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On June 28, 2022, news broke that Travis Barker was rushed to the hospital. His wife, Kourtney Kardashian—who was reportedly "very scared"—stayed by his side the whole time, as seen in photos published by TMZ. Several hours before the incident, the Blink-182 drummer published an ominous tweet saying, "God save me."Here's what really happened.
Why Was Travis Barker Hospitalized?
The Barkers never addressed the musician's health scare prior to his hospitalization. However, a source told Us Weekly that it was due to pancreatitis. On July 2, Barker finally released a statement about his condition, confirming that he was diagnosed with "life-threatening pancreatitis," which resulted from a routine endoscopy he had on June 27.
"I went in for an endoscopy Monday feeling great. But After dinner, I developed excruciating pain and have been hospitalized ever since," the Meet the Barkers alum wrote on his Instagram Story.
"During the endoscopy, I had a very small polyp removed right in a very sensitive area, usually handled by specialists, which unfortunately damaged a critical pancreatic drainage tube," he continued.
"This resulted in severe life threatening pancreatitis." He concluded the statement by assuring fans that he's recovering pretty well. "I am so very very grateful that with intensive treatment I am currently much better," he wrote.
Kardashian echoed her husband's sentiments on her Instagram account. "Oh what a scary and emotional week it has been. Our health is everything and sometimes we take for granted how quickly it can change. Travis and I went in for a routine endoscopy together and he ended up with severe, life-threatening pancreatitis," she said.
"I am so grateful to God for healing my husband, for all of your prayers for him and for us, for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support. I am so touched and appreciative."
She also gave a shoutout to the nurses and doctors at Cedar Sinai for their "wonderful care" of her and her husband. "It's crazy how sometimes words could never truly express the gratitude or feelings I have inside me," she wrote at the end of her statement.
Explaining Travis Barker's 'Life-Threatening Pancreatitis'
According to Mayo Clinic, pancreatitis is "inflammation of the pancreas" that "can occur as acute pancreatitis — meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days." Science Direct also confirms that pancreatitis "is a rare potential complication for patients that develops after a coloscopy," per New York Post. Alcohol abuse and gallstones are the leading causes of the illness.
Symptoms of the disease vary from person to person. But the most common ones are nausea, vomiting, fever, and severe stomach pain like Barker reportedly experienced. He had "extreme stomach pain" and was "barely able to walk" upon admission to the hospital. While mild cases can easily be treated, severe cases can "cause life-threatening complications" like kidney failure, diabetes, malnutrition, breathing problems, and pancreatic cancer.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, a patient suffering from pancreatitis is usually given intravenous fluids, pain medicines, and antibiotics during hospitalization. In mild cases, patients can eat clear liquids or a low-fat diet. But in worse cases, they will have a hard time eating or drinking for a few days until their pancreas recovers.
How Is Kourtney Kardashian Handling Travis Barker's Illness?
A day after Barker was rushed to the hospital, an insider told People that Kardashian "was worried yesterday." Another source told Hollywood Life that The Kardashians star "was very scared" the entire time. "When he was rushed to the hospital, she was very scared," they said. "Kourtney is a very strong woman, but this really hit home to her. She knew that she had to be strong for Travis. She told him she would not leave his side, and she hasn't."
On July 5, 2022, a day after he was released from the hospital, Barker was spotted hitting the beach with his wife and his step-kids, Penelope and Reign Disick. Hollywood Life reported that the family was "seen taking a drive in Travis' classic orange pickup truck to catch some rays on the beach in Calabasas." The drummer also shared a snap of the empty beach via Instagram Story.
