Terry Dubrow, the star of the reality show Botched, had a terrifying medical emergency last week while having dinner with his wife Heather Dubrow and their son Nicholas at the Ivy, a famous restaurant in Beverly Hills. The plastic surgeon suddenly started slurring his speech, which alarmed his wife, who is also a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Heather quickly told their son to call 911, but Terry was reluctant to go to the hospital, as he felt fine after a minute. He even got out of the ambulance that arrived at the scene and ordered an Uber to take him home.
A life-saving diagnosis at the hospital
However, Heather was not convinced that her husband was okay. She contacted some of his doctor friends, who urged him to get checked out at the hospital. Terry finally agreed to do so, and it turned out to be a wise decision. He was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is also known as a mini-stroke. A TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, which can cause stroke-like symptoms such as slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or vision problems. A TIA can also be a warning sign of a more serious stroke in the future.
To make matters worse, Terry also had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is a hole in the heart that did not close properly after birth. This condition can allow blood clots to travel from the heart to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Terry had to undergo a procedure to close the hole in his heart and prevent further complications.
A grateful husband and father
Terry is now recovering well from his ordeal, and he credits his wife for saving his life. He told E! News that he learned some important lessons from his experience. He said that he should have listened to his wife and not argued with her when she noticed something was wrong. He also said that he should have moved more frequently during his recent travels, as sitting for long periods can increase the risk of blood clots. He advised anyone who has stroke-like symptoms or who has a partner who does to seek medical attention immediately, as time is critical.
Terry also expressed his gratitude for his wife and family. He said that he loves his wife and thanked her for her persistence and insistence. He said that she truly saved his life and that he is lucky to have her by his side.