He's been really sick over the course of the last year, off and on.
I told him he's been sick an unusual number of times and needed to see a doctor.

Finally a few days ago he went to the ER and they checked him in to the hospital.

Apparently he needs to have his gallbladder removed before it causes pancreatic complications, which could lead to cancer, diabetes, or death.

My sister didn't tell me until today, and she wouldn't have if I hadn't been trying to get a hold of him aand asked her if she had heard from him.