Bret Michaels was hospitalized this week after suffering a small “warning stroke” known as a Transient Ischemic Attack, or TIA, according to his official website. MRI and CT scans at the hospital also revealed that the 47-year-old singer has a hole in his heart known as a Patent Forum Ovale. Both conditions are considered treatable and are reportedly not related to the brain hemorrhage Michaels has been recovering from since April. Michaels was readmitted to the hospital after experiencing numbness on the left side of his body, especially to his face and hands. Although Michaels had hoped to return to the May 23 finale of Celebrity Apprentice, the musician’s doctors are not certain that will be possible. “Bret’s brain and body are not quite 100 percent yet,” said Michaels’ neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Zabramski.
Michaels’ rep released this online statement: “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.”
