms' return was announced. "The GH fans truly touch my heart! I'm gonna miss you too! I'm savoring my last few days in Port Charles. Soap fans are the most loyal and awesome fans ever!"
Storms will return to the airwaves in late February.
