Stressing that her husband's will is strong even if his body is not, Valerie also reveals that she refused to follow doctors' advice in removing him from life support.
- May 16, 2023
AceShowbiz - Billy Graham, whose real name is Eldrige Wayne Coleman, is in need of "urgent prayers." The WWE hall of famer has been in and out of hospital for months over "a myriad of very serious health issues," and now his wife, Valerie, offered fans a worrying update on his condition.
On Monday, May 15, Valerie turned to Billy's Facebook page to ask for prayer for her wrestling legend husband. "From Billy's wife Valerie: Please urgent prayers needed for my husband. The doctors wanted to remove him from life support tonight, I refused," she wrote.
"He's a fighter and his will is strong even if his body isn't. God is our hope," Valerie went on to stress. Along with the news, she shared a GoFundMe link for those who want to help with his recovery fund.
A description on the fundraiser site uncovered that Billy's ailments include "a major infection in his ears and skull that may take six months of intravenous IVs, congestive heart failure, diabetes," and hearing loss.
On April 26, the page's organizer offered an update on Billy's condition. "The Osteomyelitis infection in his ears, skull and sinus cavity remains his greatest challenge. He's on strong IV antibiotics 3 times a day to treat this and the infectious disease doctor says he will need to be on them for at least 3 more months," the statement read.
"As a result of this infection, he is currently completely deaf," it continued. "He has intermittently also suffered with kidney issues, and been on dialysis. This in addition to Billy having heart and lung concerns, sores from being in bed for 4 months and depression."
Aside from his health, Billy's family financial condition was also described on the fundraiser site. Revealing that insurance only covers part of his treatment, the statement further read, "His rehab copay care is costing $200 a day, out of pocket. Unfortunately, both Wayne, and his wife Valerie, contracted Covid 2 months ago."
"And unfortunately In Valerie's case she continues to struggle with what is now Long Covid. And as a result she has had to extend her LOA, consequently this has left them with absolutely no income," the statement continued. As of May 15, the fund raised has reached over $16,500 of its $50,000 goal.
