Whoopi Goldberg Was "Close To Leaving The Earth" While Battling Pneumonia

Celebrity | Television

Whoopi Goldberg Was "Close To Leaving The Earth" While Battling Pneumonia

The View - YouTube

For more than a month, fans of The View have been asking, "Where's Whoopi?"

While it was revealed the Sister Act star was battling pneumonia, viewers became concerned after weeks without a health update from the talk show host.

Finally, Goldberg, 63, returned to the show in a video message on Friday, and told the audience she nearly died from her condition.

"Hey, yes, it's me," she said. "I am here. I am up and moving around "” not as fast as I'd like to be, but I am okay. I'm not dead."

Goldberg revealed she "came very close to leaving the earth" when both her lungs were stricken with pneumonia and the disease turned septic.

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames a patient's lungs, causing pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Sepsis is a dangerous response to an infection by the body's immune system, which can damage organs and sharply lower blood pressure.

"Good news, I didn't. Thank you for all of your good wishes, all of the wonderful things that people have been saying. Even people who aren't huge fans of mine have actually been saying nice thing about me."

Goldberg also assured her co-hosts that she "cannot wait to see y'all," even though she could probably use a break from the stress of Hot Topics.

"This has been interesting and I'll tell you about it when we're all at the table. To everybody, see you soon."

Goldberg was last seen on the show February 6, and her fellow hosts addressed her absence on February 20, revealing her pneumonia diagnosis.

Before Goldberg resurfaced, some fans were actually convinced she was preparing to host the Academy Awards in secret.

"She's not even well enough to host this show right now," Joy Behar quipped, "let alone the Oscars."

It takes weeks for most patients to recover from pneumonia, so while Goldberg is on the mend don't count on her to get back to work any time soon.

[H/T: People]

Get well soon Whoopi, we can't wait to see you back on the show!

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