In a recent interview on Good Morning America, beloved Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak candidly discussed his recent health scare, which led to emergency surgery. The longtime TV personality revealed that he had undergone a procedure to treat a blocked bowel—an ordeal that, for a moment, had him convinced he was at death’s door.

Sajak recalled the terrifying moment when excruciating pain struck during a simple morning walk with his daughter. The discomfort escalated so quickly that he was soon doubled over, in desperate need of medical attention. Despite receiving painkillers, nothing seemed to work—until doctors administered a powerful medication that brought instant relief.

But with that relief came an unexpected sensation. As the drug took effect, Sajak described feeling as if he had entered another world—one bursting with vivid colors and a profound sense of peace. He could hear his wife and daughter speaking, but their voices seemed distant. In that surreal moment, he thought to himself, “Is this death? Is this what it feels like?”

Thankfully, it wasn’t. Laughing about it now, Sajak admitted, “I was just high.” His doctors reassured him that there was no underlying condition behind the blockage, and his recovery has been smooth. In fact, he’s been feeling great for weeks and has already returned to the Wheel of Fortune studio, picking up right where he left off.

Ever the jokester, Sajak teased that he’s keeping a close eye on his co-host, Vanna White. After filling in for him briefly, she discovered she enjoys hosting, and he playfully quipped that she might be looking to steal his job. But for now, Sajak remains firmly at the helm, showing no signs of stepping down anytime soon.