Over the weekend, comedian Artie Lange posted a series of Tweets revealing he underwent emergency surgery after a recent performance in Chicago, to combat a particularly nasty chest infection.
According to Lange, the infection was due to complications from his many addictions, which he talks about often and openly; "All the blow & H I've done for yrs blew hole in my nose & landed in my chest..." he posted, "They ripped open my chest and got it all. I cheated the devil for the hundredth time."
In this heartfelt update, Lange gives frank details about the procedure and his ongoing drug issues, talking about the impact his habits have had on his health and personal life; he also says he hopes to return to HBO's Crashing, and calls producer Judd Apatow a "saint."
Here's the entire story, in Lange's own words:
After Chicago gig I collapsed. I had emergency surgery. All the blow & H I've done for yrs blew hole in my nose & landed in my chest...
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
It was infected. I was hours from checkin out. They ripped open my chest and got it all. I cheated the devil for the hundredth time
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
You young fans. Who I love. Who say they love me. I have been in jail from here to Paris. I've got multiple knife scars. Ppl I love leave
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
Now I'm laying in the hospital w tubes in a hole in my chest. They put a permanent IV line in my arm to my heart for long term antibiotics
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
I'm done bullshitting. The Dr says I will be back. Judd Apatow is a saint. I hope to do Crashing Dr told me many other ppl would b dead
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
I'm an ox he says. So something keeps me here. If u fans come up to me on drugs plan on a fight. Pls be strong. My life should be great
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
I'm an ox he says. So something keeps me here. If u fans come up to me on drugs plan on a fight. Pls be strong. My life should be great
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
Stay strong. need cash.So be out next week working again. Next chapter. If I'm not clean I'm gone. I love u. As for u death pool fucks-
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
As McQueen says at the end of Papillon "Hey you bastards?! I'm still here!"
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
Peace. Artie Lange Withdrawals w hole in my chest. Some hero. Later. Be back
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 8, 2017Very scary - but at least Lange's making the best of his hospital stay. He later posted this follow-up, between RTs from many well-wishing fans and promos for his upcoming gigs, which he's optimistically keeping on his schedule :
Two words: Nurse Pussy pic.twitter.com/HvHf5Ph6E6
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) July 10, 2017