Bret Michaels hospitalized -- again -- with 'warning stroke,' hole in heart
As if bandanna-clad Bret Michaels didn’t have it hard enough. First it was appendicitis. Then a brain hemorrhage. Now he’s suffered a small “warning stroke” and has a hole in his heart, according to a statement posted on his website.
Michaels, who suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage a month ago, was hospitalized again this week after “experiencing numbness on the left side of his body, particularly in his face and hands,” the statement said. He was readmitted to the hospital and diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale, or hole in the heart.
The conditions are treatable and likely unrelated to last month's brain hemorrhage, according to his neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Zabramski.
The news comes just a day after his televised appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," where the long-haired rocker-turned-reality star gave his first interview since his brush with death.
Michaels' website says he was “up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive.”
The former Poison frontman is expected to recover, but his participation Sunday in the finale of "Celebrity Apprentice" is in uncertain, as is his planned May 28 return to the concert scene. It's also likely production on his new VH1 series will be stalled again.
-- Yvonne Villarreal
Photo: Bret Michaels in 2008. Gus Ruelas / Associated Press.
At the Ministry, we worry about celebs who are under the weather. If you worry too, follow us on Twitter for all the headlines (we're @LATcelebs) or tell us to get our rest and drink plenty of liquids on Facebook.
Please kick ass on this setback like you have done with all of the trials that life has been presented to you. YOU ROCK! Give yourself some time to heal this time!
Posted by: Dee | May 20, 2010 at 06:04 PM
I have fallen in love with Bret since celeberty apprentice. My prayers are with him and his family. xxoo love, "now go with me on this"... your newest biggest fan, Hannah
Posted by: Hannah | May 20, 2010 at 06:13 PM
What's a stoke? Poor proof reading, unacceptable.
Posted by: Rob Liano | May 20, 2010 at 06:17 PM
@Rob Liano -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the blog.
Thanks for the catch; the headline typo is fixed.
Hazard of having human beings involved in the process.
//cdz
Posted by: CDZ from the Ministry | May 20, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Wow! Could the Medical profession get any worse publicity? The guys spends weeks in the hospital ,they run every test known to man and they missed a hole in his heart? Unbelievable.Oh! I get it,it was the brain,that they couldn,t figure out why it was bleeding,but they knew it was the brain,so they didn,t think to give him other tests before they released him.Don,t get sick people!
Posted by: erica stephens | May 21, 2010 at 05:22 AM
His immune system is shot not to mention his pre-existing diabetes and was that even controlled or abused? Body toxins everywhere. They will experiment on this poor man until they break him down. As a retired nurse, I can see his challenges.
Posted by: bettye198 | May 21, 2010 at 10:37 AM
I suffered a stroke in 1999. The mind is a mysterious tool, and recovery has been long. I hope his family/friends put forth the effort to understand and the patience to deal with the fact he may never be the same. God Bless you!
Posted by: lucy | May 21, 2010 at 10:59 AM
I hope he recovers soon, seems like a good guy on The Celebrity Apprentice aka NOT HIRING.
Posted by: John | May 21, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Remember, celebrities may be more noticed than us other mere mortals BUT they are human beings too, therefore susceptible to all the usual & not so usual failings of a human body !!! so, successful recovery & take care in all you do
Posted by: jo | May 21, 2010 at 07:24 PM
u need to get better so that u can come to clearfield county fair. i want to see u really bad and i am madly in love with u.
Posted by: kiley neepeer | May 21, 2010 at 07:43 PM