George Clooney's neck/brain injury from 2005

by Katiedot Fri 17 Feb 2012, 10:24

This is from the Hollywood reporter. I know that in the past he's alluded to having short term memory loss and still getting headaches from his injury but this is the first time I've seen him really talk about this in depth.

It was while making the latter that he fell during a scene in which he was taped to a chair while his character was tortured. His head split open, days before he was scheduled to wrap.

"I knew immediately [how serious it was]," he says. "I thought I'd had a stroke. It was like a train horn going off in your head and you can't see and you can't stand." Instantly, he chartered a plane from Morocco back to Los Angeles and checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

For three weeks, nobody was able to diagnose him, even though spinal fluid was leaking out of his nose. It was only when actress Lisa Kudrow led him to her neurologist brother that he discovered fluid also was leaking from his spine and he had torn his dura, the outermost layer enveloping the spinal cord.

"Then we started doing these things called myelograms, where they shoot contrast into your system and you can see what's leaking out," Clooney adds. "I had a two-and-a-half-inch tear in the middle of my back and a half-inch tear in my neck. The doctors did these blood patches, where they tie you down to a bed, and you're awake because they have a long needle and need to know if they're touching your spinal cord. And they take blood out and shoot it directly into your spinal column to try to get the blood to coagulate in those spots. I did about 15 of those over 15 days. It's like getting a spinal tap every day, and you're awake. But what we didn't understand was how big the holes were."

The pain was so great, he has said he contemplated suicide. "I thought I was going to die. Talk to any doctor about a CSF -- a cerebral/spinal fluid leak -- and they'll tell you it's way up there on the pain scale. There was this whole coming to terms with [mortality]."

On Christmas Day 2005, Clooney endured a successful nine-hour surgery. "Then you start on a series of painkillers. They'll hand you a giant tub of Vicodin, which is not a good drug for me; I had a lot of stomach pain and I really didn't like the high it gave me. Then there were a lot of other drugs. I was on morphine for a while, which created this horrible anxiety where I really thought I was in trouble."

The pain never has vanished but at least has diminished over time.

"It's been a long recovery," the actor says. "I had to accept that I'm going to beat this on a very different level, almost psychological. I went to a pain-management guy whose idea was, 'You can't mourn for how you used to feel, because you're never going to feel that way again.' Meaning, you wake up with the worst hangover ever, and that's your day, and you have to come to terms with it."

This is his life now. He recognizes he's getting older, must deal with pain that afflicts him on average three times per week and speaks of it with a characteristic lack of complaint.

"I've gone from where I can't function, where 'I just can't live like this,' to 'I've got a bad headache.' It's called 'positional,' meaning the longer you sit upright or stand upright, the worse it gets. That's how it is. As the day goes on, it gets worse. My ears will literally pop and my head goes ape-shit. But I'm scrappy."

He brushes it off. "My friend [actress] Karen Duffy, who is in unimaginable pain [from sarcoidosis, a disease in which inflammatory cells coalesce around various organs], has taught me so much: That any complaints I have are the most ridiculous thing in the world, because her pain is so much greater."

by Natascha Fri 17 Feb 2012, 10:32

This sounds really terrible, I'm so sorry for both George and Karen.
My Mom has problems with her back, too and it is heartbreaking to see how she has to suffer.

by Katiedot Fri 17 Feb 2012, 10:36

I wish we had the old Clooneyfiles forum around because the way he talks about this now is quite different from how it was reported six years ago.

by watching Fri 17 Feb 2012, 10:39

On Christmas Day 2005, Clooney endured a successful nine-hour surgery.

George has stated previously that after his surgery, all the Boys were there when he awoke. It makes you adore the Boys even more than normal. On Christmas day when they would normally be spending time with their families and celebrating, they all turned up at the hospital to show their support and be there when he woke up.

Quote from CLOONEY’S NINE San Francisco Chronicle December 4, 2005
And he feels battered on the inside by an injury he sustained during a staged beating in his new movie, "Syriana." Severe headaches, the result of a ruptured spinal fluid sac, led to an operation to have his spine fused with plastic bolts.

"After six hours of surgery, I wake up and there are all eight guys standing around," he says.

