Anderson Cooper missed his CNN show last Monday, December 1, 2014 which caused many viewers to wonder where he is. Apparently, the 47-year old anchor had an emergency appendectomy Sunday night, November 30. He is due to come back on December 2 for his regular show.
According to his Twitter account, "I'll be back on air tomorrow. Had an appendicitis and had to have sudden surgery last night." He missed his show last Monday and CNN anchor John Berman filled in at the desk for Cooper, but gave no explanation for the absence.
A representative for CNN told 'The New York Post's Page Six' that Cooper felt ill last week when he was covering Ferguson protests in Missouri. The anchor apparently thought he had food poisoning but when he returned to New York last Sunday, his doctor said it is more than just that, it is more serious.
Appendicitis is a common condition but can be life-threatening if not immediately treated. It is characterized by the inflammation of the appendix that can cause extreme stomach pain accompanied by fever, if infection is present. After appendectomy, the expected recovery time is relatively short. However, for the anchor who had worse scenarios in his career, a minor surgery would be nothing for him.
Appendicitis can be accompanied by symptoms like vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and fever. That is why it can mimic the symptoms of food poisoning. The only resort for this condition is to surgically remove the appendix through appendectomy.
The representative said, "He went from the airport to the doctor's office and, after a quick exam, his doctor told Anderson that he needed to go to the ER right away."
Cooper told Page Six, "I am very thankful for the efforts of my doctor and the doctors and nurses at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center."
