Bret Michaels: I’m lucky to be alive

Bret Michaels feels "blessed" to be alive.

The rocker has been hit by a series of health problems in the past two years. Just days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in April 2010, Bret suffered a brain haemorrhage. He then spent more time in hospital with a small stroke. Earlier this year, he discovered he needed surgery to repair a hole in his heart.

Bret admits he is lucky to have survived through his health scares.

"It has been rough. But I'm feeling pretty damn good," he told People at the Orlando Hard Rock Café. "I'm really blessed to be here.

"It was one thing after another. It was like, 'What next?'"

Bret relied on his loved ones and his faith when he faced an uphill battle during his recovery. The 48-year-old musician has a deep belief in fate and feels he was destined to pull through.

"I thank a higher power that I am alive today," he explained as he pointed skyward. "It just wasn't my time to go. I know I'm still here for a reason. So, working with charities and helping others has become really important to me.

"[You got to] fight like hell. Half of the battle is mental, just having an attitude that you can beat the disease. But life is worth fighting for."

Bret has performed at several charity concerts this year. He recently appeared at a benefit for the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida.

Even though his image has softened recently, he still wants to be known as a hell-raising rocker.

"Shhh. Don't tell anyone," he laughed when asked if he is a better person now. "I need to keep up the mystique. I may be a nice guy, but I still like to rock."

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