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George Michael: It was touch and go Singer tells of life and death pneumonia battle http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4018433/George-Michael-speaks-for-first-time-since-he-was-struck-down-by-pneumonia-Singer-reveals-it-was-touch-and-go.html The pop star, 48, said: "It was touch and go for a couple of weeks. I'm incredibly lucky to be here."
Gaunt George spoke of "the worst month of his life" and revealed he had needed a tracheotomy op — a hole cut in his throat — just to breathe.
And he appeared short of breath as he told of his ordeal for the first time — but insisted he is now a "new man" and vowed to perform again.
The Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go legend was rushed to hospital in Vienna, Austria, last month and had to axe the remainder of his Symphonica world tour. Yesterday he told a press conference outside his mansion in Highgate, North London:
I'm not supposed to speak for very long at a time, but Merry Christmas everyone. I feel amazing. I mean, I'm very weak, but I feel amazing. I got streptococca-something. It's a form of pneumonia, and they spent three weeks keeping me alive, basically.
I don't want to take you through all of it because some of it I want to protect my family from.
I'm sure I'll get it all written down. But it was basically by far the worst month of my life.
But I'm incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here, and incredibly fortunate to have picked up this bug where I did.
Apparently the hospital in Austria they rushed me to was absolutely the best place in the world I could have been in to deal with pneumonia.
So I have to believe somebody thinks I've still got some work to do here, you know? Close_quote
Reporters asked George what kept him going through the illness.
He replied: "My family, the thought of all the people I still have to play to, the fact I've been so lucky, and the fact I've still got plenty to live for.
"I have this amazing, amazing life, and if I wasn't spiritual enough before the last four or five weeks — I certainly am now."
Asked how close to death he came, the star broke down in tears as he revealed:
Well, I would say it was touch and go for a couple of weeks. We played it down, I didn't want to worry my fans too much. And I'm really sorry that I couldn't contact them in any way before now — I was really not in any state to.
But I promise them, absolutely without question, the plan is to play to every single person who had a ticket.
Also, I would like to play one other show for the doctors in the hospital in Austria that saved my life. I spent the last ten days since I woke up literally thanking people for saving my life.
Which is something I've never had to do before and never want to do again.
And I really, really, really, really, from the bottom of my heart, thank everybody who sent messages, and everybody in that IC (intensive care) unit who made sure I'm here today.
I really can't say any more because I'm really... I'm trying to get over the tracheotomy. Thank you, and a very, very, very, very, very, very Merry Christmas to everybody.
Asked if the experience had changed his life, George — once one half of Wham! — added: "Absolutely, I'm a new man. I really have to go, I'm sorry."
The star had his throat covered with a scarf as he relived his illness — and revealed for the first time just how seriously ill he had been.
A tracheotomy is an operation in which doctors cut a hole in a patient's throat to allow them to breathe without using their nose or mouth.
The singer's voice sounded strong, although it cracked with emotion as he spoke. Earlier, he had brought out mince pies for the waiting press pack.
Later George left his home carrying flowers and was driven off in a Range Rover — before breaking a 37-day Twitter silence caused by his illness.
He seemed in high spirits as he posted: "Hey everyone, your favourite homo is home :)))."
He added: "I'm back and I'm proud, though not very loud (which, I assure you, will be temporary!).
"MERRY XMAS TO ALL OF YOU! ISN'T LIFE GRAND!! X" Other celebs took to Twitter to send their best wishes. Kylie Minogue said: "Great to see @GeorgeMichael doing well! GM here's to a great Christmas to you x."
TV presenter Piers Morgan added: "Very happy, and relieved, to see @GeorgeMichael still alive and kicking.
"Sounds like he's been through hell. Get well soon, mate."
Careless Whisper singer George flew home for Christmas on Thursday after being discharged from the AKH clinic in Vienna.
Doctors there had feared his voice could be permanently damaged by the potentially fatal lung infection.
And initial fears for George's life caused panic among millions of fans around the world.
Last week his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz tweeted that George would be back in England for Christmas.
He wrote: "Christmas at home. I cannot stop smiling today, the best day ever. He is getting better and better."
George's illness ordeal caps a tough couple of years for the star.
In July 2010, he was arrested after crashing in Hampstead, North London.
That September he was jailed for driving while unfit through drugs, and possessing two cannabis cigarettes. He was released in the October and promised to learn from his mistakes.
On the opening night of his Symphonica tour this August, he announced he had split from long-term partner Kenny Goss two years earlier.
The singer's official website has a link to a get-well card posted on his Facebook page, and urged fans to post messages.