AFL legend Kevin Sheedy has revealed he is ‘lucky to be here’ after a medical emergency struck while on holiday with his family.
The 76-year-old former GWS and Essendon coach was visiting family on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast when he fell ill and required urgent medical attention.
He needed urgent medical attention and was hospitalized for several days, while his wife Geraldine made a statement on behalf of the family.
“Kevin was visiting family on the Sunshine Coast when he developed a fever and sought medical attention,” she said.
‘He has since been admitted to hospital for tests to be carried out to determine the cause of the problem.
“Like all athletes, he would prefer not to spend time on the bench and he looks forward to returning to Melbourne and resuming his commitments as soon as possible.”
Kevin Sheedy, pictured with his wife Geraldine, suffered a medical episode while on holiday on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in August
The former GWS and Essendon coach initially feared he had suffered a heart attack
Now, Sheedy has opened up about the scary episode and admitted he has scaled back his work commitments as a result.
“I’m doing much better than I was a few months ago in Queensland,” he said Channel 7.
‘It’s just nice to be back on our feet.
“Probably in my lifetime it was quite important to think about the fact that you just end up on the floor of your hotel room and wake up a few hours later and try to get back to Melbourne to try to get treatment.
“I ended up spending a few weeks in hospital in Queensland, they were fantastic people… and I ended up coming back to Melbourne.
‘When I think about it, I’ve probably slowed down a bit, but I love working. I really enjoy inspiring Australians with creative thinking and energy, and making sure you give your life the best opportunities possible, because your life is truly a gift from your parents, and you should not let them down.”
Sheedy was hospitalized for several days where he was treated for a virus that caused him to black out
Sheedy looked on the bright side and said he could now wear his old suits and clothes again
Sheedy described what was going through his mind as he lay on the floor of his hotel room.
‘The lights went out. I found myself searching for my phone about two hours later just to make sure I could get up and take the Uber to the airport to get home to Melbourne, which I ended up doing, which was fine, he said.
‘A lot of colors went through my head at that time. I know in my head exactly what happened, and one day I will ask an artist to paint it. Incredible colors went through my head.
‘I’ve never talked about it, but I think I’m going to ask an artist to draw that.
‘Nobody thinks you’re going to have a heart attack or that you’ll no longer exist for a few hours of your life.
“Anyway, I’m really enjoying being here in Melbourne. I went to the final and attended and spoke at a few events, which is really good.”
The champion coach initially thought he was having a heart attack before medical experts confirmed he had been struck by a virus.
‘Don’t know. I thought I was having a heart attack, but I don’t know what a heart attack is,” Sheedy said.
‘And the other thing, of course, was that the brilliant specialist who had treated me said they couldn’t find what the virus was, but they think I may have had a very serious virus, captured somewhere in Australia or overseas. I had been abroad to speak at a conference.
“They said it was quite amazing that they (couldn’t) find it, but it happens every now and then so I just have to park that and move on with my life.
‘I lost a stone in weight. I have a whole new collection of clothes and suits that I can wear again, which is fantastic.
“But overall I’m probably lucky to be here. I am here; I’ll take that.’