Aretha Franklin: 'The Problem Has Been Resolved'
Ailing soul legend Aretha Franklin wants her fans to know she is "feeling great and coming along," but sees no need to address reports that she has been stricken with pancreatic cancer. "I am not going to even deal with that," she tells
JET magazine in her first interview since falling ill. "I don't have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors. The problem has been resolved."
Just what has been resolved is still unclear, and with Franklin taking a hard stance on what she's willing to divulge, fans may be left in the dark for quite a while longer.
"There are a lot of people who will talk about anything, as long as there is somebody listening," she says. "But I am not one of those people. That's not Aretha."
The 'Respect' singer, 68, said she remembers having a "very hard pain in my side" while singing in Toronto last year. She initially thought the pain was due to a colonoscopy she had a day or two before.
"I got up at 2 o'clock in the morning and called the doctor who did the colonoscopy and told him what was happening. He said, 'Miss Franklin, whatever it is, it is not from the colonoscopy. You need to come home and have a CAT-scan.' Thank God he said that because that unfolded everything, what the problem was and everything."
Before doctors finally found out what was wrong with her, Franklin recalls telling herself, "I know there is a problem, but these tests are showing nothing."
Franklin thanked her fans for all their prayers and cards and asked for continued privacy "as I continue to recover." And while her first words since getting sick come as a welcome surprise, fans eager to know more about what is wrong with her are sure to be worried.
"I know my fans are concerned. Let them know I am feeling great and coming along."
This is the first news on Franklin's condition since a "highly successful" surgery on Dec. 2. Earlier, she announced she was canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the order of her doctors. An unnamed family friend told a Detroit-area TV station that Franklin is battling some form of cancer. A National Enquirer report claimed she had been stricken with pancreatic cancer.
It was a difficult 2010 for Franklin. Her adult son Eddie was beaten by three men at a Detroit gas station in September. A month earlier, she broke her ribs in a fall, causing her to miss two free concerts in New York.
Franklin, born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, is the singer of hits like 'Respect,' 'Chain of Fools' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.'
Mad Men: 'Chevy Is Spelled Wrong!'
Thank Al Pacino for Pretty Woman
Add a comment
Thank God! Battle on Ms. Franklin!
Reply
Cancer of the pancreas is a killer.Guess she cant handle the truth.
I am glad to read that she is better. I always liked her.
Reply
Glory to God, God Bless You , Aretha, Ree, Ree
Reply
You forgot, "Hallelujah!"
Pancreatic cancer is not surviveable, despite the denials and hype. Patrick Swayze managed to live with it for two years, the longest I've ever heard of.
Reply
vERY happy that Ms. franklin is doing well. But the chit chat at our dinner table is not her medical problem. What is ailing her is HER BUSINESS, and i personally don't care or need to know.
Let's wish her the best for 2011 - PEACE & Health !
Reply
So much for Hippa Laws....
Reply
She had the stomach operation, trying to take some of the 200 extra weight she has put on over the years eating all those cheese burgers.
I am very happy to hear that Re is feeling better. Her illness is her business. I always liked her style, and of course singing. She is a smart lady. God's speed to full recovery, Aretha!
Reply
Talk about being in denial!!! IF it IS pancreatic cancer, her days are sadly numbered.
Reply
All of our days are sadly numbered......your point?????
I honestly don't think this is a matter of denial, but rather her wanting some privacy. Just because Ms. Franklin's life is in the public eye doesn't mean that she wants her business bandied about as if we (the public) have a right to know it. We know she's seriously ill and that's all we, as her fans, have a right to know. I say God bless her and let's move on. It is, from the looks of it, what she wants.
One of a kind voice, keep the faith, get well, peace be with you.
Reply
She has every right to want her privacy, but when everyone knows she was hospitalized with a serious condition, what's the big deal, or shall we just wait for the obit? If she does have cancer, she has all the money for help; she is so obese and older that it does not help. And if it is pancreatic cancer, she will be gone fast; unless she gets lucky and lives a year or two like Luciano P and Patrick S. So much depends on what is the truth because there is no way in hell she is healthy at that weight and her age. Maybe she had her stomach stapled because that is the only thing that will help, if any, unless it is pancreatic cancer. Aretha, time to redo your will and choose a beautiful casket.
Reply
I have loved her songs since the (60)sixties. She is great.
PS: If only she loose a few pounds. It will go a long way. Keep the faith. Luv Ya.
Reply
Wow. Why would you post something like this. I hope no one in your family is stricken with this illness. Unbelievable!! SMH!
Reply
sad but true. my father lived 4 months with it. even younger people dont survive
Reply
Maybe she should lay off of the lard sandwichs and the lard shakes.
Reply
Aretha stop eating so much! Thats the problem! Go on a snickers diet Queen of Soul!
Reply