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Craig Boddington Suffers Heart Attack
Not sure if you guys have heard but Craig Boddington suffered a heart attach while on his safari in Uganda. From what I have heard the doctors in Africa didn't believe it to be, but being the smart guy he is, decided to cut the trip short and went home, from what I heard he is resting well and will be leaving the ICU very soon.
No sure did not hear that! I hope he recovers, it doesnt sound like a real bad one though. Craig Boddington is not that old either, born in 1952, a year ahead of me! I wish him well, he is a good guy.
Here is some news from Petersen's.
Boddington's Heart Attack
A good man down, but not out. Many goats around the world breathed a sigh of relief this morning when the first news of Boddington's heart attack hit. But as his cameraman, I'm here to say, "Sorry, suckers we'll be chasing you around the mountains again before you know it. Sleep with one eye open."
I just got off the phone with Mr. and Mrs. Boddington (9:15 AM PST). He and Donna said I could share his current status with all of you. He is in bed, in the hospital but sounded strong and was joking on the phone. He did drop on the side of a mountain, but said he knew he had to survive because he had a copy of my book in his computer bag and couldn't die until I autographed it. So, essentially, I saved his life. You're welcome. Now that I've spoken with Boddington and he sounds like a champ the jokes are back on.
Here is the most recent facebook update from his wife, Donna: "good morning and thank you once again for all of your prayers and well wishes. I'm here with Craig @ the hospital and he is doing remarkably well... eating reading. ready to leave....but they won't let him leave yet! and I think that's a good thing...he needs to stay put for a while....still in ICU but I think they may move him out of ICU today if he keeps up the good work... he's actually being pretty good patient.."
So here's to Boddington and his immediate future of jello, strained pees and no butter! Get well soon and we'll be eating fondue on a mountain in France again soon. Wait, it just occurred to me, we CAN blame this on the French, that fondue may have been the last straw.
BACK STORY AS OF EARLY THIS MORNING:
I don’t take much seriously, but when a good person goes down for the count due to health, I’ll quit joking for the day. I received a text from Craig’s wife, Donna early this morning indicating he’d had a heart attack. I’m not breaking this news, it’s up on his Facebook page.
This is a quote from Craig's Facebook page from about 10:00 PM last night give or take based on US time zones: "Bill Jones and me With a great Nile Buffalo taken on 3/19/11 just to quell the rumors an hour before this photo was taken I had a serious heart attack I rallied for the photos, we went to town, the Uganda clinic misdiagnosed the problem but I was smart enough to start home early anyway, that was the worst trip I've ever had but I'm in a good hospital with good care although it may take some time I will be fine!"
I don’t want to talk out of turn here, so I’m going to suggest you get your updates from him and his wife via his Facebook page. I just wanted to make sure his friends and fans have the opportunity to keep up with his recovery progress.
I was just notified that Craig's Facebook page isn't fully public which means you need to be his friend to read the updates. Since, Donna is seriously busy right now and dealing with friend requests isn't way up on her list of things to do, I will copy and paste her updates here for you:
Most recent: "So Craig is not actually writing this I am (Donna).... Thank you all for your well wishes. He did tell me what to write though on the last status. He is in ICU and they are taking great care of him @ one of the country's top Cardiac Care Hospitals. He is tough and strong and a (marine)... he will recover fast because that's who he is and how he does things... you can't keep a good man down!"
Mainly I wrote this blog for selfish reasons, I want all of you to pray for this son of a gun, so he heals up quickly and I can work with him again soon. Why? Because I love this guy and his family. They are good people and my family is praying for them today.
Brian,
Thanks. Read the story, sounds like he will be OK but it was serious, like any heart attack I guess. Met Craig a couple of times and he is always friendly even as busy as he is.
Scott
Best wishes to a fast recovery to my outdoor adventuring hero! I've met and chatted with Craig a few times at the DSC shows and have found him to be great guy who always made the time for a story or two. I hope he heals up quickly and gets back to his adventuring old self.
I read the story on another site and I know that all hunters wish him well as he is way to young to go, besides, who else would be able to take us on those adventures he does so well.
Best Wishes to Craig and Donna for a speedy recovery.
.:)
Dear Craig,
I hope you will either read this or one of your family will read this to you. Best wishes for a quick and full recovery. I had the opportunity to meet you for the first time at the SCI Convention this year and it was my distinct pleasure. I spoke to you today about a friend of mine named Jim who shared a hunting camp with you in Mexico a number of years ago with Kirk Kelso. Jim extends his best wishes to you too.
I fully expect to meet you again at the 2012 SCI Convention in Las Vegas. Until then as you signed in my copy of "Tracks", wishing you clear tracks to a full recovery!
Phil
Its heartening to see the type of comments coming from this event. Many of us have met Craig and even if we havent we all know him as we have been reading his work for many years. I know when planning my first trip in 1984 his articles were read over and over again in preparation for my trip. I have most of his books and enjoy watching "Tracks" whenever possible. I have only met him twice but both times were very positive and as I said already I wish him a full and speedy recovery and hope to hear soon that he is well again. Get well soon Craig!
Hope he gets well soon. I sure love his shows.
nd
Craig always seems to be in such great physical shape, I guess this sort of things can happen to anyone at any moment! I'm glad he's doing well, and wish him a complete and speedy recovery.
Dear Craig
Hope you get all these messages and that you will get well soon, We shared the same campfire in Africa and exchange stories until late at night, it feels like yesterday you took that monster Eland from the Koppie what a hunt we had . All the best and hope you recover fully.
Johan
I hope Craig has a speedy recovery and without future complications. It just goes to show that no matter how well you maintain your health that these things can happen to anyone. Best wishes to Craig and his family, you're by far my favorite author and I need someone to live vicariously through with all your adventures.
Craig,
Jim Boyd here from Mesa Arizona. I first met you in Mexico hunting Coues deer with Kirk and you wrote an article about my accura-shot unit for Guns and Ammo. I want to wish you the best for a full and speedy recovery. You are a hero to us all in more ways than one! I know that you will be back out there hunting, shooting and writing for us very soon. Semper Fi. With Best Regards, Jim.
Here is an update from Craig Boddington...
Hi, all! I was released from the hospital yesterday. Feeling better by the day, but this is going to take a while...I don't recommend this safari for anyone! Really appreciate the many kind words from around the world, very humbling. I look forward to getting back to work and, in time, back in the field. Regards to all, Craig
Glad to hear it Craig! We all hope you get well soon and back on the trail! Hope to share a campfire with you someday.
Scott
I have had the pleasure of both knowing him and hunting with him in South Africa. Great, great guy. He's tough so we'll expect him back soon.
Best wishes to Craig and family - our thoughts are with you.
Craig is one of two famous hunters I have always wished to know. The other is long gone; Jack O'Conner. I could only dream of having a chance to hunt with this guy! Semper Fi Craig!
Tom T.
LCDR, USNR (Ret)