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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Bret Michaels Back in Hospital After Suffering 'Warning Stroke'













Rocker Bret Michaels is back in the hospital after suffering a "warning stroke" just weeks after his near-fatal episode with a brain hemorrhage. On his Facebook page, Michaels' reps released the info that says he went back to the hospital after "suffering numbness on the left side of his body." Doctors later diagnosed Michaels as having suffered a Transient Ischematic Attack (TIA), otherwise known as a warning stroke.

According to doctors, an Ultrasound Bubble test of Michaels' heart was then done, and they found a hole in his heart described as a Patent Forum Ovale.

Michaels' neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Zabramski said that "there is no doubt that the positive Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is devastating news to Bret and his family. The good news is that it is operable and treatable and we think we may have diagnosed the problem that caused the Transient Ischemic Attach (TIA) or warning stroke."

The new health woes come just days before Bret was to make an appearance at Sunday's live finale of 'Celebrity Apprentice,' where he's in one of the final two competitors vying for the show's title.

Zabramski says that he's well aware Michaels planned on attending the New York City finale and even getting back on the road to play concerts in the near future, but now adds: "Bret's brain and body are not quite 100% yet, especially with the hole found in his heart. Further tests will be conducted throughout the week and I will have more information next week as to how this Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) will be treated. For now, Bret will be treated with outpatient care which includes a daily injection of Lovenox (a blood thinner to reduce the chance of blood clots) and blood tests."

Still, Zabramski says "it is highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered just a few weeks earlier."

On April 23, Michaels made an emergency visit to the hospital after suffering a crippling headache that turned out to be a brain hemorrhage. He was in critical condition, but eventually recovered and was released. This week, Michaels spoke with Oprah Winfrey about the incident, saying: "I've never been shot, thank God, but I can tell you this: It sounded like a small handgun went off in the back of my head. They call it a thunderclap, and I've never instantaneously had a headache like that in my entire life. The word's not even a headache. It's like a migraine times 10," he told Oprah.In the Facebook statement, Michaels' rep says: "Bret wants everyone to know he cannot thank you enough for all of the well wishes, prayers, and good vibes you have sent his way. Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive but he has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again."

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