Open Letter
By Michelle McCool
Written: March 6, 2007

Hey guys!!!

This letter is long overdue, so let me start by apologizing for just now truly expressing my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you during my recent illness! The love, support, cards, etc. were way more than I could ever have imagined.

I don't even know exactly where to begin. Long story short, while traveling overseas in November, I became pretty sick. Let me explain something. Many great things come from being a "McCool." However, one not so admirable trait (at times) that we ALL (though some of my family try to deny it) have is S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N-E-S-S!!!

With that being said, my back really started hurting me seven days into the tour. Kristal and I had a match that night in Dublin, and I knew it wasn't your typical "my back is sore" type pain. It was literally getting worse by the minute, to the point where I could barely stand up. I was in so much pain that I couldn't eat, and from what I've been told (since I don't remember much from this point on), I could barely speak. All I did was moan and tell everyone (including Dr. Rios, who was a lifesaver) I was fine. Needless to say, I'll probably never get away with that one again. I tried my best to pretend I was fine when I was around everyone, and would go to bed in tears!

Apparently I got worse and worse as the last three days of the tour went by. One night I was apparently so dehydrated, Dr. Rios hooked me up to an IV. Thank the good Lord that he was with me — along with several WWE Superstars — who took such good care of me. I can never truly repay them.

When you hear people say "We are like a family," you probably think "Whatever, everyone says that." Let me tell you, I truly love these people with all of my heart, and can't say enough wonderful things about them. From trying to feed me, carrying my luggage, covering me up to keep me warm, getting juice for me while on the buses, having someone meet me in Atlanta to help get me through the terminal (I have absolutely no idea how I even got home, and don't remember one moment of it. I still can't believe that somehow I went through the motions), calling my room to check on me, to sending flowers while I was in the hospital, and calling with get well wishes and cards, the list goes on!

These are amazing people who I am lucky to call my friends. I am so undeserving of the treatment I got from each one of these very special people.

Now, this part isn't funny to my close family and friends who were with me in the hospital, because they were just scared to death wondering if I was going to make it. But, hey, they have to admit I am pretty stinking funny when I hallucinate!

For the first six to seven days of my 14-day stint in the hospital, I was completely out of it, hallucinating from the combination of my low sodium and medication.

Just to give you an idea of what I thought was going on, everyone was hearing what I was saying, with absolutely no idea what was going on in my head. Here are a few things that went down.

1. Sharmell and Torrie were in my room the whole time, but they just wouldn't talk to me when I would call for them???
2. Matt Hardy's whole head was in my bathroom mirror.
3. Gregory Helms' face was sticking out of my air vent the entire time.
4. Ashley was in the room above me pouring water down on my face. (She was the only one being mean to me!)
5. Undertaker was guarding my door.
6. King Booker was doing spinaroonies for no apparent reason. (Imagine that!)
7. Chavo was leading the fights outside my hospital room; he was protecting me of course when people were talking bad about me.
8. JBL was walking through the halls yelling "Awwwwwww Hell!!!!"
9. John Cena was fist fighting with my cousin Lee, because he thought Lee was talking bad about me. But, they ended up hugging and making up. (I'm telling you it was crazy!)
10. Each day I tried to have my dad call Fit and tell him I could work, because I apparently still thought I was on tour.

And the list goes on!

This should clearly tell you how much these people mean to me! They were literally all I thought about, even when I clearly wasn't thinking straight, or thinking at all. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM!

So to each of my colleagues, my bosses, my family, my friends and my fans — all of you were there for me when I didn't even know what was happening to me. I can't tell you how much that means to me.

My advice is this: you never know when might be your last day. You have a choice each morning: You can be in a good mood or a bad mood. Count your blessings, cherish your loved ones and remember to smile! I love you all, and can't wait to get back in the ring and make each and every one of you prouder than ever!

Xoxo,

Michelle McCool