**UPDATE June 09: Michael Jackson dead **
Intouch Weekly print edition are running a story that Michael Jackson is so sick, with a rare genetic disease that he might die. For realz, this time, not faking it to get out of some sort of court appearance, jail cell etc.
According to Intouch Michael has the rare genetic disease Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
award-winning investigative journalist Ian Halperin tells In Touch that he believes that the King of Pop is fighting for is life. “Michael has a very severe lung condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency,” Halperin, a New York Times best-selling author, tells In Touch exclusively. “He’s had it for years but it’s gotten worse. He needs a lung transplant but may be too weak to go through with it. He also has emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, which his doctors have had a lot of trouble stopping. It’s the bleeding that is the most problematic part. It could kill him.”
Because this genetic disease is so rare – Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency affects just 1 in 5,000 Americans – it’s been difficult to treat, says Halperin. “For years, Michael has been working with his own doctors to make sure his condition doesn’t progress. He has been on many medications that have stabilized him.” But as the disease has progressed, Halperin says that the pop star’s quality of life has diminished. “He can barely speak,” says Halperin. “Also, the vision in his left eye is 95 percent gone.”
Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson confirmed to Foxnews that Michael was desperately ill saying. “He’s not doing so well right now. This isn’t a good time.”
I guess that puts paid to the much talked about Jackson Five tour.
See here for more information on the disease .
I can see the celebrity fundraising specials now, although it does explain a bit.
