Keith in Hospital

[Imagescapegirl]

This has been posted today, along with a notice of the cancellation of the Japanese tour ....

Dear Friends in Japan,

During a routine medical examination, a colonoscopy revealed a rather dangerous polyp in my lower colon. It is of the conclusion of the doctors here in London that I must undergo surgery immediately. Unfortunately, the timing of this urgent surgery does not allow me to start touring in early October because of the required period of hospitalization and recuperation.

I must remain optimistic that all will turn out well. Sadly, “Emerson & Lake” must postpone our tour in Japan for now. I regret this deeply and extend my sincere apologies to those who already had tickets. Greg and I have worked hard and were looking very much forward to playing to you, and to revisit your beautiful country and people. We were even planning a drummer contest to have Japanese drummers perform with us on the stage on a song or two! My priority now is to recover fully and speedily so that we can deliver fantastic shows when we return there.

We hope to see all of you then.

Love and Respect,
Keith Emerson. 

Keith - Hope all goes well and your recovery is a speedy one.

[markone]

I'll add my good wishes for a speedy recovery

[donl]

Good luck and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery keith.

[keybdwiz]

We are all wishing you a very speedy and complete recovery, Keith ;D

Sending out prayers for you... get well soon

[keybdwiz]

Sorry that Keith and Greg are gonna have to cancel the Japan tour. I'm certain that there a lotta people who were looking forward to hearing and seeing them.

Hopefully, Keith's recovery will be speedy... and he and Greg will be back out there soon, thrilling audiences with their wonderful music.

[Imagescapegirl]

Just spotted a post on fb saying that Keith's surgery has been done and his recovery is going well.

[keybdwiz]

So glad to hear that Keith is doing well.

Been scouring the Internet looking for updates, and haven't found anything.

Thank you for the information, Sue.

[tjjohn1001]

Hey Keith, a speedy recovery. I saw you way back when in Wheeling West Virginia and Morgantown West Virginia in '79 or so. I remember the roadies setting up your gear and me sneaking onto the stage to see your setup, and it was so awesome! I doubt you'll ever see this message, but you've got tons of fans wishing hard for you. I wonder now what you think of all the digital synths and stuff...you were the master of the GX-1 and Mini-moogs and all the rest. A modern day Mozart.

Take care,

Tim

[keybdwiz]

Anybody have any updates, on Keith's recovery ?

Thanks,

Gary

[Imagescapegirl]

Keith put this out on facebook late last night. He has had a really rough time of it, but thankfully is now on the mend.

Love and prayers Keith.

A MESSAGE FROM KEITH EMERSON
by KEITH EMERSON on Tuesday, 05 October 2010 at 23:25
I would like to thank all those well-wishers that wrote to me during my recent hospitalisation. I would also like to thank the doctors, surgeons and nurses of The London Clinic as well as those individuals who donate blood.

At this time I would say a prayer for all those less fortunate than myself in sickness.

To recap, this all started during a routine medical that incorporated an endoscopy, MRI, blood tests all of which turned out OK. Finally my doctor looked up my past medical records. “ I see it’s been over five years since your last colonoscopy. To be safe it is time for another.”

That test caused concern with the reveal of a dangerous polyp situated in my large colon. It was decided that I should have it removed for analysis immediately. This involved laparoscopic surgery and a two-inch incision in my stomach to remove about two inches of the colon it was attached to.

However, surgery showed up more than anyone had bargained for. A large section of my lower colon was afflicted with a diverticular disease with significant number of diverticula and it all had to come out - nearly a foot and a half of it!

When I came round from the anesthetic I discovered that I had been cut from the lower end of my rib cage to the pubic region, and what they had taken out was now in the laboratory for analysis. It would be a week before I knew the results. Meanwhile, as I lay hoping I might be recovering, I was bleeding heavily, internally. The initial response was to wait and see if the two parts of the healthy colon had bonded successfully and the bleeding would stop. It didn’t. Two blood transfusions later at 11PM, I was told I had no option other than to be immediately rushed back to the operating theater. I really thought that was it. I had no time to tell friends or family. The rest is a bit of a blur except I do remember a surgeon saying to me sometime the next day that he had successfully clipped the two parts of the colon together and halted the spurting blood vessel. Of course I remained doubtful and almost in a panic if I felt I was about to sneeze, as I still am. A few days later the results from the lab had come in. Thankfully, the polyp was not malignant. This experience made me realise the importance of having a colon screening, and of donating blood. After two weeks in the hospital, I am now recuperating in Sussex having been told by doctors and surgeons that it will be some time before I fully get my strength back.

I am most thankful to Mari for her love and attention, my family and to Greg Lake for his compassion and support.

Stay well.

Keith Emerson

5 October 2010
__________________

[donl]

rest and regain your strength and health keith, thank god you will be okay

[keybdwiz]

Sending out tons and tons of prayers for you, Keith.....

We are all wishing you a tremendously speedy recovery.

Please rest and heal.

[Imagescapegirl]

Went to see Yoso last night at The Jazz Cafe in London. Keith was there. Didn't get a chance to speak to him, and he's clearly not back to full fitness yet. But he is on the mend, and it was good to see him.

[keybdwiz]

Great news.... I am glad he is on the mend.... I have been very concerned about him, since his surgery. It's good to hear that he is doing well.