A month after undergoing a major surgery for a blocked intestine, Pat Sajak, the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” opened up about his experience. In his first interview since the surgery, he shared with “Good Morning America” that he thought he might die just moments before the operation.
In November, Sajak experienced severe pain while out for a walk with his daughter. The pain got worse and, a few hours later, he was headed into surgery. He described the pain as “horrifying,” and said he was lying in bed in a fetal position. Despite doctors trying to treat the pain with different medications, nothing seemed to help.
Eventually, doctors gave him a medication that helped him feel better. “Suddenly, I wasn’t thinking about the pain,” Sajak explained. He began to feel relaxed and even noticed colorful images in his mind, as if he was in another place. He also heard his wife and daughter talking, but they sounded distant, even though they were right next to him. He thought to himself that this might be what dying feels like.
Sajak admitted that he was worried about how his wife and kids would cope if something happened to him. He didn’t want them to deal with the consequences of his passing. However, he later found out that his worries were unfounded.
“It turns out, I was just high,” he joked, laughing about his experience. His surgery was successful, and he’s doing well now. “Good Morning America” confirmed that the procedure went smoothly.
Doctors couldn’t find any underlying cause for his intestinal blockage, and Sajak doesn’t need to change his lifestyle. “I’ve been feeling great ever since,” he said. He returned to the “Wheel of Fortune” studio soon after and joked that he was happy to be back.
While he was recovering, Vanna White, his longtime co-host, took over hosting duties. Sajak joked that he was a little worried Vanna might end up taking over the show for good. “I found out she enjoys hosting, and I’m a little worried,” he laughed. Despite the joke, it’s clear that Sajak is happy in his role and feeling much better.