George Michael is reportedly worsening

[Are_grits_groceries]

George Michael is reportedly worsening after being admitted on Monday to an Austrian hospital for the treatment of pneumonia. His management has announced the cancellation of the remaining dates on his world tour. Via yesterday's Vienna Times:

He is currently in intensive care on the 13th floor of the red tower as a result of heart problems believed to be caused by the shortage of oxygen caused by his pneumonia. On Thursday afternoon he was fitted into a special full-body bed designed to keep all the pressure off his lungs and to help them to function - so far without any sign of improvement.

Head doctor from the nearby Otto Wagner Hospital, Norbert Vetter, said that the reason a person with a lung problem was being treated in the cardiac unit probably lay in the fact that if there was a lung problem - and not enough oxygen being taken into the body - then that could affect the heart especially if the heart had already been damaged in some way. He added in the worst case the heart could cease to function.

Business Week quotes one of the singer's doctors as saying he has "severe community acquired pneumonia." Michael's spokesman confirmed his condition as "bad." Some tabloids are already rushing out with AIDS rumors and commenters on anti-gay sites like Free Republic are saying exactly the sort of things you'd expect from loving Christians.

UPDATE: Pink News reports that Michael's team is denying the Vienna Times report about his heart.
The star’s spokeswoman said in a statement: “George Michael is ill with pneumonia and any other speculation regarding his illness is unfounded and untrue. “He is receiving excellent medical care, he is responding to treatment and slowly improving”. A source told the Daily Mail: “George has woken up and he’s in good spirits. Doctors are very pleased with him, and he’s making progress.” “He’s been in terrible pain. He’s had a dreadful chest infection, but he’s been in good care. He’s in very capable hands”.

http://bit.ly/vFinwe

Hope he gets better!!

[MADem]

1. The Sports Machine guy with the big teeth and wonky hair?

He was out of DC when I watched him, and he was a fixture on AFN overseas all over the world.

He's been around a long time.

[quinnox]

2. He died some time ago

This is the famous pop singer they are talking about.

[MADem]

5. OH--the guy who kept getting arrested?

Funny, I always used to get them confused when I'd just hear the name, but since the singing guy kind of faded from the scene, the big teeth guy is who comes to the forefront of my mind!

Well, hope the singer gets better. Sorry to hear about the big teeth guy--didn't realize he'd moved on.

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. I don't think Brenner was a big-toothed guy.

He could be a complete fool, but his sportscasts were fun. He was always trying to make Maureen Bunyan and Gordon Peterson laugh during the news. I don't remember arrests.

[MADem]

9. No--George Michael--he's the big toothed guy I was talking about.

This guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael_(sportscaster)

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. People swore by him.

He gave me agita. I loved Glen Brenner, and it broke my heart when he passed.

[MADem]

6. Back in the days before satellite TV and programming choice all round the world,

the only tv military personnel could get that wasn't totally local was AFN, and he had a contract to do a show called the Sports Machine. It was a fixture from Japan to Spain and points beyond, for years and years and years. If you wanted to hear the spoken word in English, accompanied by a picture, that was often your only choice, for many years!

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. I used to watch The Sports Machine, actually.

Did not especially appreciate his loud voice, did like the sports round up and the funny clips.

[Missy Vixen]

3. I had pneumonia a couple of months ago

I can't remember the last time I was so sick, and it's a long recovery as well.

I hope George Michael is feeling much better soon.

[HappyMe]

8. That sucks.

I hope he pulls through.

[Howler]

10. Oh NO!!!!

George Michael is one of the Good Guys!!!!! :(
I hope he can pull out of this.

[southernyankeebelle]

11. Hang in there George.

[Howler]

13. (((HUG)))

:hug:

[BuelahWitch]

14. Agree, he IS one of the good guys!

And talented too. I've been a fan since Wham! BTW, all recent accounts have him doing much better!

http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/George-Michael-recovering-from-pneumonia-and-getting-better-and-better/8449037