George Michael reveals he came close to death during treatment for pneumonia

The frail-looking singer says he feels 'weak but amazing' at a press conference outside his home in north London

guardian.co.uk, Sam Jones, Friday 23 December 2011

George Michael speaks outside his home after recovering from
pneumonia. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

George Michael has revealed how close he came to dying from pneumonia, describing his recent battle against the illness as "touch and go" and "by far the worst month of my life".

The singer, who was treated at an Austrian hospital after falling ill while on tour last month, said he felt "very weak but amazing" after returning to the UK.

Speaking to reporters at a hastily convened press conference outside his north London home, a thin, emotional and frail-looking Michael said he was not supposed to speak for long as he was recovering from a tracheotomy.

He said: "It was by far the worst month of my life, but I am incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here – and to have picked up the bug where I did."

Fighting back tears, the singer said he had "woken up" in the hospital 10 days ago and had played down the gravity of his illness to avoid alarming his fans. "I got streptococca-something … It's a form of pneumonia and they spent three weeks keeping me alive basically," he said.

The 48-year-old former Wham! singer thanked all those who had sent messages and support – and paid tribute to the medical staff who cared for him. He said he had spent the 10 days since he woke up thanking those who kept him alive.

The singer said his family, fans and "the fact that I still have plenty to live for" had helped him pull through the illness. He added: "I have an amazing, amazing life and if I wasn't spiritual enough before the last four or five weeks then I certainly am now."

He also said he would make up the cancelled dates of his Symphonica tour. "The plan is to play to every single person who had a ticket," he said. "And I would like to play one show for the doctors in the hospital in Austria who saved my life."

Michael posed for photographers in front of a Christmas tree on a green across the road from his house. Asked if he would pose without his dark glasses, he smiled and said: "No, I'm sorry."

Before he appeared, an assistant had brought out a plate of mince pies for the waiting reporters and photographers. Michael wished them all a happy Christmas and said: "I hope you enjoyed your mince pies."

Last month, doctors at the AKH hospital in Vienna said Michael had been in intensive care because of the severity of the illness and made clear he would need a complete rest to recover. But they emphasised he had no further underlying health problems.

In a statement, professors Gottfried Locker and Christoph Zielinski said: "The latest development in Mr Michael's case, which has evolved from a severe pneumococcal infection, necessitated intensive care due to its severity and extension. We are happy to announce that Mr Michael is improving steadily with an impressive regression of pneumonic symptoms, and follows a steady rate of improvement as hoped.

"There are no other health issues with regards to the patient other than the underlying pneumonic disorder, and no further measures had to be taken."

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"Perceptions of God" – June 6, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Quantum Teaching, The Fear of God, Near-death Experience, God Becomes Mythology, Worship, Mastery, Intelligent Design, Benevolent Creator,Global Unity.... etc.) (Text version)

“… When a Human almost dies, they get close to the veil, very close. They are ever so close to the creator's energy and just barely touched by it. When their heart was stopping and their breathing was almost gone, before they were brought back to life with science, they got to touch the hand of God for just an instant. What they saw was magnificent! The energy before them was filled with love and light, filled with family, filled with beauty. There was no strife there. There was no punishment there or even the hint of it. And when they came back from that experience, listen to what they told you. It changed their lives, didn't it? Listen to each one talk about it, for they continued to say, "There is nothing to fear and death is something you experience as a normal transition." Blessed is the Human Being who experiences both death and birth and has the wisdom to report, "Oh, it's uncomfortable, but I'll get through it, because I've done it before." The person who has experienced a near-death experience is no longer afraid to die! What does that tell you? They have seen what is there and they embrace it! …”