I often did the same thing to miss out of conference. In faking any illness it helps to throw up in front of over zealous family members, which is easy to do after watching Bedfart speak.
He has been sick for many years. I hope the bell tolls for him so that he can lay his sickly body down.
I have a soft spot for Elder Hales. Worked with him when I was in the LA 1st Ward Singles Branch back in the early-90's. He was very healthy back then. He was very kind and understanding (we had a number of homosexuals in the ward that felt ostracized) unlike some of the Q12 that seem to do better at pontificating and not connecting with the human experience. Despite being deluded by mormonology, I do respect him for his seemingly genuine nature. Good man - just misled by JS.