Lady A singer Charles Kelley revealed that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after visiting the doctor due to a series of rib fractures he sustained.
The 45-year-old shared the difficult news with his fans in a social media video posted on Tuesday that saw him and his wife, Cassie, sitting inside their home and addressing the camera.
Charles' health update
© Instagram"I just wanted to give a quick update on some health issues I'm dealing with," he began in the clip, before explaining that he had multiple tests run after presenting to the doctor with rib fractures.
"One of the last blood tests we did, they found a blood cancer in there called multiple myeloma," he said. "It's rare. But I'm young, I feel healthy, and the treatments, I will say, have just come so far even in the past five years, that even the life expectancy far exceeds what it used to be."
© Getty ImagesMultiple myeloma is a rare cancer that affects the plasma cells in the blood, and thanks to recent breakthroughs, the survival rate now exceeds 10 years.
"I feel really hopeful," he continued. "In the same spirit of the way we've shared a lot of my sobriety journey, just getting this stuff off your chest is so freeing, and it takes the power away from it a little bit. We wanted to let you all know what was going on, and we're gonna get through it."
Moving forward
Charles entered treatment for alcohol abuse in 2022 and has been sober ever since. "In sobriety it's all about one day at a time, and that we're not in control, so that's the way we're looking at it," the singer explained.
"I mean, right now, I feel great. We got a new record coming out soon with Lady A, and then we got Christmas shows, and this first six months of treatment, I believe, is not going to be too super invasive. I can still work. I think physically I will feel like myself. I'll have tough days, but I want to keep working."
© InstagramThe father of two added that he needed to be "doing what I love to do and spending and soaking up as much time with my family as I can as well".
Charles concluded with a message of hope for his fans. "I'm hopeful. I really am. But we just wanted to let you all know, and I'll try to let you in when I feel like it's appropriate throughout the journey. It's just another hurdle, and I feel confident that we're gonna get through it."
© Getty Images for ACMCassie gave a special shoutout to her husband's team of "really great doctors" in Nashville for their efforts. Charles' bandmates, Hillary Scott and David Haywood, took to the comment section of the video to share their support for the Grammy winner.
"The strongest duo right there! Love y'all so much! You've got this!" Hillary wrote, while David chimed in: "Covering you in prayer, brother. Love y'all. We're all here for you!"
