Renowned calypso icon Slinger Francisco, popularly known as Sparrow, is resting comfortably at a private hospital in Maryland, United States, after undergoing emergency surgery. According to a release, he suffered acute pain on the right groin. Francisco was released from hospital on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, it stated. Recently, Francisco suffered health problems during his not so perfect performance at the NAPA Fest, Port-of-Spain, last Sunday. He said it could be vertigo–a condition characterised by dizziness. A medical report was prepared by Dr Patricia Sandiford. She had administered emergency care and accompanied Francisco to the hospital after he suffered the attack while performing at a venue in Maryland on Saturday.
Sandiford was assisted by fellow doctors Jacinta Arrington and Roger Weir in administering emergency care at the venue. When he was stabilised, Sparrow was transported by ambulance to Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland, it stated. The release said: "Francisco was diagnosed with an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, which was reduced within six to eight hours," the release said. "He subsequently had emergency surgery performed by Dr George Conrad on Sunday at the same hospital." "He tolerated the procedure well and was in stable condition immediately after surgery. He was discharged on Monday."
Sparrow sings Sparrow Dead
Promoters Carlton Joseph and Fred Thornhill also prepared a release, in which they said Francisco had to be assisted off- stage during his performance at Kaiso on the Greens. Sparrow, Kurt Allen and Brown Boy, backed by the Troubadours, were performing there on Saturday night. Sparrow began his performance by joking about the latest rumour that he had gone to the great beyond. He kept up the momentum by singing two verses of Sparrow Dead. Still, fans noticed it was a more subdued Sparrow who performed from a seated position centre stage. Although he appeared to be physically weak, his humour was intact. His voice was strong and unmistakably Francisco's. He had the appreciative patrons on their feet dancing, waving and singing along.
Pain in groin
As his performance wound to a close, what was an almost unnoticed, the occasional clutching of Francisco's lower right side became a painful grimace. It brought his performance and the show to a premature end. Sparrow had to be assisted off-stage and taken into the house. A stunned and visibly shaken crowd waited for news of his condition. They wondered if what they had witnessed was the fulfilment of what was to date only a rumour. But aforementioned doctors who had been attending the show promptly administered emergency care. Francisco said: "The only thing is, I aint dead yet. Hallelujah." Kurt Allen and Brown Boy had earlier thrilled the audience with their performances. Brown Boy opened the show and had the crowd asking for more of his Dreaming.
Allen ensnared the audience with Foxes. Calypso archivist Alvin Daniell said as far as he understood the release was accurate. He said: "He was at his best although seated and had the crowd eating out of his hands...He was singing a nice repertoire. Allen noticed he was showing similar symptoms like what happened to Napa...I understand he is in fine spirits," Daniell added. "He is much better now. It would appear a lot of the pain might have come from that source and they have to wait and see if anything surfaces. We are hopeful this would be the end of his pain." Along with his son, Richard, Francisco had returned to his New York base. Upon arrival, he said his first order of business would be getting test results from his doctor Felix Oviasu, who is based at Long Island, New York. When contacted, his wife Margaret Francisco said: "We have nothing to add. Just go with the release."
