Friends -
I have been struggling with whether or not to comment about our friend and bandmate Bernie's condition as it is first and foremost a matter for him and his family. However, the news has gotten out, and we have had many expressions of concern and support, so I wanted to acknowledge them. And it's therefore time at this point to talk a bit about our friend, while keeping details at the appropriate level.
As I understand it, Bernie felt nauseous on Saturday, which as it turns out is a warning sign for an aneurism, but who would have known? He slept that evening and through the next day when some friends found him and were unable to wake him. They noticed blood, called an ambulance, and had him brought to a hospital, where surgery was performed. Surgery went well but he remains in very serious condition at this time (that is not a hospital's designation -- that is meant literally: it is very serious). Out of respect for Bernie and his family, this is as much information as I am comfortable sharing.
Bernie is young and in otherwise good health, and those are favorable factors for recovery. I do not have details on the severity of Bernie's condition upon arrival, which is the other factor. Evidently an aneurism is not something that needs to be attended to within half an hour of happening; surgery is typically performed within 24 hours, so it is certainly possible that everything will be fine.
As any fan of Redemption, Agent Steel, Engine or Bernie's other projects knows, he is immensely talented. Those of us who know him can also attest that he is incredibly kind, gentle, humble, funny, giving and a dozen other adjectives. He has two beautiful children and a long-time girlfriend who need him. He has a lot of music left in him. He's also a fighter.
I would ask that those of you who consider yourselves religious, keep Bernie and his family in your prayers, and for those of you who are not religious, send positive thoughts. My hope is that I will be able to update you very soon and let you know that Bernie is recovering and doing well.
Thanks for you concerns.
Nick van Dyk
I have been struggling with whether or not to comment about our friend and bandmate Bernie's condition as it is first and foremost a matter for him and his family. However, the news has gotten out, and we have had many expressions of concern and support, so I wanted to acknowledge them. And it's therefore time at this point to talk a bit about our friend, while keeping details at the appropriate level.
As I understand it, Bernie felt nauseous on Saturday, which as it turns out is a warning sign for an aneurism, but who would have known? He slept that evening and through the next day when some friends found him and were unable to wake him. They noticed blood, called an ambulance, and had him brought to a hospital, where surgery was performed. Surgery went well but he remains in very serious condition at this time (that is not a hospital's designation -- that is meant literally: it is very serious). Out of respect for Bernie and his family, this is as much information as I am comfortable sharing.
Bernie is young and in otherwise good health, and those are favorable factors for recovery. I do not have details on the severity of Bernie's condition upon arrival, which is the other factor. Evidently an aneurism is not something that needs to be attended to within half an hour of happening; surgery is typically performed within 24 hours, so it is certainly possible that everything will be fine.
As any fan of Redemption, Agent Steel, Engine or Bernie's other projects knows, he is immensely talented. Those of us who know him can also attest that he is incredibly kind, gentle, humble, funny, giving and a dozen other adjectives. He has two beautiful children and a long-time girlfriend who need him. He has a lot of music left in him. He's also a fighter.
I would ask that those of you who consider yourselves religious, keep Bernie and his family in your prayers, and for those of you who are not religious, send positive thoughts. My hope is that I will be able to update you very soon and let you know that Bernie is recovering and doing well.
Thanks for you concerns.
Nick van Dyk