Sourced quote from this site in The Boys section Link And I think in the past he has talked the injury down (previously the surgery was 6 hours, njow it was 9 hours) - maybe he was worried insurance wouldn't cover him for future projects, that studios would overlook him as the lead if he was still recovering from the injury, maybe he didn't want a fuss made over it. Who knows? It's easier to talk 6-7 years later after doing a wide variety of work that highlights his abilities as an actor and director. He fronted up to Japan on 12th Jan 2005 (surgery was Xmas Day 2004 - article put wrong year) with his neck bandaged.I think he wanted to prove he was ok as soon as he could, even if behind the scenes it was a completely different story. Link to Japan 2005 pics

by NotAvailable Fri 17 Feb 2012, 11:24

He also had a bout of malaria this Christmas past. It comes back once you have it. and he had a renewed attack. Thats in either the THR article or The Enquirer article of the 14th. Thats when i saw that article, but the 15th brought the THR article.Interesting stuff in that Enquirer article about the 26th of Feb.

by Joanna Fri 17 Feb 2012, 11:54

Thanks watching for all the past information and pictures. He did talk about it to Oprah too, and played it down then.
A lot of people do that when it's a recent occurrence but talk more openly when the memories aren't so painful.
I remember Nick writing about it around the time of the
Syriana premier.
I have to close my eyes during the torture scene knowing what happened to him.

by Natascha Fri 17 Feb 2012, 11:58

I can't watch that scene, either. He really paid a high price for that Oscar.....

by silly girl Fri 17 Feb 2012, 12:00

I actually find the whole movie disturbing and could never really watch it....the scene with the little boy and the torture scene....even before I knew what happened....I know he did a good job but it is a hard film to watch....

by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 12:49

Natascha wrote:I can't watch that scene, either. He really paid a high price for that Oscar.....

by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 12:50

but thanks to all the Boys Hug1

they were there Thumbs up!

by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 12:52

so it was on Xmas Day 2004

oh my.... 7 years ago
already pale

by lelacorb Fri 17 Feb 2012, 14:14

George after surgery

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by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 15:03

no pics here!

by Michelle meyers Fri 17 Feb 2012, 15:12

I, too, have been through something so bad a considered suicide and i am glad I am still here. i just keep thinking about all the people I would be leaving. i also think about the light at the end of the tunnel and I want to be around to see it. Just so long as it's NOT an oncoming train

pain comes in all different forms mental and physical and with the right people by you , you can get through it but that's IMO.
If you have been in the last forum you have heard me complain about my marriage i won't do that here... it's like beating a dead horse anyway. I wanna ride on a horse into the wind..... Very Happy

by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 15:15

by Joanna Fri 17 Feb 2012, 15:26

lelacorb wrote:
George after surgery

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Aaaaah, Little Chubby Face after putting the weight on for Syriana.
I remember him talking about how difficult it was to get it off again when he was in bed all the time after his surgery etc
Who can blame him for finding some solace in wine & women Hug1

by MM Fri 17 Feb 2012, 16:58

it's me wrote:
Natascha wrote:I can't watch that scene, either. He really paid a high price for that Oscar.....

Really. They should have had a stunt man do that scene. Tying George to that chair without it being nailed to the floor was just asking for trouble. And, trouble did follow. George could have either died or been paralyzed for life. It was just so senseless....

by Vi Fri 17 Feb 2012, 17:01

by lelacorb Fri 17 Feb 2012, 17:09

MM wrote:
it's me wrote:
Natascha wrote:I can't watch that scene, either. He really paid a high price for that Oscar.....

Really. They should have had a stunt man do that scene. Tying George to that chair without it being nailed to the floor was just asking for trouble. And, trouble did follow. George could have either died or been paralyzed for life. It was just so senseless....

You think how that must feel the actor pushed!

by macs Fri 17 Feb 2012, 17:51

Natascha wrote:I can't watch that scene, either. He really paid a high price for that Oscar.....

+ 1
I've read about the injury long after, but even without knowing I had to close my eyes watching the scene (and it takes a lot to do that to me)

by it's me Fri 17 Feb 2012, 23:22

better not even think about that
Vi and MM

by Cinderella Fri 17 Feb 2012, 23:50

I feel so bad about his pain! I wish I could do something to help! Mad

by Dexterdidit Fri 17 Feb 2012, 23:53

It's where pain management comes into things. I'm in pain every day but you do get used to it and it is better to do things then sit and think about it. So I understand why George keeps busy keeps his mind off things but of course it also causes him pain. Really it is a no win situation but George seems to have come to terms with it and is doing what he can. Could be why we aren't seeing him on his motorcycle much anymore.

