Everyone got here to love Big John on 'Rock of Love,' however after the show he had health problems. Due to substance abuse, he developed a center situation.
By Alex WestDec. 1 2023, Published 8:27 a.m. ET
The Gist:
- Big John was recognized with a well being situation.
- He won a center transplant in 2023.
- He still works for Bret Michaels.
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During Rock of Love, Big John, sometimes called John Murray, used to be proper through Bret Michael's side as the artist's assistant and security element. However, in line with his Instagram, Big John also is helping out with the band Poison as a whole and Kid Rock. He boasts about having "several artists" below his clientele roster. Plus, he has even "been a member of Pro Wrestling since '97."
As Bret's proper hand guy and an enchanting person on the relationship display, Rock of Love fans temporarily turned into attached. Years after the show went off the air, fans cannot help but wonder what came about to Big John.
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Where is Big John from 'Rock of Love' now?
In early 2023, Big John published on social media that he used to be struggling with dilated cardiomyopathy. In a heartbreaking Facebook video, he described the situation and the have an effect on it had on his life. Big John explained that the condition intended there was an expansion in his center, which brought about headaches.
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According to Big John, his heart was best wing at 10 % capability and as of March 2023, he had a minimum of 5 heart attacks. Big John attributed the situation to alcohol and drug abuse over the years. He admitted to the usage of the substances to "self-medicate" due to PTSD which he up to now didn't believe in.
"Well, when my dad died in 2009, a lot of things, for whatever reason, my mind blocked out and forgot about, came back. I mean they came back like a tidal wave, which is one of the reasons I started drinking so much. It was perfect timing with the TV show and everything. The drinking and drugs went out of control," he said. "There were two reasons. One was the notoriety from the show, and two was because I was trying to forget things. It was the only way I could go to sleep."
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While Big John did not give an exact period of time for how lengthy he may just live with the situation, he said that obtaining a center transplant was once the only surefire means to ensure the condition did not result in his dying. However, he did use a scientific tool for a while to assist alleviate some of the indications.
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In 2018, Big John began the usage of Abbott's CardioMEMS HF System before including in their HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device in 2021, consistent with a weblog post from the company.
“These shaped the bridge to the day I were given my center transplant,” he said in a testimonial for the company. “Even even though my LVAD used to be ultimately removed, CardioMEMS has stayed with me. It’s continuing to give me time back in my existence — it gave me a 2d chance at existence. And I’m no longer going to waste it.”
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Big John was introduced a heart transplant after receiving a call from an unknown number. “I'm sick. I’m trying to pass to bed. My telephone starts ringing, and I ask who it is, and he or she says, ‘Tiffany,’” he informed Abbott. “And I don’t know any Tiffany.”
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“‘Do you wish to have a middle, John?’" he recalled the voice on the other end asking. Of course, he took up the offer, but by the time he got to the hospital and prepped for surgery, the doctor paused the procedure. There was an issue with the donor heart.
When they brought him back to consciousness, the medical team searched for a new heart that could work. On March 17, 2023, Big John went through a successful surgery and now has a new heart.
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“After the transplant, I wasn’t perfect,” Big John said. “I got pneumonia. I broke my leg. I still deal with the psychological stress. But every day, I say thank you to my donor angel who gave me this heart and a new lease on life, because I want to show that I was worthy of it.”
As for his current status, Big John still lists his job as a personal assistant for Bret on Facebook. According to his profile, he currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Despite working on a dating show with Bret, Big John lists his relationship status as single.
"One of the luckiest people on this World. Thank God for organ donors and middle transplant options," he wrote in his profile bio.
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