Janice Dean hasn’t appeared on Fox & Friends recently, and now she’s explaining her absence from the show.

The meteorologist, who joined the Fox News program in 2004, detailed why she’s been off the air in a social media post Wednesday.

“I wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a break from work (and social media) for a bit,” Dean wrote. “I’m ok, but I’ve had some health issues that require rest and time to heal.”

The TV journalist went on to say that her Fox bosses have been “kind and understanding” in the wake of her illness. “I feel blessed to be able to take a break to be with my family,” she said, adding that a recent pilgrimage to Italy with her husband was a restorative experience. “The trip to Rome with Sean was a good place to start healing spiritually, and now I have to get back to feeling healthy and strong.”

Dean concluded her remarks with a resolution to return to Fox News in the future. “I’ve always been up front and honest about my life, and I felt I owed you an explanation of my absence,” she wrote. “But, I will be back. Grateful to you all for the kind words.”

Dean was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005. She has been vocal about her condition in the past, detailing her experience with the chronic illness in her 2019 book Mostly Sunny: How I Learned to Keep Smiling Through the Rainiest Days.

The meteorologist commemorated the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis on Instagram last month.

“20 years ago I was diagnosed with #multiplesclerosis, and was told to stay quiet about the illness, because ‘No one wants to see a sick person on TV,’” she wrote. “Happy I didn’t listen. To all those who share this disease, I will continue to stand tall, be an advocate and raise awareness.”

Dean also reflected on her MS journey in an interview with PEOPLE last year. “Sometimes think I’m a better person because of the diagnosis, if that makes any sense,” she said. “This made me realize what was important in life, like your health and your family and your support system.”

She added that she’s grateful that her example can help inspire others with chronic illness. “If you see somebody who’s doing something, even though they might be dealing with something else, you feel hopeful, right?” Dean said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘I see you on TV with a big smile on your face, and that makes me feel that I can do it too.’ That’s really powerful. Sometimes it’s just the one glimmer of sunshine peeking through the clouds. It’s like, ‘Okay, yeah. We can do this together.’”