Shane MacGowan's wife inundated with support amid health update as he remains in hospital
The Pogues star Shane MacGowan's wife has today lifted the lid on the poorly singer's health status in a new update as he remains in hospital.
Shane MacGowan is feeling "much better" according to his wife and she is hopeful he'll be returning home for Christmas.
It comes after a spell of several months in intensive care as he battles viral encephalitis (swelling on the brain).
His wife Victoria broke the news on Twitter (X) shortly after posing a photo of her husband hooked up to breathing apparatus, but managing to raise a smile.
She wrote: "Shane is feeling much better today! I am so grateful to everyone who is willing him to get home for the Christmas!"
Just three days ago, the 65-year-old's former bandmates Spider Stacy and Terry Woods rallied around him during a hospital visit, and are believed to still be close to the iconic frontman.
Spider had previously played the tin whistle in the group, while Terry had played the guitar and mandolin - and, according to Victoria, the blast from the past was appreciated.
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"I just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who has been messaging me and @ShaneMacGowan and thank you @spiderstacy and Terry Woods for coming to visit him," she wrote.
"Love and prayers for everyone who is struggling right now. Hang in there!"
Poorly Shane has suffered a number of health complications and is believed to have been admitted to hospital in July.
According to the NHS website, encephalitis is "an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed" and it can prove life-threatening.
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It typically begins with flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature and headache, but then progresses to "seizures or fits", "confusion or disorientation", "difficulty speaking" and "weakness or loss of movement" in some parts of the body.
It can also lead to a loss of consciousness and urgent hospital treatment is usually required for those who have the virus.
Poorly Shane suffered another medical mishap back in 2015 after breaking his pelvis during a dancing session.
He has been confined to a wheelchair due to that fall, while prior to that he had broken his right knee and torn vital ligaments in the left one.
Victoria previously took to Instagram to reveal her fears about her husband's condition, telling the world: "Sometimes, when you love very deeply, you will find yourself facing terrifying fears of loss that can feel so big and devastating that you don't know how you can survive them.
"You can't imagine life without this person you love."
However, her latest post has raised fans' hopes that the star may recover sufficiently to be able to come home for Christmas, after a five-month long hospital stay.
