Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, has undergone a life-saving operation that resulted in the amputation of part of his left leg. The 81-year-old former television lighting director is currently recovering in a hospital in the Philippines.
Emergency Surgery After Foot Turns Black
The medical crisis unfolded rapidly earlier this week. According to his son, Thomas Markle Jr., the elder Markle fell seriously ill at his home in the East Asian country, where he now permanently resides. He was rushed to a local hospital on Tuesday, December 2.
"My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black," Thomas Jr. revealed to the Daily Mail. "It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated."
A Life-or-Death Decision
On Wednesday, December 3, surgeons performed a three-hour operation at a hospital in Cebu, located in the south-central Philippines. The procedure aimed to remove a dangerous blood clot but ultimately necessitated the amputation of his left foot and lower leg, below the knee.
Thomas Markle Jr. stated there was no alternative, explaining, "There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death." Following the surgery, Mr. Markle was moved to the intensive care unit, where he remains in stable condition.
Critical Recovery Period Ahead
Medical professionals have indicated that the next few days are crucial for the 81-year-old's recovery. One of his doctors warned that the primary risk now is the potential for infection at the amputation site. "The next two or three days are critical as the leg could become infected," Thomas Jr. shared, relaying the doctor's assessment.
This health emergency occurs against the backdrop of a strained family relationship. Meghan Markle has been estranged from her father since 2018, the year she married Prince Harry and joined the British royal family. There is no current information on whether she has been informed of her father's condition or plans to visit.
The family is now focused on Thomas Markle's recovery as he battles through this serious health challenge far from his native United States.
