A new documentary reveals the serious health struggles faced by comedian Chevy Chase, who spent approximately eight days in a coma following heart failure during the pandemic. The film, titled “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” premiered on January 1, 2024, on CNN and provides an in-depth look at Chase’s health challenges and recovery.
Chase, now 82 years old, was hospitalized for five weeks due to undisclosed heart issues, as reported in 2021. His daughter, Caley Chase, shared in the documentary, “He has basically come back from the dead. He had heart failure.” The family faced a daunting situation when Chase’s heart stopped during a visit to the emergency room.
His wife, Jayni Chase, recalled the harrowing experience, stating, “Something was wrong, and he couldn’t explain to me what was wrong. So, we go to the ER. His heart stops.” She indicated that Chase had developed cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscles, preventing them from pumping blood effectively.
Coma and Recovery Journey
According to Chase’s longtime friend, Peter Aaron, medical professionals decided to induce a coma for about eight days to aid his recovery. He explained, “That’s pretty rough on the body.” The family received a stark warning from doctors: “We might not get him back. We don’t know how present he’ll be. Prepare yourselves for the worst.”
When Chase eventually awoke, he struggled to regain his cognitive abilities. Caley imitated the disoriented sounds he made as he began to communicate again. She noted a specific moment that indicated he was still the same person she knew when a nurse entered the room and Chase responded with a classic line: “That’s what she said.”
Aaron mentioned that it took time for Chase to “reorient himself” after the coma. He experienced some cognitive challenges and engaged in activities like playing cards and chess to aid his mental recovery. Reflecting on his condition in a statement from 2021, Chase expressed gratitude, saying, “I can only say how happy I am to now be back with my family. I’m feeling good. A heart issue. So, for now, I’m around the house. Not going anywhere.”
Memories and Reflections
The documentary also touches on how Chase’s heart failure affected his memory. He acknowledged that doctors informed him his memory would be impacted by the incident. “Heart failure is what it is. I’m fine now,” he said, adding, “It’s just that it affects your memory, the doctors have told me that. So, I have to be reminded of things.”
Chase’s reflections extended to his feelings about being excluded from the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special, which he described as “kind of upsetting.” He noted that he expected to share the stage with other cast members, expressing his disappointment at not being included. “Somebody’s made a bad mistake there. I don’t know who it was, but somebody made a mistake. They should’ve had me on that stage. It hurt.”
The documentary paints a comprehensive picture of Chase’s health crisis and offers insights into his recovery journey, personal reflections, and the impact of his experiences on his life and career. As he continues to navigate the challenges of health and memory, Chase’s story serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and the importance of support from loved ones.