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USENET REC.MUSIC.REM
R.E.M. ILLNESS FAQ ADDENDUM
(Last revised 8/12/95)
[For the most recent version,
email rgh3@cornell.edu for a copy.]
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This document is intended to answer the frequently asked questions
regarding recent illnesses and surgeries undergone by the members of
R.E.M. during the course of their World Tour this last years.
As always, if you have any additional information, please email it
to me (include your sources so I can verify everything),
rgh3@cornell.edu, and I will update this document.
- Don't post reports unless you have solid facts with
a source you can authoritatively cite;
- Be aware that "gallows humor" about medical conditions will
likely not be appreciated and will probably get you flamed
on rec.music.rem;
- Be aware of the time lag between Usenet servers that affect the
order of postings (in other words, some of the folks who ask for
information on the subject may not yet have seen all the postings
that you have... be patient with people);
- For information on tour dates and cancellations see the separate
document "World Tour Mini-FAQ" posted also to rec.music.rem, or
available by email request to rgh3@cornell.edu.
Contents of this Mini-FAQ:
o "Summary of basic information on Michael Stipe's surgery"
o "What is an inguinal hernia?"
o "So is Europe bad luck for R.E.M. or what?"
---
o "Summary of basic information on Bill Berry's aneurysm"
o "What is the text of the Fan Club postcard mailed out in March?"
o "What was Warner Brothers' official, early response to all of
the rumors about Bill's condition?"
o "What is an aneurysm? (two definitions)"
---
o "Summary of basic information on Mike Mills' surgery"
o "What is a laparotomy?"
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o "Summary of basic information on Michael Stipe's surgery"
According to the Tuesday, 8/15 edition of the Athens Daily News, the
R.E.M. Athens home office issued a press release that Michael Stipe
had been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia sometime before the band
had been scheduled to perform a concert in Prague, Czech Republic.
Because the band had twice before cancelled the show in Prague due
to band member illness, they decided to wait until after this show,
which was the last on the current European leg of the tour anyhow,
to return to the United States for Stipe's surgery.
The press release reports that Stipe was admitted to Emory
University Hospital in Atlanta where the surgery was performed
in an hour-long procedure without complications. (Stipe was
released from the hospital on Monday.)
Stipe is expected to be ready to resume the tour in several weeks,
when the band is scheduled to begin the final leg of the tour with
a show in Miami on Sept. 8.
o "What is an inguinal hernia?"
The Athens Daily News article quoted an unnamed Emory University
health professional as explaining that an inguinal hernia is "a
weakness in the connective tissue between the abdominal wall muscle
and the ligaments in the groin (the fold where the abdomen attaches
to the thigh.) The condition allows the intestines to slide
through an opening. 'Inguinal' implies that the condition involves
the groin."
o "So is Europe bad luck for R.E.M. or what?"
One might be tempted to joke so, given Bill Berry's bout with Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever there several years back, coupled with this
years' brain aneurysm, and now Mike Mills' and Michael Stipes surgery.
Bertis Downs [R.E.M.'s lawyer] was quoted by the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution, rebuffed the suggestion. "That's incorrect," he said, "We
get great medical care there. [The glass] is half empty or half full.
It's very unfortunate."
Peter Buck was quoted as joking that he will be looking both ways
before crossing the street now, being the only band member left who
has not suffered health problems on the tour.
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o "Summary of basic information on Bill Berry's aneurysm"
Bill Berry, R.E.M.'s drummer, took ill during a concert at Lausanne,
Switzerland's Patinoire Auditorium on Wednesday, March 1st, with a
headache severe enough that he was forced to leave the stage. Upon
examination in a local hospital, Berry was determined to have at
least one aneurysm (see below for definitions) on the right hand
surface of his brain, which needed surgery to correct. His recovery
has proceeded smoothly and on Tuesday, 3/21, he was released from
the hospital and recuperated at an undisclosed location.
While the first European leg of the tour was cancelled (some
European newsgroup members have said their tickets are being exchanged
for European shows later in the year), MTV reported on 4/16 that the
U.S. portion of the tour would in fact continue as of 5/15, with a few
dates between 5/9 and 5/15 (AZ, Nevada, and S. Calif.) to be
rescheduled for the fall. See the "World Tour" Mini-FAQ for the
lastest information on tour cancellations and rescheduling.
o "What is the text of the Fan Club postcard mailed out in March?"
A Note To Our Friends
As Bill continues his recovery, all of us are counting our blessings
that he is okay and his health will be fully restored. How soon we do not
know, and when the tour will resume is still very much up in the air. But
first things first, which is for Bill to get well, and that is happening
day by day.
Three weeks to the day after his surgery, Bill played a vigorous 18
holes of golf, and seemed very much on his game. His spirits are good,
especially considering all that he has been through.
Among the many positive things to come out of this unexpected and scary
turn of events has been the incredible outpouring of support for Bill that
has come from all quarters - people on the street, friends, fans, and
family. He is much loved, and all those thoughts and pryayers have
definitely been a comfort to him and the rest of us.
