Kevin Smith Says His Mom Is Hospitalized, Recovering from 'Life-Saving Surgery': 'She Fights for Life Every Time'

“I love my Mom as much as the next guy but I also revere her for being the strongest person I know,” the filmmaker said

Kevin Smith revealed that his mother Grace has been hospitalized and is recovering from a “life-saving surgery.”

On September 4, the filmmaker posted a photo on Instagram with his mom as she gave a thumbs-up from her hospital bed. The 54-year-old shared the health update while praising her for getting through the medical emergency at her age.

“On Monday I visited Mom, who’s recovering from a life-saving surgery,” he wrote. “Mom’s been in and out of hospitals all year now and as hard as it’s been to see it, it’s been far more difficult for Mom to live it. She’ll be 79 in December so recovering from surgery takes almost as much of a toll as the malady they’re mending.”

“I love my Mom as much as the next guy but I also revere her for being the strongest person I know,” he continued. “If I was faced with what Mom goes through, I’d likely call it a day. But not Amazing Grace. She fights for life every time. It’s pretty f—ing inspiring. And while, admittedly, Mom would prefer I not swear to express this sentiment, sometimes you just gotta drop the F bomb to underline how much you love your heroes.”

Smith ended the heartfelt post by thanking all of the doctors and healthcare workers who took care of his mother during her hospital stay.

Related: Kevin Smith Is Granting His Mom's Big Wish and Taking Her to Paris After Hospital Stay

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer??, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

The Clerks III auteur is often posting photos on social media showing off his close relationship with his mother, in both good and bad moments.

Back in 2016, Smith also opened up to fans about her health problems, sharing on Facebook that he “nearly lost her.”

He explained that his mom, 70 at the time, had been battling a “hiatal hernia for almost a year or more.” Doctors were hesitant to operate due to her age, but when complications came to a head, she was told she would die without the procedure. “Doc said if she had come to the hospital an hour later, we would’ve lost her,” he wrote at the time.

“She's lucky to be alive - which is one of the many reasons we call her Amazing Grace (also because she pushed my fat ass out of her body 45 years ago). I love you, Mom! Thanks for sticking around for me, Don and Virginia - as we grown adult children are not ready to face the world alone without you!” he continued. “My advice: If your Mom's still around, go hug the shit out of her or give her a call right now. It'll make your Mom's day to hear from her Missing Piece.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.