Emergency Surgery Sidelines Bo Bice

It’s been a rough week for Bo Bice and his family. On Thursday night, Bo was rushed to Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, where he underwent emergency intestinal surgery to remove a blockage. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and Bo is expected to make a full recovery. However, recuperation from this type of surgery is lengthy, and according to sources close to Bo, he will be required to take it easy for at least six weeks. As soon as he is able to travel, he will return home to continue the healing process. This, of course, means that the show will have to go on without him.

Bo has had problems with his stomach for months. During finale week in May, he was so sick that he was almost unable to perform. At the time, his problems were attributed to food poisoning, and Bo managed to perform despite feeling poorly. He continued having stomach problems, but these problems were overshadowed when he broke his foot during a show in Manchester, NH, in July. Bo didn’t let any of this stop him, though, and finished his set despite his injury.

Earlier this month it became apparent that there was something very wrong with Bo. He was obviously losing weight, and looked very pale and tired. He was treated several times for stomach problems, but although he altered his set to accommodate his foot, he was still able to bring the audience to its feet night after night.

Last Wednesday night, the Idols performed at the Staples Center in L.A. Bo did his thing and as usual, the crowd went crazy. Then, on Thursday in Las Vegas, Scott Savol announced that one of the Idols wasn't going to be performing because of something unfortunate that happened during the day. Apparently, Bo was rushed to the hospital before the show, and after some more tests, the diagnosis was made and he was taken to surgery.

What makes all of these even more compelling is that, after attending the show in L.A. Wednesday night, Bo’s half-brother John Cohran and his wife Colette were involved in a car accident on their way back to Camp Pendleton where John is stationed. According to one report, John braked to avoid hitting an animal in the road and crashed into a tractor-trailer. John was treated for head injuries but has since been released. Colette, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, was not seriously injured.

All of this leaves the tour producers with a gaping hole in a program where, according to most people who saw the show, Bo was the star. Obviously they have to say something eventually, but how exactly will they handle the absence of one of their biggest draws?

On Saturday night in San Jose, the first show since Bo’s surgery, those in attendance were not told in advance that Bo would not be performing. Then, at the point where Bo would have normally appeared onstage, Anthony announced that Bo would not be performing and instead, his performance of “Vehicle” was shown on the jumbotron. After that, Constantine came out, singing “Sweet Home Alabama,” and was joined by Scott, Anthony, Anwar, and Nikko in an emotional tribute to Bo. At the end of the show, during the encore, Constantine wore a Bo Bice tee shirt! You have to think that this is really hard on the rest of the group as well as the fans.

In the end, though, it’s not about the concert or Idol or the fans. It’s about a guy who genuinely loves what he does and has so much appreciation for his fans that he would finish not just his set, but the entire show after having broken a bone onstage. It’s about bringing it night after night, despite being in constant pain and undoubtedly some degree of worry. It’s about not giving up and delivering as promised. And now, it’s about taking the time to recover and heal.

Certainly, this experience will mature Bo both as an artist and a human being. There’ll be time enough for the music. It’s important now that he finds comfort with his family and friends, and regains his strength. No, he won’t be coming to a city near you, at least not this summer. For now, let’s be grateful that the problem was discovered and corrected successfully. From all the reports that I have read, this condition can be fatal if it is not caught in time. Bo was very, very lucky.

I know I speak for all of us at Foxes on Idol in wishing Bo a speedy recovery.

Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer based in Syracuse, New York. While entertainment sustains her emotionally, she earns her daily bread by writing and editing web copy. Check out her website at www.reynoldswrites.com. Donna loves mail, so shoot her an email at foxydonna@earthlink.net.

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