MSNBC: Olbermann's home from the hospital

[DeepModem Mom]

E!News: MSNBC's Olbermann Home from the ER
by Natalie Finn
Mon, 17 Sep 2007

MSNBC is without one of its top anchors, who subsequently is without his appendix.

Sportscaster turned leftwing newsman Keith Olbermann is back home in New York after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Friday, the network confirmed Monday.

An MSNBC spokeswoman said that Olbermann's appendix actually ruptured Wednesday but, chalking it up to tummy troubles, the newsman pushed on through and delivered the Thursday-night analysis of President Bush's latest Iraq war speech. According to Television Week, which first reported on Olbermann's illness, the 48-year-old didn't decide until Friday afternoon that he needed to be checked out by a doctor.

The former SportsCenter host was hospitalized until today, causing him to miss NBC's Football Night in America Sunday and prompting several "get well soon" wishes on msnbc.com. "Thanks to all wishing Keith well in his recovery," the crew of Countdown with Keith Olbermann wrote on the newscast's blog, The News Hole.

While Olbermann would do well to make sure that he's fully recovered the next time he covers the ins and outs of a presidential address, the man who was named Sexiest Male Newscaster by Playgirl in 2004 is hoping to be back to work later this week....

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=4bfb5bff-2842-4299-a061-c6232a15924e&sid=fd-news

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. Playing Hurt

He risked his health by spending an evening commenting about an IDIOT. Keith is da MAN!

[Captain Hilts]

2. Keith plays hurt! nt

[Horse with no Name]

3. His appendix ruptured and he is already home?

That is odd.
Generally they get about 5-7 days of IV antibiotics.

[Fridays Child]

6. And he went about his business for two days AFTER it ruptured?

He must have a cast iron gut.

[Horse with no Name]

15. Actually once it ruptures the pain stops

temporarily. Then the infection starts in when the contents of the bowel contaminate the peritoneum.
The longest I have seen an appendix rupture before treatment is 2 weeks. It was in an 8-year old. She died of septic shock within 2 hours of the surgery.
The average is 2-3 days, but once they have ruptured there is generally a 7-8 day course of triple antibiotics (Gentamycin-Flagyl-Ampicillin or Zosyn)...but generally if it is not treated like that, abscesses can form causing longer stays in the hospital.

[TahitiNut]

14. Not only IV antibiotics but a drainage tube in the abdominal wall, too.

When this happened to me in 1974, I had to stay in the hospital for 10 days while they treated the peritonitis and then the pneumonia. (I remember the gas pains ... and who was friend enough to hold the pillow.) The drainage tube was (Yechh) - inserted at one end of the sutured incision. I can't recall how long I had that, though.

[Purveyor]

4. Wow. Who knew? Get well soon Keith!!! eom

[medeak]

5. peritonitis?

gawd...hope he is ok and being infused with major antibiotics.

[Ilsa]

7. Will he have an antibiotic IV for the next two weeks?

I am amazed that he isn't septic or something with a ruptured appendix!

[aquart]

9. Now I'm terrified. Why is he out so soon?

[Ilsa]

12. I doubt he would defy doctors'orders and leave against medical advice.

Don't be scared. I bet he must have not had much contamination of his gut, and I bet he is on some oral antibiotics.

[Fridays Child]

13. Maybe all of the hospital TVs were tuned to Fox...

...which would be far more dangerous to his health than toughing it out at home.

[lonestarnot]

8. Damn. Keith must hate the doctor. LOL Hope you're feeling better Keef!

:loveya:

[TheUniverse]

10. Get Well soon. This country needs you!

[TahitiNut]

11. It happened to me, too. Let me tell you, toughing it out for 2 days is something else.

The pain is awful and the toxicity is no laughing matter. The complications of a ruptured appendix can be serious. For me, a variety of infections (primarily peritonitis) had to be treated, including a bout of pneumonia.

[Wiley50]

16. I Predict That His Next Book Will Have No Appendix Either n/t

[Kool Kitty]

18. Very good!

:spray: :rofl:

[Tinksrival]

17. I had my appendix out two months ago

Horrible pain. I started with a stomach ache about 2 AM. By 5 AM I knew it was not just a stomach ache. I got to the ER at 6 AM and ended up in surgery just before noon. It had not ruptured and was removed laparoscopicly. It was only a one night hospital stay and two weeks off of work.
Recovery was a real bitch for the first week. Truly felt like I was being stabbed in the gut if I sat or tried to sit. I could only lay or stand for five days. Vicodin was my best friend.

[DeepModem Mom]

19. a.m. kick

[DeepModem Mom]

20. Another fyi a.m. kick -- want everyone to know KO is out of the hosp...

and presumably better!