A retired Christian professional wrestler who goes by the stage name of "Superstar" Billy Graham has announced that he is being hospitalized for a serious illness.
"Superstar," whose real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman, is "in the fight of his life," his Facebook page said.
"Between the hospital and the rehab facilities, he has been away from home for three months now. Very heart-wrenching to hear what they are going through," the page said.
Coleman is 79 and wrestled with the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) in the 1970s. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
Graham's wife, Valerie, said in a statement that the situation was "horribly difficult."
"Wayne is struggling and still not home," she said, according to The Christian Post.
"I just had a call from the nursing facility, and Wayne has refused all of his meds today. ... he's dealing with a lot of confusion and depression," she added.
"He's still 100% deaf and has now lost 65 pounds. ... It's breaking my heart not being able to see him. This Friday will be 12 weeks since he's been home."
Valerie thanked his fans for their "constant prayers."
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Graham to help cover his medical expenses. As of Friday, the page had raised about $9,500.
"He is dealing with a myriad of very serious health issues: a major infection in his ears and skull that may take six months of intravenous IVs, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hearing loss as a result of the infection, and the list goes on," the page said.
"He is facing a long period of rehab, and his insurance will only pay a portion of this. He is facing at least two months in a skilled nursing facility, once he is stabilized and released from the Mayo hospital."
Photo courtsey: ©Getty Images/Sudok1
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
