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In an interview with Parisian, Michel Drucker confides in his recovery after undergoing a second open-heart surgery last March.
Michel Drucker underwent heart surgery a second time in March, less than three years after the first, for infective endocarditis of the mitral valve. Both surgeries were performed with an open heart: the thorax was opened by cutting the sternum. This type of invasive procedure usually lasts at least two hours and requires several weeks of recovery.
“I was like a shadow, a ghost”
The TV presenter confided for the first time to journalists since his last operation. “I went through all kinds of emotions. Today, things are much better, but I went through some difficult times. Some nights I was so exhausted that I thought I would never make it. I was like a shadow, a ghost“, said Michel Drucker.
The octogenarian now wants to reassure his public, after having gone through difficult times. He says he had difficulty eating and lost nearly 10 kilos. But he is much better now and says he is lucky to have survived such health issues. “I’m fine and I still have a hard time realizing. Given the gravity of what I experienced, I should never have seen a journalist in front of me again. It’s miraculous”.
The host was to make his return to TV in April. But this second operation forced him to several months of convalescence. Michel Drucker should return to the air next season. His goal ? Celebrating 60 years of career during the Paris Olympics.
What is infective endocarditis?
It is the infection of the heart valves by bacteria (most often streptococci or staphylococci) or fungi. The disease affects men twice as often as women. It can be seen at any age. Endocarditis most commonly affects the left heart.
Screening for endocarditis must be rapid because it is an emergency. Unfortunately, half of the cases are only diagnosed after one month of progression and one out of ten endocarditis is only detected after 6 months.