Billy Porter is lucky to be alive today. The Broadway star known for musicals like Kinky Boots is opening up about a harrowing medical episode he had and how he managed to survive.
The Tony Award winner went in for what he thought was just a routine checkup at the doctor, and it’s probably a good thing he did. He says that his doctor noticed what appeared to be an infection, which needed treatment last September. “I was dead for three days. I am a miracle,” said Billy.
Billy Porter was left on life support due to urosepsis
If you need a good reason to get regular checkups, Billy’s story should suffice. On the podcast Outlaws with TS Madison earlier this month, Billy explained what his doctor found when he saw him in September. He says, “There was so much puss, and bile, and infection behind the (kidney) stone.” According to Billy, that bubbled up before going uroseptic within minutes, leading him to a dangerous urinary tract infection.
The Cleveland Clinic claims that urosepsis starts in the urinary tract and can go to the kidneys if not treated. They say it can be potentially fatal. Billy’s infection was so bad that they put him on a life support machine known as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine. While in a coma, he was cut open on both sides of his leg and from his knee to his hip. He says they left that open for two days to save his leg.
Because of his condition, Billy’s Cabaret show closed early in order for him to get his life-saving treatment. For him, this surgery was a warning to work smarter, not harder, going forward. He adds that he’s so thankful for all the prayers and support during that time. Billy will be returning to the stage in June, starring as Albin in the musical La Cage aux Folles.
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