by Cinderella Fri 17 Feb 2012, 23:56

I wonder what effect that will have on the Ireland bike trip.

by Joanna Sat 18 Feb 2012, 00:33

Well, it was a few years ago and he did tell Andrew Marr in the BBC interview that it was all fixed now and he was feeling more comfortable.
He's been on his bike since in Como I believe.

by The next mrs clooney Sat 18 Feb 2012, 01:16

I feel I can relate to George with this as I had brain surgery six months ago. It's such a hard experience to go through something like this and it's easy to want to give up when you think it won't get better. So glad he didn't give up.

by Pari Sat 18 Feb 2012, 04:09

Dexterdidit: "It's where pain management comes into things. I'm in pain every day but you do get used to it and it is better to do things then sit and think about it. So I understand why George keeps busy keeps his mind off things but of course it also causes him pain. Really it is a no win situation but George seems to have come to terms with it and is doing what he can. Could be why we aren't seeing him on his motorcycle much anymore."

The next mrs clooney: "I feel I can relate to George with this as I had brain surgery six months ago. It's such a hard experience to go through something like this and it's easy to want to give up when you think it won't get better. So glad he didn't give up."

I salute you brave ladies... Like a Star @ heaven

and those who are in simillar situations... Give hearts

Everytime I read about the after math of George's physical injury and his torment from it... I wonder IF he was N/EVER healed in the first place...?? Is the post surgery treatment not more advanced... or was it incomplete...? I continue to wonder... scratch

by it's me Sat 18 Feb 2012, 13:11

no
brilliant doctors said he was a sissy
a (stupid fool of an) actor
who didn't know what pain means

sadly he did
a lot

no one didn't understand
no one but Lisa Kudrow's brother (thanks God)

after all
maybe he has been saved by a miracle

and, at first, doctors didn't think it was possible to endure under such pain
erasing the possibility of a spinal fluid leaking

I so much hate pain Tears of frustration

so the whole thing, his and yours, is so
painful Exploded

to me

by The next mrs clooney Sat 18 Feb 2012, 15:33

To go through such an experience is also emotional and physical. Im sure in the beginning it was easier to tell people that everything was fixed. For me I made light of my surgery because I didn't want to deal with the emotions of such a life changing experience. He may now feel more comfortable with his emotions related to this and thats why he is speaking more openly about what occurred and what continues to be an issue for him.

by it's me Sat 18 Feb 2012, 15:37

it's sad

and he is really brave

by MM Sun 19 Feb 2012, 00:00

I suffer from degenerative spine disease. It is genetic, both my mother and my grandmother suffered from it. They had really bad arthritis in their thirties, and I followed suit.

In addition, I suffered a lower back injury at fifteen in a trampoline accident. I damaged the cartiliage in my Lumber 4 and 5 vertabrae, and I still have flare-ups from time to time. I deal with it by using Aspercreme and taking Epsom salt soaks in the tub. I use natural remedies whenever possible because of the effects that oral pain medicine causes on the liver and kidneys.

by it's me Sun 19 Feb 2012, 00:36

oh my God
I'm sometimes in pain too
but this is NOTHING
compared

you are really brave

Hug1

by Pari Mon 20 Feb 2012, 17:23

it's me wrote:no

I so much hate pain
so the whole thing, his and yours, is so
painful
to me

The best way to handle pain is to take it head on Baby Girl... Like taking the bull by it's horns Very Happy

I think George did just that, which might have made him more brave... Running away from pain, will only make it fester inside, and will not heal wholesome like it should... I love you

Don't be afraid of it either, for it will only snowball big coming after you... Hug1

by Pari Mon 20 Feb 2012, 17:30

MM too... And for anyone who is having to hug their pain at the moment, especially for when pain is the only faithful companion... Love, prayers and I love you

by pattygirl Mon 20 Feb 2012, 17:39

MM, there is a perscription Gel called Voltaren that is wonderfully effective. It is a topical remedy and works wonderfully. Don't know exactly what it costs as I only pay a co-pay but for me it is close to being miraculous. I have bad arthritis in my hands, neck and shoulders. Also my hips and upper legs. Had broken hip repaired with a rod and screws that really acts up with a lot of walking. This is the first remedy that works. Additionally, I can't sit down in a tub (really can't get out of tub) so I can't soak. (If I could afford it, I'd get one of those walk-in tubs but too expensive). I'm not one who usually touts any kind of medication but THIS IS IT!

by Michelle meyers Mon 20 Feb 2012, 17:46

MM I am sorry about the pains you are going through.

