Matthew Perry, renowned for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom “Friends,” is a multi-talented individual with roles as an actor, comedian, and writer. While celebrated for his on-screen work in movies like “The Whole Nine Yards,” “17 Again,” and “Fools Rush In,” his life has been marked by personal struggles and health challenges. In 2018, he confronted a critical health crisis when a rupture in his colon necessitated life-saving surgery, an event from which he remarkably recovered.
The Colon Rupture
In 2018, Matthew Perry faced a life-threatening situation when he suffered a colon rupture, a condition in which a hole forms in the large intestine. This perilous event can lead to the leakage of bacteria and fecal matter into the abdominal cavity, causing infections, inflammation, and organ failure.
Perry attributed this colon rupture to his prolonged use of OxyContin, a potent opioid painkiller to which he had been addicted for years. He revealed that he had been consuming as many as 80 pills a day without fully comprehending the damage he was inflicting on his body.
He recalled the harrowing moment when a sharp pain in his stomach led to his collapse. He was swiftly rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
The Heart Stoppage
During the surgical procedure, Perry’s heart ceased to beat for five minutes. It was not a heart attack, but rather a complete cessation of cardiac activity, an occurrence attributed to the administration of propofol, an anesthetic drug that can rarely induce cardiac arrest.
Perry reported having no near-death experiences or recollections of the incident. His memory of the event was limited to awakening in the intensive care unit, surrounded by medical equipment and tubes. Doctors informed his family that he had a mere two-percent chance of survival, preparing them for the worst.
The Coma
Following the surgery, Matthew Perry slipped into a coma that lasted for several weeks. During this period, he was mostly unconscious and had no memory of the events that transpired.
Occasionally, he would briefly regain consciousness, but his state was marked by confusion and disorientation. He did not recognize his family or friends and had no understanding of his whereabouts or the circumstances that led to his condition.
Perry also recounted experiencing hallucinations and nightmares during this time, which made him feel as though he was in a nightmarish place.
The Recovery
The aftermath of his surgery required Matthew Perry to endure a five-month hospital stay. His recovery process was a grueling journey that demanded relearning how to walk and talk.
For approximately a year, he had to rely on a colostomy bag, a device used to collect intestinal waste through an opening in the abdomen. This experience was both humiliating and emotionally taxing, making him feel less of a man.
Furthermore, he grappled with the psychological aftermath of his near-death experience, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Memoir
In 2022, four years after his surgery, Matthew Perry authored a memoir titled “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” This book served as a coping mechanism for him and a means of sharing his story with others. Perry’s intent was to inspire individuals facing similar challenges and to caution against the perils of drug addiction.
Moreover, he aimed to offer apologies to his family, friends, fans, and former partners for the pain his actions had caused. Perry expressed deep regret about various aspects of his life and wished he could have made different choices.
Conclusion
Matthew Perry’s battle with a colon rupture resulting from drug abuse was a terrifying and traumatizing episode in his life. This ordeal brought him perilously close to death and was compounded by a heart stoppage and a prolonged coma during surgery. However, Perry’s resilience and determination enabled him to recover from this near-death experience. He subsequently wrote a memoir to share his story and experiences, focusing on his journey towards overcoming drug addiction and prioritizing his health and well-being. His story serves as an inspiration of resilience in the face of life-threatening challenges.
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