Former reality television personality Jon Gosselin has shared harrowing details of a recent health emergency that could have ended his life just weeks before his wedding day. The 48-year-old star of Jon & Kate Plus 8 described the terrifying ordeal in an interview, revealing how a routine pain escalated into a life-threatening condition.
A Terrifying Health Emergency
Gosselin was preparing to marry his fiancée Stephanie Lebo when he first noticed what he described as a "grueling pain" in his leg. Within twenty-four hours, the discomfort had migrated to his upper shoulder, and the following night he awoke after midnight experiencing a severe coughing fit. "I was like, 'Something is wrong,'" he recalled. "I coughed up what looked like silly putty – it was a blood clot."
In what he later realised was a dangerous decision, Gosselin drove himself to hospital rather than waking anyone for assistance. "If you have deep-vein thrombosis you could die at the wheel," he acknowledged, describing this as "the biggest no-no" given his medical situation.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Following an MRI scan at the hospital, doctors diagnosed Gosselin with two bilateral pulmonary embolisms – serious blood clots in his lungs that can prove fatal. He subsequently underwent an ultrasound examination as part of his diagnostic process. The health scare understandably alarmed his family, with Gosselin noting that "Stephanie was scared to death" and his children Hannah and Collin, both 21, "freaked out" when they learned about his condition.
Thankfully, medical intervention proved successful. Gosselin now manages his condition with a combination of medications including heart medication, blood pressure treatment, aspirin, and Eliquis – a specialised drug designed to prevent blood clots. "But I definitely could have died," he emphasised. "If I had just stayed home that night, I could have had a real pulmonary embolism and just died."
The $20,000 Hospital Bill Controversy
Despite his recovery, Gosselin faced another challenge in the form of a substantial $20,000 hospital bill. He expressed particular concern about what he perceived as unnecessary testing during his treatment. "It was a nonprofit hospital, so they get paid anyway and they billed me for the whole procedure," he explained.
Gosselin questioned the logic behind his diagnostic process: "Like I got an MRI, right? They scanned my whole body for blood clots. But then they sent me for an ultrasound. Well, you already scanned my whole body, so you know where it is and you told me where it is. So now you're gonna give me an ultrasound? You're double billing me!"
Navigating Healthcare Complexity
Puzzled by the expensive charges, Gosselin sought assistance from healthcare strategist Rachel Strauss, who specialises in helping clients navigate America's complex and costly healthcare system. Strauss meticulously examined his itemised bill, breaking down the various procedure codes and charges.
"She literally went through my itemized bill, because I only saw the general bill of the actual procedures," Gosselin explained. "But if you get the itemized bill and you have the dropdown codes for every procedure that's done, they have all the healthcare coding under each big procedure. It's all broken down."
He continued: "And then she could explain what that code was and then she could ask me, like, 'Did you have this done?' I'm like, 'No.' Or, 'I don't know.' Because nothing was really explained to me. You shouldn't need a graduate degree to be able to read your health insurance and payments these days, which is why everyone's in trouble."
Wedding and Family Dynamics
Several weeks after his health scare, Gosselin married Stephanie Lebo at The Barn at Silverstone in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in a ceremony attended by 180 guests. Notably, only two of his eight children with ex-wife Kate Gosselin – Hannah and Collin – attended the wedding, with Collin serving as a groomsman.
The absence of his other six children – Madelyn, Cara, Aaden, Leah, Alexis and Joel – highlighted ongoing family estrangement issues. Gosselin and his ex-wife Kate became household names in the late 2000s through their popular TLC series Jon & Kate Plus 8, which documented their lives with twins and sextuplets.
Continuing Advocacy and Reflection
Gosselin and Strauss recently reunited at the Sundance Film Festival, where Gosselin DJ'd a party celebrating the screening of Strauss' documentary Side Effects May Include. Reflecting on his experience, Gosselin praised Strauss's work: "She helped me personally and opened my eyes to just how broken our healthcare system can be. She is truly someone making a real difference and if you get an opportunity to see her film 'Side Effects May Include' it will open your eyes as well."
The former reality star, who has successfully transitioned to a career as a DJ with multiple appearances at Sundance, now finds himself advocating for greater transparency in healthcare billing while managing his ongoing medical needs. His experience serves as a stark reminder of both the fragility of health and the complexities of navigating modern medical systems.
