I WAS NEAR DEATH

Could Matthew Perry be any more grateful? The former Friends star, 49, who was rushed into surgery in August to repair a ruptured bowel, is finally opening up about his medical ordeal — and pals say it’s a miracle he survived. “He was battling infections, taking antibiotics through an IV and so weak he was totally bedridden,” reveals an insider. “Matt says it was the closest to death he’s ever come.” The actor has a long history of health problems: He dealt with alcohol addiction during the height of his TV fame, got hooked on opiates after a back injury in 1997 and was hospitalized with pancreatitis in 2000 before he checked into rehab and got sober in 2001. But now he’s hopeful there won’t be another close call. “Matthew’s just focusing on staying healthy and not pushing himself too hard,” the pal adds. “He knows he’s lucky to be alive.”★