I’m not sure what prompted me to go home Halloween weekend 1993, but I did. I only remember this because River Phoenix died in the wee small hours of that morning. The news hadn’t hit the Midwest when I left the Twin Cities in the early afternoon, but must have hit full force by the time I got back to Eau Claire two hours later.
Since this was pre-widespread Internet use and pre-cellphones news travelled the old-fashioned way by TV and telephone. I learned about River Phoenix’s death when my friend Whitley called to tell me. Or maybe I got my Mom’s call first. I know it wasn’t Jodi Hanson’s call first, but maybe it was Nikki’s. I don’t remember exactly. All I do know is that my friends and family were curious I was handling the death of someone I fell in love with sometime in 1987. A love that I very clearly communicated to anyone who would listen.
Today, I’m getting that deja vu feeling with the news that Bret Michaels is in critical condition with a brain hemorrhage. Once again my friends and family have flooded me with the news of Bret’s condition. Again, I guess I’m not subtle with voicing my affection. Even Sister #2 asked if I was, and I quote, “freaking out.”
I’m not freaking out. I’m concerned. It’s the kind of concern I’d have for any person I never met but who had entertained me for many hours.
What I’m really curious about is how long it takes to recover from something like this. FFJ and I have tickets for his June 4th concert at the Medina Ballroom. Is a brain hemorrhage something that you walk away from and start rocking out on stage a mere six weeks later?
No.
My mom had a brain hemorrhage in 1980 that left her paralyzed on her left side. Almost a year later she was able to walk with the aid of a cane, and about a year after that she ditched the cane for good. She never regained any use of her left arm.
My guess is that, if he lives, he will not be touring.
after my last brain surgery, i haven’t been able to carry anything over 10 lbs. for over 2 months. i am officially released from that may 7th. i don’t want to disappoint you, but i bet he’s not going to be rocking in june.
i’m concerned too. at first i made bad brain jokes, i mean, he did get hit in the head at the tony awards, and maybe it had something to do with his headband being so tight – BUT, they say the hemmorhage was at the stem of the brain, , that’s kinda where i had my surgeries and there is a little less to damage down there. sometimes. depending. i’m hoping he comes out okay.