People
In December 2023, Michael Bolton got the news that no one wants to hear. He was told that he had a brain tumor, and he immediately underwent surgery to remove it.
The good news was that doctors were able to remove it all. The bad news is that it is glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
Even though doctors got it all, he spent the next ten months getting chemotherapy and radiation.
He told People that due to those treatments, his short-term memory, speech, and mobility have been impacted. To counteract that, the 72-year-old spends time with his three daughters and six grandchildren in Westport, Connecticut, meditates daily, golfs as much as he can, works with personal trainers, and uses a voice therapist to regain his voice.
“I find comfort in general more easily. [The whole experience] gives me a heightened sense of appreciation. It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life,” he told the magazine. “I think we develop capabilities and problem management, and we learn how to make the best out of a bad situation. You have to be a cheerleader for yourself.”
Since this form of cancer has a 90% recurrence rate, he has to get tested every two months to see if it has returned. Thankfully, he is still cancer-free.
But he knows there is a chance it could return. Because of that, “I want to keep going. I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side,” he says. “I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’” I pray he gets to record that song and perform it live for his fans.
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