‘I had more stones than a hill at Gretna’: Sick MP thought he was dying
A blocked bile duct left Tasmanian politician Craig Farrell in such pain he thought he was “going to be the first president to die in office”. LATEST ON HIS RECOVERY >>
Tasmania
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UPDATE: Monday, June 28
Legislative Council and Labor member for Derwent Craig Farrell expects to leave hospital today after surgery overnight to remedy a blocked bile duct.
Mr Farrell collapsed was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital on Thursday after becoming unwell during parliament.
‘I had more stones than a hill at Gretna’
CRAIG Farrell thought he was going to die when he became unwell in state parliament last week.
The re-elected president of the Legislative Council and Labor member for Derwent said he had felt nauseous before parliament began on Thursday morning.
“I managed to open the sitting but was very relieved when the leader of the government asked for it be suspended for a briefing,” Mr Farrell said from the Royal Hobart Hospital on Sunday.
“Bastian (Labor Huon MLC Dr Seidel) and Ruth (Forrest MLC) saw that I looked unwell and checked me over and called an ambulance.
“I said I’d prefer to just walk down to the hospital later but then I thought I was having a massive heart attack, the pain was awful in my chest.
“I thought ‘this is it – I’m going to be the first president to die in office’.”
Craig Farrell taken to hospital after falling ill in state parliament
Mr Farrell was diagnosed with a blockage in his bile duct, which was affecting his pancreas and liver.
“I had more stones than a hill at Gretna but I’m up and walking now and feeling better,” he said.
During his time in hospital he caught up with constituent “local legend and all round great person” Josh Walsh, who was in hospital for knee surgery.
“I saw Josh’s post on Facebook and recognised the decor and found him when I was on my way to shower,” Mr Farrell said.
“As my sporting ability is nowhere near Josh’s it’s probably the only time we will be in the same uniform.”
Mr Farrell is expected to have surgery to remove his gall bladder on Monday.
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