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- Bobby Rydell Talks About
- "The Night I Almost Died!
In the dark
hours he lay in bed with his eyes wide open. He was in great pain, but he couldn't move --
and he couldn't call for help...
- It was almost two o'clock in the morning when Bobby Rydell opened his
eyes and glanced at the alarm clock next to his bed. Gee, he thought, I feel
strange. What could be wrong with me? As he tried to lift his head from the pillow, a
sharp pain seared across his forehead. It made him feel faint and dizzy. Bobby had never
had such a sensation before. It must be just a headache, he thought. But with
such pain?
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- All kinds of ideas began drifting through Bobby's mind as he lay there
in the dark. Was he nervous because head was leaving for a tour of South America tomorrow?
Or was it the tension from last night's recording session? No, things like this had never
bothered him before. Surely, another trip wouldn't upset him so, and as far as he knew,
last night's record date came off great. There was a strange weird feeling inside his
head. He felt like he was "under water." He just couldn't figure it out.
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- Seconds, minutes -- soon hours passed as Bobby lay in his bed. He had a
terrible fear that he could not get up. The hours seemed like an eternity. The only
thought in Bobby's mind was, "When will morning come?" He could have easily
called for his parents, but he didn't want to worry them in the middle of the night.
- Once more Bobby turned his head toward the clock. It was six A.M.
Suddenly, tears began to flow from his eyes. He felt an excruciating pain go down his
back. Now it was time to call for help. But as Bobby tried to speak, no sound came. His
heart began to throb faster and faster as he realized that something was really wrong.
He broke out in a cold sweat and felt a slight panic. He couldn't move to go for help
and how could he call for help when he had no voice? Now all Bobby could do was be
patient and wait. After what seemed like endless hours, his mother suddenly appeared at
his bedside. After one look at her son, she called the family doctor.
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- When Dr. Giuffre arrived, he found Bobby in great pain and unable to
talk -- and running a very high fever. After checking Bobby carefully, he declared
that Bobby was suffering from an acute sinus infection affecting the trachea and phalanx.
He prescribed medication and then ordered Bobby to stay in bed for a minimum of ten days.
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- When Bobby heard this, he almost bounded out of bed in spite of his
agonizing pain. He fell back on the pillow with what seemed, to his tortured head, a
resounding crash. Once again tears welled up in his eyes.
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- The doctor leaned down and looked into Bobby's eyes with great
understanding. He said, "I know what you're going through, Bobby. I also know that
you must do what I say -- or things could get much more serious."
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- Bobby closed his eyes and tried to nod, "Yes." Dr. Giuffre
then drew Bobby's mother aside. Though it sounded like ocean waves were breaking against
his brain, Bobby could still overhear what the doctor was saying to his mother: "If
he doesn't stay here and follow orders, it could not only mean the end of his career -- it
could mean the end of him!"
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- "Lord," Bobby thought, "I was right. I felt like I was
going to die last night and..." His thoughts faded and he began to quietly pray as he
drifted off again.
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- When Bobby woke up, his manager and friend, Frankie Day, was leaning
over him. Bobby blinked and muttered, "Did we have to cancel South America? I'm
sorry."
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- Frankie smiled and said, "There's a first time for everything,
Bobby -- and it's a part of show business. It's an experience!"
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- Frankie told him that reporters had gotten wind of his illness and were
calling and arriving at the house. He assured Bobby that everything was taken care of, but
Bobby still couldn't help feeling miserable at having to make the very first cancellation
of his professional career.
- As the days went slowly by, Bobby began to improve. He got less dizzy,
his throat stopped aching and throbbing, and the pain in his head diminished. Soon, he was
sitting up and demanding more food. At the end of a week, the doctor told Bobby that he
was well on the road to recovery. It was then that Bobby dropped his bomb on Dr. Giuffre.
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- "Doctor," he said solemnly, "I have done everything you
said. I feel fine and my voice is perfect. I simply must finish the last half of that
South American tour."
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- "Impossible," was the reply.
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- "I'm going to do it," Bobby said softly.
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- Dr. Giuffre took one look at his patient and know that Bobby meant what
he was saying. "I'll let you know about that myself," he said brusquely.
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- Outside the room, the doctor held a conference with Frankie Day and
Bobby's folks. After a long discussion, he returned to Bobby.
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- "O.K., tough guy," Dr. Guiffre said, smiling. "You win.
But you're going to have the pleasure of my company on your trip. And I'll be the
boss!"
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- "Fine," Bobby beamed. "Let's get started."
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- The rest of the tour was re-booked and the world seemed to wake up again
for Bobby Rydell. As his plane descended for a landing at his first South American stop,
he turned to his new traveling companion and said, "This is a tour I'll never forget
-- for I might not have made it -- or any others -- without your help."
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- The doctor smiled and nodded slowly as the plane landed.
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