Howie's twitter has a pic of him in his hospital bed; he's on morphine. He called in during the first part of the show. VB filling in.
He had a "sleeve" put in, gastro surgery to help him lose weight
Had he not been wearing a seat belt the day after the election (rolled over his car on the Pike) he might not still be here. "Better strap yourself in" as Dana says in the intro.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8oB2GZIUAAL4IL.jpg
Howie will get out Sunday morning; nothing to eat or drink today, not even water