I guess I am on the lucky side. My main problem, when other things are going well, I can bounce back from it faster and easier.

My prayers are with you.

by Dexterdidit Mon 20 Feb 2012, 23:24

I use Voltaren it is really good we don't get it on perscription here in Oz though. It is very good I have rheumatoid arthritis in my lower spine, hips, shoulders and hands and it really does work wonders. I use a mixture of natural and doctors meds it helps balance each other out but does work out more expensive. George probably uses something for his neck he would need too.

by Katiedot Tue 21 Feb 2012, 10:07

A bit more on this from his interview in The Australian:

Standing on the side of history
BY: TIM TEEMAN From: The Australian February 20, 2012 12:00AM

Clooney has a raw awareness of his own mortality: while shooting Syriana he injured the base of his neck, leaving him -- he recently said -- in so much pain he contemplated suicide. "I was in real trouble," he tells me. "It felt like I was having a stroke. For the first time I contemplated my mortality and whether I had accomplished all I wanted. I felt I was going to die or have to die; I felt I couldn't live with so much pain."

He had three operations. "I took painkillers, but the more you take, the more you need -- it's an escalating thing and I'm too much of a control freak to allow that." He went to "a pain-management guy" who helped change his "pain threshold", encouraging him to think, "If I had been born this way, I wouldn't know it as painful. If it gets super-bad I take a migraine drug that knocks me out for the day. I take it once every two or three months. I still deal with pain. I know when I wake up it will always feel like a hangover, but I can't mourn what I used to be."

Clooney smiles. "I fear death like most people, but I'm a realist: I thought, 'Well, you can die young or live long enough to watch your friends die'. It doesn't end well whatever." He laughs. "Having understood that -- and that is the driving force of my life -- it made me go, 'You must attack life and not get dragged into things that mean nothing'.

The Times
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by it's me Tue 21 Feb 2012, 10:16

three operations

and sometimes reallyreally bad day

he surely need some of us
to take care of him

Love4

by lelacorb Tue 21 Feb 2012, 11:44

it's me wrote:three operations

and sometimes reallyreally bad day

he surely need some of us
to take care of him

let's go I am ready!

by it's me Tue 21 Feb 2012, 13:18

by Cinderella Tue 21 Feb 2012, 14:03

Peace of mind is very helpful I would imagine. I think he made a great choice! I couldn't imagine this world without him! He brings joy to so many! Smile

by it's me Tue 21 Feb 2012, 14:49

please

not even say that....

by Michelle meyers Tue 21 Feb 2012, 17:22

Cinderella wrote:Peace of mind is very helpful I would imagine. I think he made a great choice!
"I couldn't imagine this world without him! "

He brings joy to so many!

YES, peace of mind is crucial! With my problem that is key as well.

When Whitney Houston died, strangely, he popped in my mind and i was so shocked about Whitney I think I put something on my facebook about all the deaths happening; Whitney,Don Cornelius ( he did Soul Train) and Etta James. i was overwhelmed and i poured my heart out right on facebook and I got scared.... what if....

Anyway not to end this on a dreary note Lots of happy

by Cinderella Tue 21 Feb 2012, 17:35

Just to clarify, George is just fine and will be for a long time to come. I admire people like him who have overcome such obstacles! cheers

by Pari Tue 21 Feb 2012, 19:28

Strange... but this thread (and our George... Haaaan the Rascal! Very Happy

) brought out so much of sharing among us... that I hope will help us feel much more closer than ever before... Socimar mentioned her part on another thread also... and yes... each one... every one... got so much more precious I love you

Prayers for total healing and lots of love... and thank you Katie once again, for making all this possible, by putting this House together Smile

by it's me Tue 21 Feb 2012, 19:42

good
it sounds better

thanks

by Michelle meyers Tue 21 Feb 2012, 20:06

Just praying I overcome my obstacles now and to anyone here who has them. you are right this thread made us "open" up more.

"Open House, Open Heart"

Thank you, Katie

by it's me Tue 21 Feb 2012, 20:18

"Open House, Open Heart"

hmmm.... my sensation is that something is still ... absent

what? what is #3?
open....

by MM Tue 21 Feb 2012, 20:19

I wish you the best of luck, MIchelle, since I know you are going through a bad period right now. I really appreciate this forum because we are like good neighbors being supportive of one another.

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