Jim Ross is finally home after spending nearly 40 days in the hospital, but his health fight is far from over. The legendary announcer has now revealed that he is preparing for brain surgery after doctors discovered fluid pressing on his brain.
While speaking on Grilling JR, Ross said he is feeling a little better every day, but he still has a long way to go. He cannot drive yet, has been cutting back on public appearances, and is now getting ready for a procedure unlike anything he has faced before. Then JR dropped the part nobody wanted to hear.
“I feel pretty good. I think I’m getting better every day, but still got a ways to go. I can’t drive yet, all that stuff. I’m cutting back on my appearances. I got one big one coming up in Minneapolis in a few weeks. But I’m just battling. I’m battling. I’m getting ready to have another surgery—brain surgery this time. And that’s going to be an adventure because I don’t think they’re going to find much in my brain.”
That joke was classic Jim Ross, but the situation is very real. Ross explained that doctors found fluid pressing on his brain after he passed out at home and was later discovered there. That frightening collapse kicked off an almost 40-day hospital stay and left him struggling with his memory and normal daily life.
“I couldn’t live my life the way it was. I forget shit and just couldn’t remember things. It was just horrible. I felt horrible. But that all started with me passing out in my house and being discovered there, which began an almost 40-day hospital stay. And let me tell you, that’s a long-ass time.”
Ross did not exactly have fond memories of being stuck there either. Now doctors want to implant a shunt to drain the excess fluid and hopefully help Ross regain some of the memory and function he has lost.
“Those beds are small and lumpy, and the food is predictable, and sometimes the help doesn’t give a shit if you’re fit or not. I just didn’t like it. This procedure that I’m getting ready to have done, I think it’s called a shunt. It’ll go from my brain. I don’t know where all it’s going to go, but it’s going someplace to get that fluid off my brain that’s making me not remember stuff.”
Ross said his cardiologist has already cleared him for the operation, and he expects it to happen soon. A final date had not been set when the show was recorded, but JR was hoping to get it done within the next week or so.
“I’ll be in the hospital for a few days. Hopefully nothing will go wrong. I got a great surgeon. As a matter of fact, I went to a cardiologist today—a heart doctor, obviously—and talked to him about this upcoming procedure. He had to approve it or they wouldn’t do it. So he did, and they’re going to do it soon. I just haven’t confirmed a date yet, but it’s going to be in the next week or so, I’m pushing for. So, hey, look, it’s just an illness and I got to get it addressed.”
JR is not pretending he is completely calm about doctors opening his skull. He admitted the whole thing is scary, especially after a lifetime of dealing with injuries that never involved his brain.
“It’s fairly serious. I always thought that anytime they open your skull up, it’s a serious piece of business, and this certainly feels that way. It’s all new territory for me. You know, I’ve had bad backs and knees and elbows and joints, certainly, but man, this is a whole new ball game, and it’s a little scary, to be honest with you.”
Still, Ross made it clear he does not see this as a choice. If he wants his life back, the procedure has to happen. His plan is simple: get through the surgery, spend a few more days in the hospital, then go home and start healing again.
“I’ve got to do this procedure. It’s not optional if I want to get better, and I want to get better for sure. So I’ll get it done, have a short hospital stay, and then back home and heal up. So, that’s my option. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to heal up.”
Getting home was a major win, but now JR has another serious hurdle directly in front of him. Through all of it, he said the support from fans has helped more than they probably realize. Ross is also refusing to let fear completely take over. He still wants to recover, get back in front of wrestling fans, and make more appearances once his body allows it.
“I appreciate it very much, and I can feel that support. It’s very much appreciated, I can tell you. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get better and to get back out there and make some more shows like the one in Minneapolis. Life is good. Life is good. It can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean you quit or stop running the race. You just slow down a little bit.”
Jim Ross has spent his entire career calling fighters who refused to stay down. Now he is facing one of the biggest fights of his own life, and Good Ol’ JR is making it clear that he has no intention of quitting.
Please keep Jim Ross in your thoughts as he prepares for brain surgery and continues his recovery.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