Many Thanks,
R.E.M.
27 March 1995
o "What was Warner Brothers' official, early response to all of
the rumors about Bill's condition?"
NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by
Warner Bros. Records:
R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry was taken ill with an acute migraine
90 minutes into the band's set at Lausanne's Patinoire Auditorium on
Wednesday, March 1.
Following overnight observation by Swiss doctors, an examination
revealed that Berry, 36, had suffered a ruptured aneurysm (subarachnoid
haemorrhage) on the right hand outside surface of his brain. There was
no internal bleeding.
On Friday, March 3 an operating team performed a craniotomy. This
is a micro surgical procedure in which the aneurysm is clipped, securing
it against any further bleeding.
The operation was uneventful and 100% successful and the doctors are
happy with Berry's recovery.
Berry will spend the next week to 10 days recuperating in
Switzerland. The functions of his body and brain have not been impaired
in any way and the doctors predict he'll be able to pick up his
drumsticks within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
The current R.E.M. tour will naturally be postponed for the
foreseeable future. But Berry is in good hands and good spirits and is
expected to make a full and speedy recovery.
o "What is an aneurysm?"
From the Grolier Encyclopedia:
"aneurysm {an'-yur-izm}
"An aneurysm is a widening or dilation of a blood vessel caused by thinning
of the vessel wall. A potentially lethal complication is the rupture of
the vessel with resultant massive hemorrhage. Aneurysms usually occur in
arteries but may also be seen in the heart after local damage, or in
veins.
"Arterial aneurysms are more common than venous, occurring most often in
elderly, diabetic, or hypertensive persons. They may be caused by
congenital thinning of the muscular portions of the artery, during
atherosclerotic degeneration of the aorta or of the carotid or basilar
arteries, by trauma to a vessel wall, by infectious injury, or by
degeneration from other causes. The likelihood of rupture is increased by
high blood pressure. Defects in arteries of the eye may result in miliary
(small, multiple) aneurysms of the retina.
"Treatment of a person with a ruptured aneurysm may include reduction of
blood pressure, bed rest for two weeks, replacement of the weakened vessel
by a graft or encasement in plastic, or mechanically stopping blood flow
to or through the aneurysm."
--------
From the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine:
"Causes: Ruptured aneurysms, usually congenital Berry aneurysms...
"Berry aneurysms: 15% are multiple. Common sites are the junction of the
posterior communicating artery with internal carotid, the anterior
communicating artery, and the middle cerebral artery. Genetic influence
suggested. Skin biopsy may identify relatives at risk by demonstrating
type III collagen deficiency (M Venning 1981 British Medical Journal II
p824). Associated with polycystic kidneys, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, coarc-
tation of aorta.
"Clinical features: A sudden severe headache, possibly with faintness and
vomiting.
"Rebleeding can occur in 30% of patients and is a common mode of death,
often in the first five days, or around the 12th day from the initial
attack. Vascular spasm follows a bleed, and can cause ischemia leading
to neurological deficits which are permanent.
"Treatment: Early consult with neurologist important, then angiography and
surgery (to clip aneurysm) to reduce risk of rebleeding; this only is
called for if patient is conscious and shows little neurological deficit.
"Medical treatment calls for control of severe hypertension, analgesia for
headaches, and bed rest for about four weeks. Calcium antagonists such
as Nimodipine can be used to counter vascular spasm."
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o "Summary of basic information on Mike Mills' surgery"
The July 12 edition of the _Athens Daily News_ reports that R.E.M. has
once again been forced to cancel some shows in its "Monster" tour due
to band member illness.
This time, Mike Mills "underwent abdominal surgery Tuesday night in
Germany, forcing the band to cancel its concert in Prague, Czech Republic."
The article further quoted R.E.M. management as saying that the procedure
performed was "a laparatomy to release an adhesion of the small intestine."
(Note that Mills underwent an appendectomy in last year, some time before
the start of the world tour, though as of this writing I have no information
indicating this problem is related to that earlier surgery.) The article
stated that Mills will take at least a week and a half to recuperate, and
that "concerts through July 20 have been cancelled."
o "What is a laparotomy?"
It is a surgical incision through the flank or, more generally, through
any part of the abdominal wall, to release an adhesion, which is the
union of two surfaces that are normally separate (or any fibrous band
that connects two such surfaces). Surgery within the abdomen (such as
the appendectomy Mike underwent last year) sometimes results in adhesions
of scar tissue. As an organ heals, fibrous scar tissue forms around
the incision. This scar tissue may cling to the surface of adjoining
organs, causing them to kink. While adhesions are usually painless and
cause no difficulties, occasionally they will produce obstruction or
malfunction by distorting the organ -- in which case surgery may
be recommended to relieve the adhesion(s).
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Many thanks to all who contributed information to this text.
Questions? Email to: rgh3@cornell.edu
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