Model Angie Everhart Diagnosed With Thyroid Cancer; Surgery Today And Then "Back To Mommy Duties"[VIDEOS]

Angie Everhart, 43, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and will be undergoing surgery for the illness this morning. The swimsuit model/actress has a good prognosis and is expected to make a full recovery and get back to raising her son.

Everhart tweeted on May 10, "I'm reflecting on my life these days ... I have been sooo lucky, super happy, but nothing beats being a MOM!! I love you Kayden!!

"Word has been trickling out about Angie's health," her rep told Extra. "Angie wants to set the record straight by letting everyone know that it is true that she has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, however, the prognosis is very good."

The rep adds, "Angie will undergo surgery tomorrow and expects to be back to work and to mommy duties in a few weeks."

Single-parent Everhart gave birth to her first child, son Kayden Bobby Everhart, on July 24, 2009.  She was at one time engaged to Joe Pesci, but the pair split in 2008.

Angie Everhart's rep says the model hopes releasing the information about her health will "encourage people to learn about cancer prevention, its signs and treatment immediately."

Her friend and fellow model Brooke Burke was diagnosed with the same Thyroid cancer last year.  Burke happily made a full recovery, and Everhart should be following her lead this morning, starting with the surgery.

Angie appeared in several issues of the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, starting in 1995. Everhart posed nude for a cover-featured pictorial in the February 2000 issue of Playboy. She was ranked #98 on the FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2003.

She has also appeared on reality television. In 2004, she appeared in Celebrity Mole: Yucatan, in which she was the 'mole', the rogue agent sabotaging the group. She was one of the "Gingers" on the second season of The Real Gilligan's Island, but left the show when she accidentally cut her finger severely enough to sever tendons and require surgery. Angie was also a panelist on To Tell The Truth from 2000 to 2001. Everhart was a co-host on the ABC reality show The Ex-Wives Club, along with Marla Maples, and Shar Jackson in 2007.

Once a sky-diving enthusiast, Everhart gave up the activity following an accident in which she was injured badly enough to require back surgery.

We wish Angie for a speedy recovery after surgery today.