Paralympian Hunter Woodhall Undergoes Emergency Surgery During Dad's Open Heart Procedure

Paralympian Hunter Woodhall is currently recovering after an unexpected emergency surgery, which occurred while he visited his dad, Steve Woodhall. His father was undergoing open heart surgery at the time.

On March 4, Hunter shared insights about his visit via Instagram Stories. He posted a photo from the hospital room, saying, "Came to Utah to spend time with my dad after his open heart surgery. Yesterday I had horrible stomach pain; turns out I have to get [my] appendix removed. So, we will be recovering together."

The 26-year-old later posted a photo on the way to surgery. In a subsequent update video, he confirmed that the procedure "went well." With a sense of humor, he remarked, "I’m straight. I didn’t need that appendix anyways."

Hunter, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, recounted the experience in a March 5 video. He credited his Oura ring for alerting him to a health issue that day. Earlier, he had consumed a blue cheese salad after trying on some clothes for practice.

Hunter explained, "I got COVID before the Paralympics [last year], which caused an unusual lactose intolerance." Initially, he believed the discomfort was due to the cheese. However, the subsequent pain escalated significantly.

The next morning, he noticed alert notifications on his health ring showing elevated "resting heart rate and body temperature." Recognizing the pain in his right abdomen, he researched appendicitis symptoms and found that they matched his condition.

Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors conducted a CT scan and confirmed his appendix was enlarged. In the video, Hunter showed off his "three new incision" scars and revealed that his dad was doing well post-surgery.

As Hunter recovers alongside his father, his wife Tara is preparing to join him. She recently announced that she booked a flight to Utah to support him during this time.

Earlier, SSP reported that Prince William visits the hospital where Kate Middleton was born to highlight healthcare charity efforts.