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Lou Reed recovering after liver transplant

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 12:43:00 +0000

LONDON (AP) -- Rock icon Lou Reed is recovering after a life-saving liver transplant in the U.S., according to an interview with his wife published Saturday in a British newspaper.

Laurie Anderson told the Times of London that Reed "was dying" before the operation several weeks ago at Ohio's Cleveland Clinic.

She said 71-year-old Reed is not back to full strength, but "he's already working and doing t'ai chi.

"I don't think he'll every totally recover from this, but he'll certainly be back to doing (things) in a few months," she said.

"I'm very happy. It's a new life for him."

Anderson, a musician and performance artist, praised the Cleveland facility - one of the leading transplant centers in the U.S. - and said hospitals in the couple's hometown of New York were "dysfunctional."

Reed, who has spoken of his past alcohol and drug use, co-founded influential 1960s group The Velvet Underground, whose songs included the addiction-themed "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting for the Man."

Solo works include "Walk on the Wild Side" and "Perfect Day."

Reed had earlier canceled a series of dates planned for April. His management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lil Wayne still in hospital after suffering multiple seizures

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:20:00 +0000

Despite sending out a reassuring tweet on Friday and hearing reports on Sunday that said Lil Wayne is "good, just resting," the rapper is now entering into his sixth day in the I.C.U of Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, reports TMZ.

TMZ first broke the news that Weezy had been admitted to the I.C.U. after suffering multiple seizures Tuesday night, and was released on Wednesday. "Sources say there's evidence Wayne went on a Sizzurp binge after being released Wednesday, because doctors found high amounts of codeine in his system," reported TMZ. "We're told Wanye's stomach was pumped 3 times to flush the drugs from his system." MTV has noted, however, that Lil Wayne has had seizures before, writing, "The situation is similar to the reported seizure like-symptoms Weezy suffered while aboard his private jet in October. After a pair of hospital visits, the 'No Worries' MC appeared to be well, and in November, he admitted to MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway that he was on medication to treat his condition during an interview in which he was sweating profusely."

But this time, TMZ has reported that his condition over the weekend was so critical that his mother came to the hospital and made decisions "including the decision to discontinue life support." Rappers Nicki Minaj, Drake, Birdman, Chris Paul and perhaps Eminem have also visited the rapper at the hospital.

Ed Asner released from hospital, shows canceled

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:52:00 +0000

Ed Asner, the 83-year-old actor best known for his roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its spinoff "Lou Grant," has been released from a Chicago hospital, reports the Associated Press. Asner was originally hospitalized due to exhaustion on Tuesday night, when he was taken off the stage during a performance in Gary, Ind.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Asner's local performance of his one-man show, "FDR," has been canceled tonight, and the AP reports that additional performances in the national tour may be postponed as Asner recovers.

He is currently headed home to Los Angeles, says publicist Charles Sherman.

Barbara Walters is out of the hospital

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- ABC says Barbara Walters is out of the hospital and recovering from chicken pox at home.

ABC said Tuesday that the 83-year-old host on "The View" is resting comfortably and "getting stronger." There was no indication of when she might return to work.

Walters was hospitalized after falling and cutting her head at a pre-inaugural party in Washington on Jan. 19. The news veteran later was diagnosed with chicken pox, which typically hits people when they are children.

The disease can be serious in older people because of the possibility of complications like pneumonia.

Barbara Walters hospitalized with chickenpox

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:04:00 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -- Barbara Walters would probably like to hit the reset button on 2013.

She's got the chickenpox and remains hospitalized more than a week after going in after falling and hitting her head at a pre-inaugural party in Washington on Jan. 19. A fellow host on the "The View," Whoopi Goldberg, said Monday that Walters has been transferred to a New York hospital and hopes to go home soon.

"She's been told to rest. She's not allowed any visitors," Goldberg said. "And we're telling you, Barbara, no scratching!"

The 83-year-old news veteran, who underwent heart surgery in May 2010, apparently avoided a disease that hits most people when they are children. It can be serious in older people because of the possibility of complications like pneumonia.

Even after concern about her fall had subsided, Walters had been kept hospitalized last week because of a lingering fever, and doctors found the unexpected cause.

"We love you, we miss you," Goldberg said on "The View," in a message to the show's inventor. "We just don't want to hug you."

Barbara Walters hospitalized after fall

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:47:00 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -- Veteran ABC newswoman Barbara Walters has fallen at an inauguration party in Washington and has been hospitalized.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider says the 83-year-old Walters fell Saturday night on a step at the residence of Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott. The fall left Walters with a cut on her forehead.

Schneider said Sunday "out of an abundance of caution" Walters went to a hospital for treatment of the cut and for a full examination. He says Walters is alert "and telling everyone what to do," which is "a very positive sign."

It's unclear when Walters might be released from the hospital, which ABC hasn't identified.

Walters was TV news' first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1 million annual salary.

Gunman killed in Alabama hospital shooting

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:15:00 +0000

There was another public shooting this morning, this time at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. According to WAFF:

The incident happened around 4am. Police Sergeant Johnny Williams tells FOX6 News that a man with a gun, shot two employees as well as a police officer. A second officer shot and killed the unidentified gunman.

Sgt. Williams says that the injuries to the officer and the employees are not life-threatening. The victims were taken to UAB Hospital. Police have not released their names.

One hospital worker says a "Code Silver" was called across the intercom. He says "Code Silver" means there is harm or threat with a weapon. He says employees are instructed to call 911.

h/t @GOPunplugged

Boxer “Macho” Camacho in critical condition in Puerto Rico

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:34:00 +0000

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Hector "Macho" Camacho was in worsening condition Wednesday after being shot in the face while in a car, with doctors and his family expected to decide whether to remove the former boxing champion from life support.

Doctors had said Camacho was in critical, but stable condition and expected to survive after he was shot Tuesday night in his hometown of Bayamon. But his condition worsened overnight and his heart stopped at one point, said Dr. Ernesto Torres, director of the Centro Medico trauma center in San Juan.

"He's battling minute to minute. This is the most important fight of his life," Torres told The Associated Press outside the hospital in the Puerto Rican capital.

Torres said that two specialists will examine the boxer to determine his level of brain activity.

The specialists will then consult with other doctors and Camacho's mother, who was expected to arrive from New York, to discuss whether he should be removed from life support, said Ismael Leandry, a longtime friend and former manager who was also at the hospital.

"We just have to wait to see if `Macho' gets better. It's a hard battle," Leandry told AP.