WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman has been dealing with some health problems lately.
Posting to Instagram, Ottman revealed that he’s been hospitalized for the last month after his gall bladder “exploded” leading to a widespread infection. He is hoping to be discharged soon but shared that he will require surgery towards the end of the month.
“I’m coming at you live from St. Petersburg, FL where I’ve been in the hospital for about 30 days. I’ve been off the mat, I’ve been out of touch. I just wanted to let you all know I didn’t fall off the planet. I just wanted to let everyone know that so far so good, I’m okay. I had something happen, me and my wife and my immediate family and friends, I’ve kept it on the down low.”
“I had unfortunately my gall bladder exploded inside of me and it released a bunch of poison into my body. So I’ve been on my back for 30 days. The doctors have been amazing, my surgeons and all that. I had a major infection along with some of the stuff that I’ve been dealing with as far as the infection goes. If I would have waited one more day, the doctors told my wife I probably wouldn’t be here with you, be able to talk to you guys.”
“But I’m here. I’ve lost a lot of muscle mass. I’ve lost a lot of different things. It’s been a brutal fight. I’ve been learning how to walk again. It’s been a fight. I’m not out of the woods yet, but Monday afternoon later they are going to let me out of here.”
“I was almost at the point I was going to have to go on dialysis but so far so good. They still have to go at the end of the month, like the 23rd, and operate on me. Take this drainage bag out of me. I’ve got a good wife. I’ve got great friends. My wrestling buddies are just amazing.”
Ottman wrestled in WWE as both Tugboat and Typhoon, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame just last year as a member of the latter team with the late John “Earthquake” Tenta.